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StumbleWoman gets up to 24 years in double fatal DUI crash
Published Tuesday, June 8, 2010 | 12:35 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, June 8, 2010 | 2:16 p.m.
Anita Mann
Sun Archives
- Woman, 19, pleads guilty in DUI crash that killed 2 (4-6-10)
- Woman, 19, pleads not guilty in suspected DUI crash that killed 2 (3-23-10)
- Woman, 19, accused in fatal DUI crash indicted (3-10-10)
- Hearing set for woman, 19, accused of DUI in fatal crash (2-24-10)
- Woman accused of DUI in fatal crash pleads not guilty in separate wreck (2-17-10)
- Woman, 19, arrested for DUI in crash that kills 2 (2-16-10)
A 19-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to driving drunk and causing a crash in February that killed two people was sentenced Tuesday to six to 24 years in prison.
Wearing a jail jumpsuit and in shackles as she stood in a Clark County courtroom, Anita Mann turned to the victims' family members and tearfully apologized and asked for forgiveness "for the pain and suffering I caused your mom and each and every one of you. I pray for each of you guys every day."
Mann was charged in connection with the Feb. 16 crash on Horizon Ridge Parkway that killed Karen Hicks and Louis Madden, both 65, of Henderson. Police said Mann's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was .26, which would have been more than three times the legal limit for a drinker of legal age.
At the time she was arrested, Mann was a private first class in the Nevada National Guard. She graduated from Foothill High School in 2008.
In April, Mann waived her right to a preliminary hearing and trial and pleaded guilty to the charges.
After turning and speaking to the victims' families in the courtroom Tuesday, Mann also turned to her own parents and told them she was sorry she had let them down. She then turned back to face District Court Judge Valorie J. Vega.
"Your honor, I know I'm going to prison. And I know I deserve to because what I did was bad. There was no need to take it to trial because I take full responsibility. There was no need to cause any more pain and suffering than I already did," Mann said, crying.
"I'm already trying to make better the situation by educating people not to drink and drive," Mann said, referring to being interviewed for a drunk driving story on a local television station.
"Your honor, I'm not a bad person, I just made a very bad mistake," Mann said. "... This is my first time I've been in trouble. And it will be my last time in trouble. I can promise you that. And also that I will never, ever drink again. So, I ask you, your honor, for forgiveness and just to do what is fair."
Vega sentenced Mann to three to 12 years each on two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol. The sentences will run consecutively.
"There are a lot of tears in this room," Vega said before announcing the sentence. "This is neither a maximum case nor a minimum case. Two lives were tragically taken and there must be consequences."
Before the sentencing, several family members of the victims took the witness stand and spoke how much their lives had changed with the loss of their relatives. They also submitted letters to the judge.
Veronica Luby, who lost her mother, Karen Hicks, in the crash, had asked the judge to hand down the maximum sentence possible for Mann.
"After hearing everything in there, I guess I feel that it was a fair sentence," Luby said later, outside the courtroom. "I have a daughter close to her age."
Tara Stevenson, Louis Madden's daughter, said in her statement to the judge that Mann made unwise choices and there needed to be consequences.
"I'm OK with the sentence," Stevenson said later outside the courtroom.
"Even though our family and the Lubys are grieving, I could see how difficult it was for her (Anita Mann's) family, as well," Stevenson said. "I have a daughter. And I thought if that was my daughter, how difficult it would be. I do feel sorrow for her. She's going to be in jail for a while and I hope that she can take this tragedy and return and do something good with it and help others see how tragic drinking and driving can be."
Brian Kochevar, Clark County's chief deputy district attorney, talked to family members outside the courtroom and explained the sentences. He told them the sentence was fair, but it was never going to provide them with total solace they were looking for -- it was a grieving process that would happen over time. Kochevar encouraged family members who had not done so to get counseling and to contact his office if they needed help finding counselors.
