Paul Vinson was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a high-speed crash that killed his two 10-year-old sons last December. The crash occurred in Delafield after a police chase ended with his vehicle rolling over. Vinson pleaded guilty to five charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and causing injury while under the influence of a controlled substance. Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper noted that Vinson could have faced additional charges, including violations of a court order and attempts to shift blame to others, as mentioned byFOX6 News.
Vinson admitted guilt to five felony counts after initially facing 18 charges, according toCBS 58. He was involved in a crash while driving without a valid license in Wisconsin, carrying six passengers, including three of his children, his girlfriend, and his teenage niece. The niece has not fully recovered from injuries to her arm. In court, Vinson said, “It’s hard to know I’m the reason my sons are not here anymore, you know?” The prosecution noted that the children were not wearing seat belts, Vinson was under the influence, and there were illegal modifications to a handgun in the vehicle.
Judge J. Arthur Melvin III issued a sentence harsher than the prosecution’s recommendation, emphasizing the reckless nature of Vinson’s behavior. This followed a report byCBS58, which noted Vinson’s history of driving violations in Wisconsin and highlighted a loophole in state law allowing people without a license to keep driving without facing criminal charges. The judge sentenced Vinson to 35 years in prison and 32 years of extended supervision, stating, “I think the severity is nearly off the scales.”
The aftermath of the sentencing saw Vinson, who had consistently acknowledged his devastating role in the loss of his sons, saying before his sentencing, “I promise you, judge, I’m punished,” his voice heavy with the weight of lifelong remorse, “Regardless of what sentence you give me, I’m gonna have to deal with this for the rest of my life. I’m punished. I am punished,” yet after the harsher-than-expected sentence, both Vinson’s attorney and family members refrained from speaking to the press, as stated byCBS58.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply