Demond Brown

In January 2002, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Demond Brown attempted to run a red light and as a result collided with another vehicle, killing both occupants of that vehicle. Demond was then charged with two counts of wanton murder and two counts of wanton endangerment for the injuries sustained by the passengers in his vehicle. He was found guilty of all charges by an all white jury (despite the fact that Christian County has the third highest minority population in Kentucky) and ordered to serve a total of 20 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 85% of that sentence. His conviction and sentence were subsequently upheld by the Kentucky Supreme Court in June of 2005. It was the first time in Kentucky's history where a wanton murder conviction was upheld with no evidence of drinking or drug use. Mr. Brown essentially ran a red light and was branded a murderer. Mr. Brown was sentenced the same as an individual that intends to kill another person. In Kentucky, the sentence for an intentional and unintentional murder are the same - 20-50 years or life. Additionally, if an individual recieves a sentence of 50 years or life, they will still be eligible for parole after 20 years. EVERYONE GOES BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD IN KENTUCKY AFTER 20 YEARS!!! The result is that a person who intends to kill another person may serve the same amount of time as an individual who did not intend to kill another person.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051106/NEWS01/511060411/1008