Kochevar said he thought it was fair that Mann would have to serve a minimum sentence of six years and a maximum sentence of 24 years.
"As the judge indicated, it's not a maximum case, it's not a minimum case," Kochevar said. "You had a young woman who made a tragic decision that took the lives of two wonderful people. There has to be consequences. It's not somebody who's been convicted multiple times in the past of driving drunk. Unfortunately, on this occasion when she chose to drive drunk, she took the lives of two innocent victims."
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Six years what a joke. Time to elect a new DA. Rogers is weak.
It makes me laugh at how our men and women in uniform act and how they preach to "underclass" citizens how to act. I remember a while back a Henderson Officer was arrested for DUI.
Wow!!!!! 6 - 24 years, what a freaking JOKE!!! That girl should be in jail the rest of her life. She killed two people!!!!!!!!!!! Our government needs to crack down on these idiots who think its cool to drink and drive. This girl destroyed that couples children and grandchildrens lives, because she was too dang lazy to call a taxi or have someone drive her home! This is why the age limit for drinking is at 21! teenagers are morons!!!!
It was more than negligence but less than malicious conduct.
you think she thinks it's cool now? 24 years is no joke, but 6 is rather light.
Re:mikey89032 It makes me laugh that you would make such an asinine comment, someones mother didn't show them enough attention. I feel for you mikey89032, maybe it's time to get the big chip off your puny shoulder!
Wasn't this girl in another hit and run accident moments before she hit and killed these 2 people? What about that case? Her sentence was way too light.
May be a drunk will kill one of the Judges relatives then we will see what the sentence would be
This story isn't about the evils of drunk driving. It's about the evils of consuming alcohol, period. Defiling the human body, the Temple of God, is a sin and consequences follow.
I know of no drunks that don't suffer consequences of any kind due to drinking alcohol, or abusing drugs, legal or illegal.
Abstinence is what the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to partake. Obey and live cleanly is his commandment.
I think this is a joke,
I am a hardcore drinker, BUT HAVE NOT DRIVEN IN 26 YEARS to this date, it took me 3 DUI'S in Ca. to stop drinking and driving, now don't get me wrong, I still drink, and get wasted, BUT WILL NOT DRIVE, I am too scared of Killing someone (I don't care about myself, nor would I feel anything!) AND RUINING THEIR LIFE,
I just hope some will read these articles and responses to TRY and AVOID this in the future.
I was 19 on my first DUI, 23 on my 2nd, and 24 on my 3rd, and yes I went to jail, THAT WAS THE END FOR ME, AS FAR AS DRINKING AND DRIVING.
Cabs are the way to go if you get wasted, big deal, it cost $40,50,60 or even $100 to go home, but think about how safe you make the road for everyone.
ITS NOT COOL TO DRINK AND DRIVE, GETA ROOM, OR TAKE A CAB!!!
I hope I did not offend anyone in anyway on this site.
Tom in Ca.
Uh, maybe you should drink less, Tom.
GoingBust,
WHY?,because you say to (LOL) I am self employed, have 15 employees, and hiring 3 more next week, I own 2 homes, PAID FOR, so why should I give up drinking, WHY to satisfy "JESUS" FREAKS!, TO EACH IS OWN, REMEMBER THAT PHRASE!
OK, she got what she deserved and I think she should have gotten more, BUT:
How come we're not allowed to comment on this article in the SUN? Censorship at it's finest you liberal whack jobs!
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun...
The liberal bias judicial system scores another point for not doing their due diligence and putting this freak away for life.
Between now and 24 years she'll become somebody's little girl toy in the system and wish her sentence was harsher than it given. She'll get the crap beat out of her, she'll become their best toy, and she'll come out a career criminal that we'll end spending a few more million on over her lifetime.
And we wonder what's wrong in America today and how the liberal bias judicial system is screwing us over daily with their socialist agenda and wasted programs.
"How come we're not allowed to comment on this article in the SUN?"
