'I told him that I thought the sentence was a joke,' Erika Rose said. 'That I thought the judge gave him a slap on the wrist for killing my brother.'
DALLAS — Erika Rose wears a necklace, an angel wing pendant made with her brother's ashes and engraved with the words"I loved and was deeply loved." It brings her comfort. did not bring her three years after her brother's death.Danny Ortiz was two months shy of his 30th birthday when he neared the intersection of Duncanville Road and Ranchero Lane. The single father of three was on his motorcycle.
The accident happened in May of 2020. After multiple delays, including the COVID shutdown of cases at the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas, the case finally went to court in August 2023. Although sentences for a conviction of intoxication manslaughter range from two to 20 years in prison, in a non-jury trial Judge Tina Clinton sentenced Bryan Lee Howard to six months in a prison alcohol treatment program.
"I told him that I thought the sentence was a joke," Erika Rose said of her victim impact statement she was allowed to give in court on the day of the sentence."That I thought the judge gave him a slap on the wrist for killing my brother.
"To the extent any message gets out from this case, they should also see how he has demonstrated and how he has addressed it in a responsible, sorrowful way," said Smith.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Texas auto workers rally for UAW strike demandsOn day twelve of the auto workers’ strike North Texas auto workers organized a caravan and rally in solidarity with those demanding change.
Read more »
Girl, 8, shot to death by another child at a North Texas home, authorities sayThe circumstances of how the child possessed the gun, which was recovered at the scene, are under investigation.
Read more »
Travis King, U.S. soldier who ran to North Korea, is headed to TexasU.S. officials thanked Sweden and China for help securing the release of the 23-year-old Army private, who went to North Korea in July.
Read more »
Former President Donald Trump to hold a North Texas fundraiser for 2024 bid: reportHere’s when he’ll be in DFW.
Read more »
North Texas families, nonprofits could be impacted by government shutdownIf politicians in Washington, DC, cannot reach an agreement and the government shuts down, it will have ripple effects right here in North Texas.
Read more »