In a closely watched and widely reported case, a mother narrowly escaped prison time for putting her four children in harm's way by jaywalking, as one of her children didn't escape to safety but perished in a hit-and-run, as reported by MSNBC and other sources.
Single mother, R.N., was facing a longer incarceration than the man that had killed her four year-old son. Instead, she was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, 12 months probation and the option of a new trial by the Cobb County State Court.
David Savoy, R.N.'s attorney, said that his client "wants to proceed" with a new trial.
R.N. had received several supportive gestures during her trial: Witnesses, e-mails and a petition - garnering in excess of 140,000 signatures within a 48-hour window - were all asking that she be spared jail time.
Witnesses included her therapist, a teacher from her children's school and her brother. Letters were introduced from her father, her boss and a staff member at a school she attended.
Finally the e-mails were introduced, showing their support - even emails addressed to the judge herself.
R.N. had been found guilty of second-degree vehicular homicide, reckless conduct and failure to use a crosswalk on July 12 for an incident that occurred on April 10, 2010.
Getting off of a bus in Marietta, and trying to cross a four lane-highway without the benefit of a crosswalk, they encountered a van driven by J.G.
J.G. drove into the family. He killed R.N.'s 4 year-old child, A.J.N., in the process.
R.N. and her younger daughter suffered minor injuries, her older daughter was unhurt.
J.G. then fled the scene.
J.G. had two prior hit-and-run convictions.
For this incident, in which he pleaded guilty, he was ordered to serve six months in prison.
He was released on October 29 and is currently serving a five year probation.
R.N. was facing more than six months in prison - she was looking at 36 months.
In a live televised interview, R.N. said, "I've had to accept that he's gotten six months. There's nothing I can do about it. Even though he has had a history of it, I know that nobody gets up that day and says, 'I'm going to kill a 4-year-old.' I've had to forgive that portion of it. However, I think to come after me so much harder than they did him, it's a slap in the face. This will never end for me."
Attorney Mark Schwartz told media, "Miss (R.N.) was shown no sympathy whatsoever by the system. This will live with her forever."
J.G. admitted to his lawyer that he had consumed alcohol, and pain medication, earlier on the day of the accident. He is also partially blind in one of his eyes.
Two earlier hit-and-run convictions occurred more than 10 years ago, in February of 1997, and he was given a two year prison sentence. He was released after serving less than a year.
Are you facing criminal charges in an event that has been misconstrued as your fault? Contact a criminal defense attorney for help mounting your case today!