Probably because it's an AP article. The RJ does it too.
pierre - jesus was a man and god is a myth. the bible is a very nice fairy tale. she'll serve 10 or so years (hopefully), live the rest of her life then die... end of story, no judgement day, no afterlife.
yodiracer -- because it's an AP story, not a LV Sun story, you fruitloop.
Thanks for the clarification adam1885282. I did't notice that it was an AP article. I guess that makes it OK for the Sun to not allow comments. Might upset their liberal following if a Republican Conservative were to voice their opinion! Oh! and be careful what you copy and paste from the RJ/Sun as a friend of mine was just sued by them (along with 34 other people) for copying and pasting articles from the RJ into forum/board comments.
PierreBeauRegard : Get REAL...You make me laugh...
Look at TOMHEIN...Lucky for him he didn't kill anyone getting to this point in time in his life. But I commend him for being strong enough to see his way and decide NOT to drive drunk from that point on. He paid for his wrong and I believe he is very grateful everyday he took no one with down in the process. Good going TOMHEIN.
I agree Good Job TOMHEIN! Keep it up!
6 to 24 years don't seem nearly enough for killing 2 innocent people. 24 to 50, maybe. Life, definitely.
My family member killed another driver because of his terrible decision to drink and drive. He is now sharing his story to prevent further tragedies like these ones from occurring. It the Matt Maher Story. www.themattmaherstory.com
I only know teenagers who refer to drinking too much meaning "getting wasted"...
Grow up.
"Abstinence is what the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to partake. Obey and live cleanly is his commandment."
PierreBR -- your god is irrelevant here.
"After coming into contact with a religious man I always feel I must wash my hands." -- Friedrich Nietzsche, Ecce Homo, "Why I Am a Destiny" (1888)
I'm down with PierreBeauRegard's points listed above, except the religious part at the end of his comment..
no issues with religious people...just keep it to yourself.
Tomhein if you lived in Vegas you would find it's almost impossible To get a cab to come residential. Like you I do not drink and drive,not even one.And because that cab wont come the restaurant or bar or casino does not get my money.Good economic sense Vegas.
It is a sad situation all around. I hate waste. Two lives essentially wasted over twelve dollars in booze, beer, and immaturity.
I believe this young woman is remorseful, but prison is a sanctuary for the remorseful. The prison populace has time to heal and forget their immediate sorrow. They have time to rationalize their crimes and put a distance between themselves and their victims. The system rehabilitates and returns these outcasts to society, but it is a crapshoot from there whether they return to prison or not.
One thing is for sure, the victim's families will never speak to their loved ones again, they will never hug them again, they will never forget this woman, or the waste of it all.
Most of these military people are big boozers, there is a higher crime rate among veterans than civilians who didn't serve. The idea that military service builds character is bogus.
I wonder if this will help Angle since she is for prohibition.
I wonder if the judge was elected or appointed?If elected we as voters need to send our message of what we think come election time.
Once you pass thru early adulthood, drinking to excess shouldn't happen. People getting "wasted" who are past their 30's are children. Grow up. Most like a nice drink here or there but sitting down guzzling drink after drink after drink...gimme a break.
She screwed up royally. Whoever was with her (if coherent) should have tried to stop her. Drinking 3 times the limit?
Everything in moderation. people need to realize the right thing is not necessarily calling a cab, just don't drink like a fool in the first place
ONLY IN LAS VEGAS..THIS IS A HILLBILLY TOWN.. THERE ARE NO LAWS.. 2 people DIE..WHAT A SHAME.. and the JUDGE gives the Driver ONLY 6 years in JAIL..WE HAVE TO VOTE THIS JUDGE OUT...
How many years did Ted Kennedy get?
I hope that many of you don't ever make a mistake because, as many have stated, if you do you never deserve forgiveness or to be out of jail.
Pierre,...keep your religion to yourself. Thank you.
