How do you feel about a quadriplegic being sentenced to prison for a crash he caused and killed a 69-year-old woman?

Lock him up; his quadriplegic state be damned. His kind will try anything to keep from taking responsibility for their actions.

Danny Espinoza is already in a prison..........all the guy can do is lay there and [edit.] all over himself......What will be accomplished by locking him up..... It it really wroth all the cost it  will take to house him? ...........Either way it sucks to be him......

Not that it matters what we think, as matters such as this fall with the purvue of the courts, but I would like to know what the Walters' think?  Should Espinoza be sentenced to prison and a significant financial drain on state resources or should he continue to remain a prisoner of his bed with his family members to look after him?

The issue is not so much that he isn't suffering already he is, but because of his reckless actions he MURDERED an innocent person. someones relative is dead while this quadrapalegic play WORLD OF WARCRAFT and enjoys CHATTING ONLINE!!! Where is the justice? So I can go on a kiling rampage as long as something bad happens to me, give me a break, he may suffer, but he's not dead, which by any means would be worse, or else why would he and his family be fighting for his life and freedom?

Two things come to mind here in my opinion.  First is ..what's the point?   He's most likely already being cared for at the states expense as the cost of caring for a quadriplegic is more than most families can afford so to transfer him to prison would add to the taxpayers burden.  This man will never cause another accident nor is he going unpunished. 

According the the statement here   "The care provided to these inmates depends on their medical conditions, he said. Those who have serious ailments and cannot be treated in the prison, will be treated at outside hospitals"  he won't be in prison anyway.

The other thing I found odd with the article is that it states he feels nothing from the neck down and later in the article, goes on to say he suffers from painful urinary tract infections.

Does this guy have his mental faculties? He should stand trial just like anyone else who kills somebody. If prison is not practical, then sentence him to permanent house arrest.

House arrest isn't an option if he's convicted according to the article.  He will be in an outside hospital.   At least leaving things the way they are, the family is picking up some of the slack for his care.  That won't happen if he's in a hospital.

Save the state the expense of NOT having a trial.  What's the point?  I don't know about anyone else but being a quadriplegic, to me, is a fate worse than death.  I'd want then to pull the plug on me.

I have to agree with thegrumpyskeptic as this individual still retains freedoms to play online games and chat.  The victim can no longer 'chat' with her family.  It is sad that his actions have caused himself to now be trapped in his body, however, he broke the law and he needs accountability for his actions.

He needs to suffer some kind of punishment besides what he has already done to himself. [edit.] 

His family needs some freedom. I say lock him up. There won't be any online chatting in prison.

I would hate for the Dept of Corrections to incur even more expense for this guy than we taxpayers already are paying.   Sure, we're furious for his selfish stupidity in taking an innocent's life, but I don't see any upside in this.  He has a family, they  know how to take care of him.  The bereaved family will never get their loved one back, so however it turns out in court, Mrs Walters will still be lost.

It really bothered me when he said, "No one came out on top" his words.  The victims family said, he never said

he was sorry.  It seems by witness he was street racing.  He put himself in this situation.  He needs to pay for the life he took....

I wouldn't count on this guy not having access to computers in a hospital.  They said if convicted he will be in an outside hospital.  He will not be in prison.

Paralyzed or not...at least the Espinoza family HAS him alive!  The other family will NEVER have chance to tell thier loved one thet they love her, or hold her hand, or even  hug her....ANYTHING!  He committed a crime...he must pay the price.  He'll have excellent medical care for the rest of his life...as well as all the latest computer games!  Sorry my sympathy lies solely with the Walters family ...

