hometownannapolis.com
GLEN BURNIE (Anne Arundel County), Maryland -- Nobody in the courtroom wanted to send Luis Lopez to jail.
Guilty of killing his brother-in-law in a September 2006 car wreck, the illegal immigrant spent the past year building decks to help his victim's family pay their bills.
But the nature of the case - the fact he was driving drunk and without a driver's license Sept. 9 when Raul Pelaez died on the side of a Glen Burnie road - demanded punishment, Circuit Court Judge William C. Mulford said.
"I recognize you had no intent or desire to kill your friend, however, he is still dead and you are responsible," the judge said yesterday before sending Lopez - a father of eight - to jail for the next 18 months.
Judge Mulford recommended Lopez, who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter Aug. 2, be placed on work release so he can continue to support the two families.
Posted by tyne at November 10, 2007