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| Alfredo Ramos enters court in Virginia Beach on Monday.
(L. Todd spencer | the virginian-pilot) |
By Duane Bourne
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH
Alfredo Ramos was ordered to serve 24 years in prison and then be deported for the drunken driving crash that killed two teenage girls in March.
If he tries to return to the country, he faces additional time, a judge said Monday.
The 22-year-old apologized for what his drinking caused that night. Speaking through a translator, he asked that justice “be even.”
“I never in my life thought that that day something terrible would happen,” Ramos told Circuit Judge Thomas Shadrick. “I don’t have anything to pay with. The only thing I have is my life.”
Shadrick assured Ramos he would not make an emotional decision, but he said the case was not like the others in which the sentencing guidelines call for between four and 10 years .
“Your act of getting behind the wheel demonstrates a gross disregard for every person in this community,” Shadrick said. “This is a case that clearly warrants going beyond the guidelines.”
Shadrick sentenced Ramos, who pleaded guilty in August to two counts of aggravated involuntary manslaughter, to 40 years and suspended a portion. He also issued a warning: Should Ramos return to this country after his release, he would have to serve the remaining 16 years.
David Laird, a deputy prosecutor, said Ramos had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.24 on March 30 as he traveled at least 65 mph down Virginia Beach Boulevard in a stupor he likened to driving in the dark with sunglasses.
Alison Kunhardt, 17, was waiting at the stoplight at Kings Grant Road with Tessa Tranchant, 16, beside her when Ramos plowed into the back of the Plymouth Duster. Both teens died .
The case of an illegal Mexican immigrant who had three prior criminal convictions involving alcohol made national headlines.
Ramos’ immigration status was not the issue; his poor judgment was, argued Richard Clark, a senior assistant public defender. Clark asked the judge not to sentence Ramos to a prison term longer than called for by the guidelines.
It was clear in court that the deaths of the two girls had a lasting effect on their families and friends, some of whom wore T-shirts with the girls’ photographs and a journal entry from Tessa called “My idea of heaven” on the back. She wrote: “is a nonstop vacation on a tropical island … all the people I love would be there with me.”
Many of them applauded and gasped when Shadrick imposed his sentence.
For some, the decision was bittersweet and offered little closure.
Colette Tranchant said her life is empty. Her daughter won’t attend college, or have a career or children.
Alison’s mother, Corby Lane, recalled holding her daughter for the first time at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital , and the last, at the same hospital. There is no pain like losing a child, she testified.
And David Kunhardt said he wondered whether the last 234 days have been real.
“If I were to have one wish, it is that Alfredo Ramos would have to visit Ali and Tessa at Princess Anne Memorial Park Cemetery for the rest of his life,” he said, reading from a statement that he said he rewrote more than 20 times.
Ray Tranchant asked that the judge send a message that illegal immigrants should be punished and never allowed to return. Tranchant, who has become a national advocate on immigration issues, said his daughter would be proud.
“She is going to be a voice,” he said as he left the courthouse. “Nothing would ever make me happy because Tessa won’t be here. It is only the beginning here with me.”
Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150,
duane.bourne@pilotonline.com
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Labor camp in Texas...breaking rocks, digging holes...anything
Jail in the USA is not punishment for this guy. Everyone knows this. He is better off as many pointed out.
Labor camps now, that would be nice. Free labor...PAY US BACK for the loss you took from this country. Two girls lives are gone, and there is NO amount that will pay it back, but as he said himself...he has his life. USE IT...not lose it.
WORK HIM TO DEATH.
Come on..
Where's the outrage Hampton Roads for this misjustice? People were actually more appalled at Michael Vick than Alfredo Ramos and he killed two innocent young ladies. Let's put our energy in making sure these girls didn't die in vain. My sympathy and prayers goes to the families during the holidays as they face them without their love ones.
He should have recieved hard labor for life
because our American taxes should not have to provide free room and board for the next 25 years while he sits on his butt!
Terrible loss
I could not imagine losing my son, especially to a drunk driver...and my heart goes out to the parents. Where does this end, drunk drivers taking lives? It is not the fact he is neither Mexican nor illegal...he represents a common problem seen all to often...drunk drivers kill people. I have seen this time and time again happen...even friends...one whom lost his wife and child...where does this end? How much loss will bring change?