The basic theoretical motivation of the criminal justice system is not punishment or revenge, but deterrance. The goal of corrections is to deter current and future criminals from commiting crimes. It is highly unlikely that Mr. Espinoza will commit a crime in the future similar to the one he is currently being accused. So, in that sense, and from a logical viewpoint, Mr. Espinoza has brought upon himself the same effect that the criminal justice system has intended. So then, the real issue is not how we feel about it, or even how we personally define "justice", but really hinges on the practical needs that Mr. Espinoza now has. I highly doubt there is any prison in the State of California that is adequately equipped to care for the needs of a quad. While SCIs don't equate with mental retardation, Mr. Espinoza's total loss of body function renders him completely dependent on full time care for even the most basic needs. Any direct care nursng needs to be conducted by a specialized nurse and prison doctors need to be accutely familiar with the unique needs that quads have- from diet, to physical therapy to prevent decubitis (bed sores). And then there is another issue- he obviously can't be put into the general prison population. Most cells aren't even large enough to accomdate a standard wheelchair, much more a specialized chair for a quad. He needs special mattresses, special hygiene routines, has unique dietary needs, and ongoing medical assessment. So, where would he be placed? While we might be inclinced to say, "lock him up and throw away the key", the fact is that even criminals are human beings with basic human rights. If they put Mr. Espinoza in a prison not equipped to meet his needs they are inadvertently denying him his basic rights, and will have eager lawyers waiting to assist with a big-fat lawsuit against the State. Obviously, from a logical point of view, it would be foolish to have Mr. Espinoza serve time in a prison. From a moralistic point of view, wouldn't we just as easily call this situation "poetic justice", "karma", "reaping what we sow", and then leave it alone?  

Lady Scooby - how much education do you have?

Better question JBS-Scooby what world do you live on?  Please re-read you post and answer this question- Did that make sense?

This is not two people suffering.  Mr. Espinoza murdered Dorothy Anne Walter using his car as the weapon.  He is not suffering. He is alive and well and has had the opportunity to celebrate holidays, birthdays and everything else with his family.  Dorothy Anne Walter's family hasn't had that opportunity since Mr. Espinoza's blatant disregard for the law and of human life.  Six years in prison is not enough!  If you think that this is supposed to be a deturrent, and you say he is already in prison than what you are saying is that as long as I get injured while going on a homicadal rampage I wont have to worry about prison or the consequences.

I am physically sick that Mr. Espinoza, the cause of the collision, received a gigantic picture in the newspaper and the true victim, and only victim got a small picture. 

Well said highaim.      Suffer~ which in it's original meaning implies to undergo~ is something both these families will have to deal with. Having taken care of my son,a "prisoner in his own body",I understand the cost of what Espinoza and his family will have to pay~even though he can still communicate,he bears the extra burden of knowing exactly what he lost. Having lost both of my sons I also understand the toll of losing someone you hold dearer than life .Especially in such a senseless manner,but there will never be closure,their pain will always be there. IMHO there are victims everywhere in this story.

Rather than jail,community service~such as going to schools to show the effects of reckless behavior might be more appropriate.Regardless of worlds of  warcraft,or chat rooms(he is using that as a coping method),Espinoza will always be a man in a body that can not move,has imaginary pains,and has wasted at least two lives.

Coping method?  Sounds like too many freedoms to me.  He broke the law, in his act of breaking the law he intentially murdered someone.   So sad he is trapped in a non-functioning body, oh well, he kind of brought it on upon himself.

Coping method~ I mention that because after my losses,between grief groups I found myself mindlessly playing games at Pogo,while trying not to think about what had happened,usually unsuccessfully. Coping method,even in a hospital prison he will find one~ probably with state paid for adaptive equipment and a computer. My sympathies lie with the Walters family primarily .

ok I've read all the comments here and wow, I cant believe the thoughts that some people have. Danny did not INTENTIALLY kill someone. Maybe he was racing, Not out to kill someone or out to harm himself. Simply having fun. And it costed someone their live and him his body. And he has to live with the thoughts of the pain he caused the other family.I feel for both sides and I think everyone else should to. I bet there are days that danny wishes he didnt live through that. But god had other plans for him, If its going around to schools and letting kids know that it could happen to them just as easy then be it.. But prison for any quadripegic I dont think is right. And to some of you that said that there isnt any computer games in prison... What? The prisoners get more then a computer with games. They get whatever they want. If its games or cd players or tvs. they have it. All I need to say is I guess is 6 years is a little much for a accident. He was doing what every young adult does with a fast car. and is paying the most for it. It is a hard choice to make but dont you think he is suffering enough by the way he has to live? There is nowhere stating what danny liked to do when he could use his body. so he may not have lost his life but he did lose his body. I really dont know what would be worse. 

Yes, Danny Espinoza is imprisoned within his his own paralyzed body. But he is still in the comfort of his own home surrounded daily by his family and friends. The Mrs. Walter's family and friends will  never be able to spend another second with her. Paralyzed or not he needs to pay for the tragedy his actions caused. I have no pity for Danny Espinoza.

 And to what onrluv said "He was doing what every young adult does with a fast car and is paying the most for it." Wrong, Mrs. Walters and her family have paid the most for it. 

He went out that evening, and he was racing, plain and simple.  He may not have gone outside and said: I'm going to kill someone today; however, he did kill someone.  I hope, everyday, he wishes he didn't live.  Community service? Going around to schools so he can be in the spotlight like he did something great? Give me a break.  He is NOT paying the most for it, Dorothy Anne Walter is.

Him being trapped in his body is his own doing. End of the day he still killed someone, and he needs to be punished.

All that hate will eat you alive.....Are these people more upset with the loss of a family member or the loss of the last 2 years they have dedicated to making sure he is punished? Will him going to Prison make it stop?

If you feel having to be in a wheelchair,having to have someone else,say pick your nose, is being glorified,you need to rethink things, And please advise MADD of your position~ they have been using the same tactic for years now,having drunk drivers who have killed and or injured others speak in schools .

Again my heart goes out to the Walters family~ they are paying a high cost here,one they will always pay till they die,and then their survivors will pay again....

When someone drinks and drives they are not in their right frame of mind.  Mr Espinoza; however, was in his right frame of mind when he knowingly chose to race.  MADD has it right, but I'm pretty sure that the people who go around to schools and talk to kids have served some time, and expressed their remorse to the victim's family.  Mr. Espinoza has done neither of these.

AS I AM READING THIS I SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING DANNY WAS RACING, IF HE WAS RACING WHY DID THE POLICE SAY HE WASNT AND WHY HAVENT THERE BEEN ANY OTHER PEOPLE ARRESTED? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EVER DRIVEN OVER THE SPEED LIMIT? IT COULD JUST AS WELL OF BEEN YOU THAT WAS IN THIS SITUATION.

dontbeahater, I swear, I have NEVER driven over the speen limit, whatever that is.

Spinaltap

So you could excuse him of this if he had been drinking.... What kind of message is that?

dontbeahater-Driving over the speed limit by 5-15, especially on the freeway, but wasn't this guy on a city road/street going 90 something. BIG difference. 

onrluv-u say he was doing what every young adult does with a fast car.   What? Street race? I had a mustang, never street raced, acted careless or killed anyone. I now drive a sporty little BMW, still don't street raceor let alone drive careless.  I value my car too much.  I ask this because i'm a young adult.

I'm not saying if he were drunk he is excused of all accountability.  What I'm trying to say is that he knew exactly what he was doing that night.  If he were drunk that night the law actually would be harsher on him because MADD would have stepped in.  Because he was not drunk, he has had it relitively easy.  By no means would I ever want to imply that if you're drunk and kill someone you're not responsible.

This is a rather difficult situation for all parties involved. Unfortunately, Mrs. Walters innocently paid the ultimate price for a young man’s lack of judgment. Mrs. Walters’ family has suffered the loss of a loved one in a very tragic way, and is understandably having a difficult time reaching any sense of closure. Danny Espinoza is also paying a huge price for this mistake. Danny’s’ family has also suffered the loss of a loved one in a very tragic way. Any of you who don’t think there is a loss here, don’t have any idea what it means to be a quadriplegic.

I am surprised at the characterization of “killing rampage” and “homicidal rampage” stated in comments above. It is obvious that this was not what occurred. The police are not characterizing this as “racing”, but rather a case of speeding. Does a case of “speeding” warrant a result of a 6 year prison sentence? How many other drivers in Bakersfield are guilty of this on any given night? The problem we face is not the speeding, but rather that Danny lost control of the car at a high rate of speed, and the resulting horrific accident.

In knowing what I do about quadriplegics, sending one to prison for an extended length of time is a death sentence. It is one thing to send able-bodied people to prison, but to send a person in Mr. Espinoza’s condition is entirely different. Does the crime of speeding warrant a death sentence?

Danny is imprisoned in his own body, and it is a life sentence. If what is desired here is justice, then does it matter if the prison is one of our construction, or one of Mr. Espinoza’s? If the desire is justice, then I think it has been served. If the desire is vengeance, then I guess that you will disagree with me.

bonzai-you ask 'does a case of 'speeding' warrant a result of a 6 year prison sentence? UMMMM, no, but someone is dead. 

You say the problem we face is not the sppeding, but rather he lost control of the car at a high rate of speed. Umm ok, isn't that SPEEDING.

You also ask- does the crime of speeding warrant a death sentence? No, speeding don't, killing someone accidental or not does. Sorry.

He may be imprisoned in his own body and I'm sure wishes he could take this back.  Everyone who commits a CRIME such as himself does. But doesn't he need to be responsible for his actions? 

It's great you seem to know about quadriplegics, but he must still face his 'jury'.

sagefever, it kinda sounds like you are a family member to the walters, or a close friend, cuz you have a lot of hate towards Danny. I'm not by far saying what he did was right. But I've heard that danny has tried to apologize to the family but they wouldn't talk to him. He even went to the walters DA to write them a letter and the walter family didn't want anything to do with it. So like I said before, what he did wasn't right, and no its not far that he didn't serve time, he may, but the hate that is going on is tiring. From the pictures that I've seen of Dorothy, I dont see hate.. i see a very nice and caring person. Now I know that many of you are going to bash me for what I write, and I'm ready for whatever you throw at me.. And to dontbeahater, you are so right, thank you.. and to oldblue56 is that all you have? we are not here to point out our faults. a misspelled word is all you can do? this is about what you think about this case.  

Michele,

I was under the impression that by the laws of our great State and great Country that only premeditated murder, or murder with special circumstances rose to the level of a capital offense, not a car accident, even if negligence is involved.....wow....

Never once has he shown any remorse to the family of the victim.  It has even been noted in court documents that neither he or his family has ever shown remorse or any sympathy; if anything they have shown hatred to the family of the victim.  If he says that he has tried to contact the family than he is lying to you.

Oh my I'm so sorry to sagefever, I got the wrong name, see people make mistakes.. I didn't mean you I meant spinaltap on the must be family or a friend because of all the hate.. you sagefever  do not have hate, you are trying to understand both sides of the case. And to spinaltap.. I don't know Danny, Its just what I've heard. This isn't a small story you know... I understand he was speeding. But does everyone get murder charges for speeding and causing a accident?? NO! like the beginning of this page.. Is the State of California going to have the funds to house him? Are you willing to pay more taxes because you want MORE justice for Danny... It seems like you will feel better if he dies from this. Because that is what will happen if he goes to prison.. Again I am sorry that Dorothy had to die from this. But lets never forget but forgive.

Actually he does feel remorse for the death of Dorthy and so does his family, so before you go off saying things without knowing the facts I suggest you stay quiet until you do.

I just got done watching the video and he sounded like he had remorse for the other family.. go watch it spinaltap!!! he stated that he feels for the family and what they are going through, so I dont know what you mean by him and his family not showing remorse and only hatred!!!

Mr. Espinoza should never have been breaking the law. Plain and simple

We already know that...

This guy ain't going anywhere.  He won't be getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.  He can't drink unless someone supplies him with alcohol.  In prison, it would cost taxpayers extra for his care.  There's nothing about incarceration that would deter Mr. Espinoza from re-offending.  Putting him in prison would be about vindication for the victim.  That is not what incarceration is supposed to be about.

First off I'd like to say that I'm shocked at reading some of the posts on this blog. I know that this is a very touchy subject, but I'm appalled at the hate, snide comments about mispellings, the attacks on other posters personally, and tween sounding all CAPS rants. I'm sure this site was intended for adults to post on, so can we please act like it when addressing something sensitive? Not only is it rude to those posting, but also disrespectful to the families unfortunately involved in this tragedy.

In respons to some of the arguments:

1. I agree that by sending this man to prison it is more likely to be an act of vengance than detering Mr. Espinoza from re-offending.

2. Being sentenced to community service is NOT putting him in the lime-light to be applauded as some kind of hero. He will feel shame every time he has to speak about this experience and know that those he would be speaking to would be judging him. This would also be a way to try and prevent this sort of thing happening again. When the DUI presentations were put on when I was in high school, I was horrified at the consequences which helped me come to the conclusion at a young age that drinking and driving is a bad idea. Speeding is a huge problem in Bakersfield, so why not have a similar presentation?

3. To Spinal tap regarding drunk driving and the "right state of mind". Excuse me, are you serious? Drunk drivers have just as much responsibility for their actions as Mr. Espinoza. They made the decision to drink the alcohol that lead the their "wrong state of mind." There are no excuses for their actions.

