Martinelly Sentenced in DUI that Killed Nun
Carlos Martinelly Montano was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the case that prompted calls for stricter immigration enforcement.
Carlos Martinelly Montano was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday for the drunk-driving accident that killed a Prince William County nun and sparked controversy over immigration enforcement.
Martinelly was convicted in October of felony murder and faced a sentence of up to 70 years in prison. The judge gave the lower 20-year sentence after acknowledging Martinelly's testimony of finding God in prison, WTOP reports.
Martinelly had been arrested twice before for drunk driving and turned over to the Department of Homeland Security for deportation as an illegal immigrant, but DHS released him. Prince William County has sued DHS to make available documents related to Martinelly's release.
“It is frustrating that we as a local government must resort to suing the Federal Government to get information which the public has a right to know and which is vital to our law enforcement efforts," County Chairman Corey Stewart said at the time.
Jan Cunard
5:33 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Gees, I can't believe the judge fell for that "I found God" line. Why is s/he still allowed on the bench?
Fred Van Doren
6:32 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Maybe the nun is whispering in the judges ear: forgive him, for he knows not what he has done.
Kris Day
9:43 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
It's also frustrating that our tax dollars are now going to pay for this illegal immigrant's housing, food and allowance for the next 20 years.
Fair and Just
11:21 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
I don't see how his status as an undocumented immigrant should make you frustrated. Regardless of one's legal status in this country, whether you are a US Citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented, everyone should do time for their crime. Equal treatment.
Pretty sure if he was deported, he would be a free man.
Marie McClanahan
11:00 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
I agree !!!!! Our tax money being used for an illegal immigrant who has had more than 1 DUI before the death of the Nun. Sorry system !!!
Dwayne & Mary Moyers
7:21 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
20 years of feeding and housing a prisoner who shouldn't have been in our country to commit crime. Nothing good comes from open borders and unchecked immigration violations.
Marie McClanahan
1:39 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Fair & Just - We are frustrated because his status means he never worked in a job that paid taxes. The fact he had at least 1 other DUI means our court system failed us again. He should have been deported at that time or become an American citizen.
JustTheFacts
8:15 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
I believe "an eye for eye" punishment is suitable. That way we don't have to pay and he doesn't get to go free.
marty jones
9:49 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
let the families decide punishment...their the ones who need closure...do not deport tho because he will sneak back in in a month and be back on the road.
Fred Van Doren
10:50 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
No one really seems to notice that the more you run from something the more it follows you back to confront you again in various forms. The "fear of other" is insidious right now and to have a healthy society, it needs to be looked at. Radical ideology is the projection of that fear into society. Compromise on any issue is impossible with this fear present. Until the individuals of any society decide that with compromise, the society is stronger all you get is people screaming at each other in their own little echo chamber. What one fights against is an idea that they keep in their head and luckily, ideas can change.
JJ
4:44 pm on Sunday, February 5, 2012
USA is a lazy bunch of cowards... What has happened to our country? This man broke the law by living here, a couple of DUI's and we let him go to drink again and kill someone? It's time this people leave our country.