Tom Hein, I respect that. I'm just hoping a buddy of mine who did a year for multiple DUIs doesn't get back behind the wheel when he gets his license back.
And "usecommonsense" if you think this is such a "hillbilly town" then why don't you take your own advice, use common sense and get the F out!
Just recently out here, a young man, I believe 19 years old, killed 3 people while driving drunk. He got 25 years. Period.
D U I = Driving under the influence - The influence of what? or could it be whom ? people should be informed when drunk they are not themselves. In fact they are POSSESED by a DEMON called ALCOHOL. ANITA MANN didn't even blame the demon, she took full responsibility said how sorry she was to the family's, and told the judge VEGA: TO JUDGE HER FAIRLY! THE JUDGE DID AS I SEEN IT! ALL you blood for blood eye for eye LYNCH MOB SEND HER TO HELL people, must have terrible lives.And hope when you yourselves find yourselves in trouble are judged the harsh way,- you wanted Anita to be. You should be ashamed,but ain't cause you'r evil...I can't believe all the hate some had to say. I command the good ,an compassionable people that wrote to this POST A COMMENT!--CAN YOU BE BELEAVE SOME EVEN HAD BAD WORD'S FOR THE JUDGE. JUST goes to show you who's who? I'd love to hear a comment on mine good or bad PLEASE SHOOT IT!
This is the closing to a terrible situation, bad decisions made ,innocent people killed, accepting the responsibility, and being judged for the crime, sentenced for the crime. Now it is up to Anita to see what she will do with this experience in her life, I hope she never takes another drink of alchohol in her life.
THANK YOU -to--fedup2here.....>As for Kuntekente PRISON LIFE IS NO JOKE 6 YEARS of trying live with all the POLITICS TRUE HARD CRIMINALS AND EVIL IS a feat the only thing I'm shocked is your nero mind of things you know nothing about....SHOOT IT....!
The only good that can come out of this is awareness to other underage and legal age drinkers is that it is not in your best interest to drink and drive..Maybe Anita will do some good somewhere down the line,, after being released from prison... This should be a lesson to every one that thinks its ok to drink and drive...
tomysandoval " were you drunk when you wrote your comments?...sure sounds like it,just a bunch of garble...
One point that most of you aren't looking at: Anita Mann pled GUILTY. She took full responsibility for her act and didn't waste the time and money of the taxpayers' like so many losers out there! I hate drunk driving with a passion and feel there should be stiff penalties for taking a life. I feel anyone that does this and has no remorse should be fried. On the other hand, this was a different case than most. She was remorseful, pled guilty and has tried to do something to prevent others from doing it.That's the only reason I have any sympathy for her. She should do time for the crime for sure but don't forget she's not a career criminal with 3 dui's under her belt. Let's hope that she will use this tragedy for good to educate people and prevent others from dying.
As for the posters on here that hate Las Vegas so much, there are planes leaving LV about every 5 minutes!! Do us a favor, get on one!!
tom....it dont matter what you own...its not normal to get drunk all the time...its called alcoholism....have you seen what heavy drinking does to your body....your a walking pickel...not to mention how emotionaly troubled you must be to wanna get out of you right mind all the time.......very sad...cheers for not drinking and driving....I knew a woman who was the same as you she on the outside looked like she was great but she's dead at 38 ..why her liver exploded and her family found her on the kitchen flood with fluids seeping out of her.....bottoms up
Rocco,
Yes I am an alcoholic, but isn't that the first step to sobriety (joking).I can joke because I feel I am not hurting anyone but myself, once I get behind a wheel when drunk, I deserve what comes my way, but this will never happen.
I'm not sad all the time, only when I'm sober (LOL, just kidding) I'm fine with my life, and happy, yes I get depressed at times but this is because most of my family members are gone now, people very close to me, I respect your opinion.
Take it EZ
Time for a beer now.
Everyone who has ever driven drunk could have done the same thing.