4. I feel for both families as no one has come out on top in this situation. I hope the family of Mrs. Walters accepts any appologies sincerely made if he is in fact remorseful; however, Mr. Espinoza may be the only one to know how truely remorseful he really is. I hope anger and loss is not clouding their judgement so much that he cannot be forgiven no matter how heinous his crime.

5. Bonzai - Well done. I really agree with your post and your mature attitude in this blog.

Is nobody listening?  Did no one READ the article?  The man is NOT going to prison no matter what the outcome.  Repeat..HE   IS   NOT   GOING   TO   PRISON.

If convicted he will be placed in an outside hospital.

Only a few on here got that part.

It did not say in the article that he is NOT going to prison.

"A counselor will then recommend to headquarters which prison to send him to.That would likely be one of three prisons: the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, the Corcoran State Prison or the California Institution for Men in Chino...The care provided to these inmates depends on their medical conditions, [Dr. Nadim Khoury with the CDRC] said. Those who have serious ailments and cannot be treated in the prison, will be treated at outside hospitals. “The severely handicapped, some in wheelchairs and paralyzed have gone to prison..."

What about this states definitely that Espinoza will "NOT [be] going to prison no matter what the outcome"?

All I read is that if he is sentenced to go to prison he is most likely to go to one of three facilities that are able take care of him in his conidtion, and that if they can't he COULD be treated in an outside hospital.

thank you nschizzle and if i could just add to that ,the approx 100 paralyzed inmates in the prison system are PARAPLEGICS there's a huge difference including Danny has massive traumas to his organs unlike most paralyzed people. and.... he has mrsa which is the superbug of staff infections and transferable to the prison systems staff and other inmates

 Well, I think it's only fair for me to chime in here, being a close friend to Danny Espinoza. We've been great friends since High School, and work in the same IT field. After the accident I arrived at the hospital in Bakersfield (I live in Ventura) right as his family decided it was time to "pull the plug". Talk about a tough moment. I actually went in and said my goodbyes and respects to him as he laid asleep in a coma. And I say "respect" in the upmost and most sincere way. Danny was a genius. A master IT guru in the security field. Someone I absolutely admired for his passion to his profession. He was probably one of the youngest senior security engineers in the Country in the year or so before the accident. Not too shabby. He got me excited about computers at a young age, and I contribute a lot of my successful career directly to him and his willingness to teach. Danny had a gift for not only absorbing new technologies, but also sharing it with his friends and co-workers. His absolute enjoyment and dedication to his craft became an inspiration to me, along with several others. When Danny came out of the coma the next day, it was as close to a miracle as anything I’ve ever experienced. And I’m not a religious person.

The doctors explained his condition and chances to him, and asked him a simple question: “Do you want to live? Or do you want us to let you go back to sleep?” Unable to speak, Danny was able to communicate via blinking a definite: “Yes. I want to live.”

And then came the fight. From having to fight to breathe without tubes in his neck and then having to fight just to be able to speak. Can you imagine? Then being shuffled in and out of hospitals around the country when infections re-occurred (they still do quite frequently) and going through physical therapy. To make it to where he is today, even in his very limited state of living, is rare. And he is truly lucky to still have his life at all. Then there is all the work his family has gone through having to take care of someone full time. The fight they’ve endured because they know who Danny is and they believe in him as a kind, honest, caring person. Here is a person that feels remorse, and has to live with the guilt of a terrible accident for the rest of his life. Someone who is extremely sympathetic if you talk to him. The article was very misleading in this aspect.

Danny has had to give up everything dear to him. His job. Playing music. Relationships. His chances to have a family of his own someday. Everything. He spends all his days in one room. Sounds an awful lot like prison to me. But when it all comes down to it, he has a better chance of surviving at home in the long term then he would in just 6 months at a state “prison hospital”.  The bottom line is that he won’t receive the proper care in those facilities, and it would in fact be a death sentence, as his mom stated. This is a common issue with those facilities with cases as severe as Danny’s.

I guess all I’m asking is to put yourself in his shoes. You made a mistake and the worst possible outcome arose.  Do you think you should die for that? Everything else has already been stripped from this great guy. The least the judge can do is spare him his life.

-Evan

I don't feel that prison time for Danny would be good for his disability.  I think that a fair sentence would be house arrest...so he may have all the care he needs which is very important for his condition.

Floreen Breyette

caregiver to jason C5-6 Quad from a August 04 diving accident.......