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Family of DUI Crash Victim Unhappy with Sentence

Family of DUI Crash Victim Unhappy with Sentence - Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 5:45PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010 @ 05:45pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Emotions ran high in a Lackawanna County courtroom Wednesday afternoon. Melinda Sue Burton, the suspect in a deadly drunk driving accident, learned her fate. And not everyone was happy with the outcome.

Nearly 20 family and friends of the victim in this case packed the courtroom. They say Burton didn't get nearly enough time behind bars for her crime.

Minutes after walking into the Lackawanna County Courthouse Wednesday, Melinda Sue Burton learned she'll spend between 15 months and 4 years in prison. She admitted to being drunk and causing a deadly accident on Interstate 81 in July 2008.

Her passenger Robert Moran was killed. His aunt Joanne Stornable said, ÒShe got a slap on the wrist for killing somebody. How do you think that makes us feel? He was a big part of our life. He died a horrible, senseless death and she gets a slap on the wrist....Another statistic. Another DUI."

Friends and family of Moran made shirts in his memory. They say the sentence wasn't enough. They say Bob he had a contagious smile. His sister Jean Moran said, ÒBob always had a smile on his face. He was always happy-go-lucky. He loved everybody. He never judged people. He would always see the best in everybody."

Prosecutors say Burton was twice the legal limit and driving 82 MPH when the deadly wreck took place. Her attorney says she's sorry about the crash. Lawyer Todd Johns said, ÒSometimes good people do bad things and bad things happen to good people and everybody has to just deal with it and move on."

But moving on for Bob Moran's family won't be easy. They wear his picture close to their hearts with lockets.

ÒShe killed somebody. She took somebodyÕs life and she walks around like she did nothing wrong, people saying poor Melinda, poor Melinda, no -- what about poor Bob," added Jean.

Prosecutors say they were pleased with the sentence. Burton has been on house arrest since right after her arrest and a judge decided that time will count towards the sentence. That means she could be released in just months.
 


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