What this Federal Judge thinks about the value of the life of one young man= NOTHING
Just when one might have thought it was not possible to have any more outrageous acts of stupidity from a Judge in a fatal driving while impaired case, comes this new nominee for the Worst Judge in America from Montana. Judge Watters was appointed to the federal bench by Barack Obama. The case of a Busby, Montana man who killed his pal during a DWI escapade and crash was decided by a Federal Judge due to the fatal crash taking place on an Indian Reservation.
From Billings Gazette
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters gave Busby man only probation for DUI fatal death of his pal in Montana
A Busby man who admitted causing a fatal rollover after drinking an estimated 12 beers will spend five years on federal probation.
Torren Jon Russell, 20, told U.S. District Judge Susan Watters during his sentencing on Wednesday that he made “a dumb mistake” when he drove drunk on May 21, 2016, and rolled a pickup with four passengers near Busby early in the morning.
Russell faced a sentencing guideline range of 30 months to 37 months in prison for his guilty plea in February to involuntary manslaughter. There was no plea agreement.
Russell admitted causing the death of Paul Foote, 16, of Busby, who was his first cousin and like a brother. He estimated earlier that he had consumed about 12 beers before driving. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.139 percent. The legal limit is 0.08 percent.
The whole group had been drinking before the crash, and although passengers had asked Russell not to drive, they eventually allowed him to do so, the prosecution said.
A U.S. Attorney’s Office representative read a statement on behalf of Foote’s grandmother, Joy Foote, in which she asked for justice and expressed how much she missed her grandson.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sullivan requested a 30-month sentence saying while the crash was a tragedy and Russell had no criminal history, there needed to be punishment. MORE
Paul James Foote Russell killed by Torren Jon Russell in DUI crash May 21, 2016
Paul James Foote Russell, Vo’estaneh Kohe, (Human Bear) was known to many as “Pauly”, “Paul D”. “Pa Pa’s” Paul comes from a long line of Chiefs, Paul was a Chief Child. Paul was born on September 25, 1999, to Merlle Russell and Christie Foote. Paul was tragically taken on the morning of May 21, 2016, from a vehicle accident. He grew up in Lame Deer and the past two years he resided in Busby with his Aunt, Alice Russell Walksalong. He leaves behind his parents, his siblings, brothers; Kelcie, (Keshia) Russell, Colton, (Shochana) Russell, Jophyas Foote, Melvin Jr., David and Floyd Woodenthigh, Andrew , Joseph Jr., and Edward, Jr., Foote and Torren Russell, adopted brother Colven Longknife, Shiloh Whitewomen, Layton Blackwolf, and Stuart Clown, His Sisters, Ashanti, Danielle and Donica (Erlanda) Brady, Lacie, Pamela Woodenthigh, Jacqueline and Jasmine Foote, special nieces; Tanyalyn, Avery Joy (Goddaughter) Russell and Erika Arvizu-Carvajal, He attended the Northern Cheyenne Tribal School from Kindergarten through 10th grade. He started playing football and basketball in the 6th grade to present. Paul was widely known for his kind demeanor, his awesome sense of humor and his willingness to help out. Paul was very talented as an athlete, excelling on the gridiron and the Court. His football Coaches 2014-15, Riston Spang and Waylon Walksalong, 2015-2016, Marvin Vanderpool and Phillip Beckman, Basketball coaches; 2014-2015 Mike Chavez and Gernell Killsnight, 2015-2016 Terry Curley and Phillip Beckman all his Coaches throughout his school years are his hero’s. His recent basketball team who are his best friends and who took District Champs; first five; Dallen Swank, Jonathan Cody, Donald Bishop, Manipi and Elias Elkshoulder, and team; Colton Russell, Andrew Foote, Richard Smith, Robby McConnell, Tristan Old Elk, Jeffrey Elkshoulder. Paul also played with the team “Native Ballers” since the 7thgrade. He enjoyed the times together and grew close to Alan and Becky Blackwolf and family. Aunts Elvira (Melvin) Woodenthigh, Melissa Tallwhiteman, Maggie Segoviano, Denise Swank, Alice (Waylon) Walksalong, Uncles Edward (Amelia) Foote, Joseph (Mary) Foote, David Swank, Lance, Charlie, and John (Faith) Russell. Maternal grandparents; Joy Whitewolf, Foote, Priscilla Robinson, Letha, Eloise and Justine Whitewolf, Isadore and Joseph, Jr. Whitewolf, and Daniel (Judith) Foote, Georgianne (Bruce) Kellum, and Kathryn Foote. He is preceded in death; his paternal Grandparents John Russell, Jr., and Glenda Brady Russell, Paternal Great-grandparents Carrie (Driver) Brady and Glenn Fox of North Dakota and maternal grandparents; Arvelos Whitewolf and great grandparents Joseph and Alice Beartusk Whitewolf, Sr. Relatives include; Fishers, Brady’s, Fox, Drivers, Standsalone, Robinsons, Freeman’s, Eastmans, Wandering Medicine, StrangeOwls, Russells, Whitewolfs, Bixby’s, Pease’s, Foote’s, Tallwhiteman’s, and more family from North Dakota. Paul had a large extended family please forgive us if we left anyone out.
