Killer Drunk Given 9 Years.
05-13-04, 01:40 AM
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Killer Drunk Given 9 Years.
The victims weren't cyclists, but this case sets an interesting precendent, the most interesting being that his license has been 'suspended absolutely'. Still nine years, or three and a half, isn't much for killing three people. I heard on the radio this morning that the defence lawyer thought this was 'excessive'. Lizard.
https://www.couriermail.news.com.au/c...5E3102,00.html
https://www.couriermail.news.com.au/c...5E3102,00.html
I'm sorry: Drunk-driver finally faces teens' parents
Amanda Watt
13may04
A TREMBLING Robert Frost stood in a Mackay court yesterday and finally spoke the two words the Owens and Bates families have been waiting to hear for more than a year: "I'm sorry."
He then delivered a stilted monologue from the dock to the parents of Daina Owens, Casey Owens and Alan Bates, the teenagers he mowed down in his car while drunk on April 24 last year.
"There are no words to counteract the feelings of your family and friends due to the actions that I've caused," Frost said in his first ever contact with the parents.
"I can't sincerely show my remorse any more than I know how because I don't know what you are going through. I haven't lost children, I have lost good friends and it's something that you never ever let go (of).
"I never meant for this to happen, I want you to know that I'm sincerely sorry."
Minutes later he was sentenced to nine years' jail.
The Mackay District Court was told that Frost, now 25, was almost five times over the legal blood-alcohol limit (no less than 0.23) when he hit sisters Daina, 15, and Casey, 18, and their friend Alan, 15, about 4am as they walked to a Mackay service station to buy cigarettes.
Daina and Casey died instantly from head injuries. Alan was thrown on to the footpath and died in hospital later the next day.
The court was told Frost, who had been driving home with a friend after a big night out in Mackay, did not stop.
He drove a short distance, where he let his terrified passenger out, before driving through local streets. The passenger ran to a friend's house and called police.
The court was told Frost abandoned his 4WD utility, telephoned another friend and confessed what had happened before asking to be picked up.
The two men then drove to the Mackay police station, and tried to report the accident but claimed they could not raise any police officers.
They then drove past the accident scene, without stopping, to get home.
Prosecutor Frank Richards said police found Frost at his Mackay harbourside home about 5.30am.
He recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.198 but police believe his reading at the time of the accident would have been no less than 0.23.
Mr Richards told the court Frost had shown a "breathtaking apparent lack of remorse" after the accident – by failing to stop at the accident scene initially and then passing the accident scene twice while a passenger in his friend's car.
He had also gave "heartless" answers to questions in his subsequent record of interview with police.
The court was told Frost had a lengthy driving record in both Queensland and his home state of Tasmania, including two Queensland speeding fines and a drink driving conviction in Tasmania while on bail for the trio's death.
Jerome Dowling, for Frost, told the court the most recent drink-driving conviction in Tasmania last December made his client realise he had a drinking problem and he had since sworn-off alcohol.
He said his client not only felt great remorse for the death of the three teenagers, but he had suffered personal and financial loss – a lucrative earthmoving machinery business he had operated in Mackay for several years had closed after the accident.
Judge Grant Britton sentenced Frost to nine years' jail with a recommendation he be considered for parole after 3 ˝years.
Judge Britton also suspended his licence absolutely.
The maximum sentence for the charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while drunk is 14 years.
Yesterday's sentence is believed to be the toughest ever handed down for the offence in Queensland.
Casey and Daina's father, Rob Owens, said he hoped that the sentence would serve as a warning to other motorists.
He said Frost's speech in court was of little comfort.
"The only thing that would make me feel better is if I could walk out of here today with my two girls," he said.
Frost will appear in the Mackay Magistrate's Court again tomorrow to answer charges arising from the fatal accident.
These include drink-driving, failing to stop at the scene and running a red light.
Amanda Watt
13may04
A TREMBLING Robert Frost stood in a Mackay court yesterday and finally spoke the two words the Owens and Bates families have been waiting to hear for more than a year: "I'm sorry."
He then delivered a stilted monologue from the dock to the parents of Daina Owens, Casey Owens and Alan Bates, the teenagers he mowed down in his car while drunk on April 24 last year.
"There are no words to counteract the feelings of your family and friends due to the actions that I've caused," Frost said in his first ever contact with the parents.
"I can't sincerely show my remorse any more than I know how because I don't know what you are going through. I haven't lost children, I have lost good friends and it's something that you never ever let go (of).
"I never meant for this to happen, I want you to know that I'm sincerely sorry."
Minutes later he was sentenced to nine years' jail.
The Mackay District Court was told that Frost, now 25, was almost five times over the legal blood-alcohol limit (no less than 0.23) when he hit sisters Daina, 15, and Casey, 18, and their friend Alan, 15, about 4am as they walked to a Mackay service station to buy cigarettes.
Daina and Casey died instantly from head injuries. Alan was thrown on to the footpath and died in hospital later the next day.
The court was told Frost, who had been driving home with a friend after a big night out in Mackay, did not stop.
He drove a short distance, where he let his terrified passenger out, before driving through local streets. The passenger ran to a friend's house and called police.
The court was told Frost abandoned his 4WD utility, telephoned another friend and confessed what had happened before asking to be picked up.
The two men then drove to the Mackay police station, and tried to report the accident but claimed they could not raise any police officers.
They then drove past the accident scene, without stopping, to get home.
Prosecutor Frank Richards said police found Frost at his Mackay harbourside home about 5.30am.
He recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.198 but police believe his reading at the time of the accident would have been no less than 0.23.
Mr Richards told the court Frost had shown a "breathtaking apparent lack of remorse" after the accident – by failing to stop at the accident scene initially and then passing the accident scene twice while a passenger in his friend's car.
He had also gave "heartless" answers to questions in his subsequent record of interview with police.
The court was told Frost had a lengthy driving record in both Queensland and his home state of Tasmania, including two Queensland speeding fines and a drink driving conviction in Tasmania while on bail for the trio's death.
Jerome Dowling, for Frost, told the court the most recent drink-driving conviction in Tasmania last December made his client realise he had a drinking problem and he had since sworn-off alcohol.
He said his client not only felt great remorse for the death of the three teenagers, but he had suffered personal and financial loss – a lucrative earthmoving machinery business he had operated in Mackay for several years had closed after the accident.
Judge Grant Britton sentenced Frost to nine years' jail with a recommendation he be considered for parole after 3 ˝years.
Judge Britton also suspended his licence absolutely.
The maximum sentence for the charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while drunk is 14 years.
Yesterday's sentence is believed to be the toughest ever handed down for the offence in Queensland.
Casey and Daina's father, Rob Owens, said he hoped that the sentence would serve as a warning to other motorists.
He said Frost's speech in court was of little comfort.
"The only thing that would make me feel better is if I could walk out of here today with my two girls," he said.
Frost will appear in the Mackay Magistrate's Court again tomorrow to answer charges arising from the fatal accident.
These include drink-driving, failing to stop at the scene and running a red light.
05-13-04, 03:43 AM
#2
Every lane is a bike lane
The maximum sentence for the charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while drunk is 14 years.
Still, nine years and an 'absolute' licence suspension is a good start. I must say it's surprising (refreshing even) to see Queensland leading the way in something for a change.
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I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
