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July 26, 2011

Sentencing To Commence For Mother Facing More Time In Prison Than Drunk Driver Who Killed Her Son 
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A Georgia mother is facing sentencing today in a controversial case that
has gained national attention over the last week. Raquel Nelson was
convicted of homicide by vehicle and jaywalking after her 4-year-old son
was run over and killed by a drunk driver. Her son died as the family
attempted to cross a busy street separating a bus stop and their
apartment complex. There were no crosswalks nearby. Nelson will be
sentenced today and could serve up to three years in prison, a longer
term than given to the drunk driver, who served a six-month jail term
and is now on probation. An all-white jury convicted Nelson, who is
African American. On Monday, Nelson appeared on the "Today" show and was
questioned whether she had received a fair trial

Raquel Nelson: “I don’t think they could relate to what I was going
through ... All of the jurors stated they've never ridden public
transportation and they've never really been in my shoes, so I think
there's maybe not a jury of peers.”



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