Drunk Driving Murderer Only Gets 18 Months In Jail

Drunk driving murderer Michael Ahern of Dorchester was sentenced to 18 months in jail for killing bicyclist Doan Bui.

It was a miracle that he was even found guilty in the first place, as most of the time when people use their car to murder people they get away with it,  but this sentencing is insultingly short.

From UHUB:

Prosecutors had asked for six to eight years in a state prison, because evidence showed that not only was Ahern going 20 mph above the speed limit, he had spent a good part of the evening before the crash drinking – in part at a bar he co-owned – and had a lengthy record of driving infractions that included 12 license suspensions.

Judge Christopher Muse sentenced Ahern to 2 1/2 years in a county jail, but with 12 months suspended for six years, during which Ahern must undergo an alcoholism screen, take any treatment that is recommended by that, perform 500 hours of community service and not drive.

In a statement, DA Dan Conley said:

Doan Bui did nothing wrong but ride his bike along the same route this defendant used after drinking all night. As a result of this defendant’s choices to drink and drive, the Bui family lost a father, a husband, and a source of emotional and financial support.

I would really like to know why the judge felt it was alright to take the recommended sentencing and reduce it so drastically.  Drunk driving is a crime, cycling is not, murder is a crime, cycling is not.  For justice to be served this person needs to never drive again, and spend a good period of their life deprived of liberty.

But that is just how I feel about it.  Amazingly, and in a sign that perhaps humanity is not doomed, the family of the murder victim, actually urged the judge to be merciful on the murderer.

From The Boston Globe:

Accompanied by a Vietnamese language interpreter, Bui’s wife was silent in the courtroom as her lawyer told the judge that she and her children knew a long prison sentence for Ahern would not bring back her husband and their father.

Thuy Huynh, the victim’s wife, had asked for her lawyer, Andrew Barrett, to speak on her behalf.

“She doesn’t think any more damage should be done to anyone else,” Barrett said. “She has expressed, for the lack of a better word, forgiveness, and doesn’t see any advantage to any lengthy sentencing imposed on the defendant.”

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Muse also heard statements from the victim’s 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son that were read by the assistant district attorney.

“If I had a wish, I hope my dad would belong with us and drunks do not drive any more in order to not injure anyone else,” wrote Thao Bui, the victim’s daughter.

She and her brother, Diamond Bui, wrote that after their father’s death, they do not want to leave the house. They also described a hardworking father who took care of his family.

His daughter wrote that Bui had often helped his wife study English and practice driving. His son said they would explore the outdoors together during the summer.

“We and my mom miss him very much,” wrote Diamond Bui.

I hope Ahern never drives again, and spends the rest of his life soberly contemplating the carnage he has caused his fellow human beings.

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