DUI Driver Has To Carry Picture Of Dead Victim...

[hntngirl]

Butler driver told to carry photo of victim lying in his coffin

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

By Karen Kane, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rosellen Clark Moller could have picked a picture of her son on his wedding day or a candid of his smiling face.

Instead, she chose a picture of his lifeless body lying in his casket.

That was the picture she wanted Jennifer Dawn Langston to carry in her wallet for the next five years -- and in her heart and mind for the next 50.

And, despite the objections of Langston's attorney, Moller will have her way.

Butler County Judge George Hancher ruled yesterday that Langston, 27, of Cabot, is required to carry the picture of Glenn Clark "as provided" throughout the five-year term of her probation on charges from the June 15, 2002, traffic accident that claimed Clark's life and put his wife, Annette, in a coma.

Hancher is the same judge who, on Nov. 7, approved Langston's unusual plea agreement with the Butler County district attorney's office. The agreement specified that Langston serve 30 days in jail and six months on work-release house arrest, but it attached a series of special conditions to her probation that amounted to what some have called public shaming.

Among the conditions were requirements that Langston carry a picture of Clark in her wallet at all times; perform community service at a nursing facility that cares for trauma victims like Annette Clark; send a monthly check for $50 to the Clarks' baby who was born while Annette Clark was in a coma; and write letters of apology to Glenn Clark's family and the Mars Area School District where he was employed as a wrestling coach and gym teacher.

In his brief ruling yesterday, Hancher said Langston "shall carry the picture of Glenn Clark as provided."

"We've finally won something," said Moller, who lives in Greenville, Mercer County.

Langston's attorney, Michael Sherman, was astounded.

"This makes no sense. Requiring Jennifer to carry a picture like that defeats the whole purpose if the purpose is to look and remember. Who in their right mind will look at such a picture?" Sherman said.

From Moller's perspective, the picture may be morbid but it's on point.

"That's where she put him -- in a casket. That's what she did for him. I'd just shut my mouth if I was her," she said.

The issue was raised last week during a hearing on a related matter. Langston asked the judge to reduce the $20,000 payment she was ordered to make to the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Compensation Fund. There's been no decision on that requested modification.

During the hearing, Sherman told the court that when Langston went to the adult probation office, it had given her the picture of Clark in his casket.

"As anyone would expect, it was very upsetting," he said.

Sherman said he expected the court to allow the picture to be switched.

"I left thinking there was no problem," he said.

In fact, District Attorney Tim McCune had said during the court proceeding he had no objection to the picture being changed. McCune had no comment yesterday on the judge's ruling.

Moller said she didn't want to switch pictures. She had been asked by the probation office to provide one for Langston and she picked the one she wanted Langston to have.

"It's what I don't want her to forget," she said.

The initial court order hadn't specified the type of picture Langston was to carry, just that she carry one. The latest order from Hancher makes it clear, however, that she's to carry the one she was provided.

Moller said she remains angry over the sentence Langston received for causing the accident that killed her son and left her daughter-in-law in an irreversible coma.

Langston got behind the wheel of her truck on June 15, 2002, after she had been drinking, and, while talking on a cell phone and speeding, she veered into the oncoming lane and crashed into the Clarks' car.

Though Langston had admitted consuming some alcohol prior to the accident, McCune told the court he could not prove she was drunk at the time of the crash because nearly two hours had elapsed between the crash and the time Langston's blood alcohol level was tested. Though the reading showed she was legally intoxicated -- her level was 0.11 at a time when anyone registering 0.10 was considered to be legally drunk in Pennsylvania -- it couldn't be used against her.

Langston is the mother of two daughters, 8 and 11. She works at an optical lens company in Clinton.

[hntngirl]

"That's where she put him -- in a casket. That's what she did for him. I'd just shut my mouth if I was her," she said.

Sounds right to me!

[Big Country]

Dang, what a sad story.

Drinking and driving just don`t mix.

I know some guys from Cabot. In fact I will be shooting with them tonight.

[BenGarrett]

ORIGINAL: hntngirl
During the hearing, Sherman told the court that when Langston went to the adult probation office, it had given her the picture of Clark in his casket.

"As anyone would expect, it was very upsetting," he said.

As upsetting, say, as the mother getting a call that her son was killed and daughter-in-law in a coma because of this idiot? The woman got off extremely light. She should be thankful and move on. If justice were still justice in this country, she would still be in jail.

[fng]

We have a story right now in Wisconsin of a guy who was cranked up on Cocaine and killed someone -- DARN, the law doesn't cover that as an intoxicating substance. So instead of 50 years, he's doing 6 months.

Warms the cockles of my heart.

Personally I want cell phone users to be shot on site, but then again chatting on the phone is socially acceptable -- RIGHT?
They kill 4X the number of people.....

[akbound]

I think the sentence fits the crime....(unless she'd rather go to jail for manslaughter...at a minimum)! I can't believe that the "killer's" lawyer should act shocked because his client will be "publicly humiliated". She should be. She killed someone because of her "carelessness"....it wasn't an accident. She should feel mortified...not only humiliated.

If I was the victim's family....I could care less about how the driver felt. She should have thought about her behavior, (and possible consequences), prior to acting in an unacceptable manner!

Maybe next time she will! (My heart goes out to the victims and their families....not the driver.)

[Red Hawk]

That's sad what happen but i think its in the right for the lady to have to carry a picture of the guy she killed.

Personally I want cell phone users to be shot on site, but then again chatting on the phone is socially acceptable -- RIGHT?
They kill 4X the number of people.....

Its ironic that you mention about cell phones. There was an fatal accident just a few days ago out here that involved the driver being discracted (sorry on my poor spelling) with cell phone, and T-boned a car pulling out. The person with cell wasn't seriously hurt but the crash killed the lady in the other car.

[Clint.]

This is a sad story. Booze, yeah. Cell phones, yeah.
But you know, I have seen people shaving with an electric razor while driving with one eye and looking in the rear view mirror with another.
I have seen people on the interstate going 75 mph while reading a road map.
I have seen people driving along while reading their newspaper and resting it on the steering wheel.

My home is on a state highway.
I cannot tell you how many beer bottles I pick up annually on my lawn.
The frightening thing though....is the number of empty quart liquor bottles I pick up off my lawn. I cannot imagine someone driving down the highway while drinking a quart of liquor.
Slowly, I have come to believe that no amount of alcohol should be allowed in the bloodstream of someone while they drive.
There is just no excuse for being irresponsible.

Clint

[t roy]

sounds like maybe the mother didnt feel the defendant didnt feel any remorse and doesnt want her to forget; sounds fair to me.

[JagMagMan]

It does'nt sound fair ENOUGH!
As usual though, the criminals rights are above the victims rights, or thats the way they think it should be!
I'm glad the judge didn't change things in this case, except maybe she should have to carry the picture the rest of her life instead of just five years!
Her victim is dead for the rest of her life!