People missing the point...
The man was drunk driving! That's the problem...how many people are killed everyday by drunk drivers? It doesn't matter whether he's mexican, black or white.
The law needs to be changed...
If you're caught driving while intoxicated, you receive a mandatory attempted murder charge. If you kill, you get murder: first degree. Does anyone not know that drinking and driving is stupid and dangerous? With this knowledge, it's premeditated. Nevermind my rantings, just wait, everyone, the ALCU will come in and "save" Ramos from the "unfair" US judicial system.
Life is sweet for this killer.....
So for the next 24 years,this criminal gets color tv,free medical help, food and probably a chance to take college courses. Could life be sweeter for him? He goes back to Mexico, with the possibilty of getting a free college education courtesy of the USA !
Not harsh enough
I think he should have gotten the death penalty, I'd have bought the rope.
Where exactly?
Does it say what socio/economic class did these girls belong? What does that have to do with it? They were killed by someone breaking the law..enough said.
I'm in agreement that his country of origin should shoulder a portion of the burden.
My prayers are with the families. May they not have died in vain.
Unbelievable
What a lame sentence. I could not imagine the pain both families are experiencing right now. Based on his history, he will be back! How many innocent Americans have to be killed before the coward politicians do something about the illegal immigration problem? Give up reality TV for fifteen minutes America and write your representatives in Washington and your respective state! Demand action or risk not being re-elected.
Class act
If the girls were poor or came from a poor family, would there be as much of an uproar? Why is he even going to jail in the USA, the taxpayers pay a good amount to house the unwanted. When is the gov't really going to take issue with the illegal immigration problem, the one that our large corporations consider their new growth market?
and the look
on his face is "yah" i gots free food and board for the next 24 years paid for by these americans taxes.....whatever, this is a joke and a travesty of justice..........
this is not fair
For what he's done, he deserves a longer sentence. For those who knew Ali, we experienced a huge loss to our school and our community. I've never seen a community and school come together the way we did for these two girls. We miss them and think about them everyday. It's not just them that suffers, its their family and their friends. Two innocent girls have lost their lives to his rash and stupid actions. I will never forgive and I will never forget.
Do the time then ship him out
Once he completes his time he should immediately be deported...end of story.
So, what would it take to get the max sentence?
Ramos "faced up to 40 years in prison", so if murdering two innocent young Americans does not justify the max sentence, what does? Think of how many peoples lives were damaged by this illegals actions. These two young girls were robbed of their lives, their families had their children/siblings/grandchild stolen from them and our community was robbed of two of our members. These girls could have gone on to have done great things. They did nothing to deserve to be murdered by this illegal. Circuit Court Judge Thomas Shadrick suspended a portion of the sentence, is that a portion of the 24yr sentence? I think maybe this judge and many others like him has lost touch with justice. Our laws would protect us if the judges applied it accordingly.
With Ramos crimianl background
24 years is not enough for a man who is in this country illegally. Once again it seems Ramos has gotten off easy. Why is that?
What a sad day for justice.
For each day he behaves, he will get a day taken off. He could be out in 12 years, when he is 34. So that's what, 6 years for each death? There is a reason the statue of Lady Justice has her eyes covered. It's so you can't see the tears streaming down her cheeks. I feel so bad for the families of the two girls I don't even know what to type.
All I can say is...
Hoooolyyyyyy Cow!
What a load of crap!
While I agree he needs to be punished, years in an American prison doesn't seem just.
Alfredo Ramos sentencing.
Honorable Judge Shadrick reduced Alfredo Ramos prison sentence to 24 years. My opinion is, that Mr. Ramos got nice deal. He should have been charged with aggravated assault with deadly weapon(vehicle), and possible 2 counts of murder. He clearly had time to think when he was drinking, whether or not go behind the wheel(which shows premeditation). After Mr. Ramos completes his sentence, he is still young, 46, so even when he is deported back to Mexico, nothing will stop him to enter again illegally & possible commit same crime again, driving drunk& kill again someone loved one son, daughter, mother, father. Correct sentence for Mr. Ramos should have been 60-80 years, and deportation after that.