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Ark woman gets 6-month in jail for work zone death


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Updated: 6/07/2012 7:54 am Published: 6/07/2012 7:53 am

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A Washington County Circuit Court judge has sentenced a woman to six months in jail in connection with the death of a city worker.

Jo Jackson pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor negligent homicide and third-degree battery as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Judge William Storey also placed Jackson on year of probation.

The Northwest Arkansas Times reports that Jackson was driving her car into a construction zone on Sept. 21 when she struck Jackie Luper and another city employee who were preparing to work on Joyce Boulevard. Luper died the following day.

A toxicology report determined that a prescription sleeping drug, Zolpidem, was detected in Jackson's system soon after the accident.

Jackson's attorney, W.H. Taylor, told the judge Jackson had taken Zolpidem shortly before the accident.


 

©2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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sickofthissht - 6/7/2012 6:31 PM
1 Vote
sick of this crap. life is not valued anymore! taking a life is a misdemeanor? killing a dam dog is a felony. this is so sickening i want to scream. where is justice anymore? where is someone being held responsible for their actions. i am so confused by this, a man died!!!!!! who cuts a plea bargaing deal for that? 6 months? be very ashamed arkansas these are the people we elected accepting these deals. a prosecutor can recommend a judge doesnt have to accept

ArkansasYankee - 6/7/2012 1:12 PM
0 Votes
6 months for killing someone! And she will probably get out earlier than that. Plea bargain? Are you kidding me? I wonder; if the prosecutor or the judge had a family member killed by someone; would they "plea bargain"; would the sentence be a slap on the wrist? Just curious. Someone must know someone somewhere in this story to get off that light for killing a man. It's like when someone pulls out in front of a biker, or turns in front of them, and kills them by their idiotic driving habits. They use the same old excuse; I didn't see him. Well, if you can't see me when I'm on my Harley, then please, stay off the road!

writergal - 6/7/2012 10:31 AM
3 Votes
I recently moved back to Arkansas to retire "back home." I've noticed that offenders here get "slaps on the wrist" for crimes that would get hefty terms in some other states, like Arizona. Why are judges here so afraid to get tough on crime and maybe reduce the number of repeat offenders??? Arkandas jails seem to have "swinging doors" as the same offenders go in and out!

backinaction - 6/7/2012 9:42 AM
3 Votes
The fact that someone gets behind the wheel under the influence, no matter what it is, drugs, booze, pills, etc., it is the same as walking around with a loaded gun with your finger on the trigger. Our justice system is so far behind in the times. It needs to be totally revamped. This prosecutor, along with a lot of other prosecutors, should have the licenses revoked for offering these plea deals. I am sick of the old excuse that plea deals save tax dollars. When these criminals get a slap on the wrist, get out of jail (if they even go) and commit more crimes, it costs us more tax dollars.

ArkMother - 6/7/2012 8:36 AM
9 Votes
How is negligent homicide a misdemeanor? This man lost his life because she got behind the wheel after taking a sleeping pill. What was so important that she had to get into her car and drive after taking medicine to make her go to sleep? This ruling is beyond unbelievble! 6 months in jail and 1 year probation. Ridiculous!
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