For two Mondays in a row, I've been in a courtroom with a convicted drunk driver, his father and family members left behind after he hit a killed an off duty sheriff's deputy five years ago.
Jason Reese was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide after smashing his car into Scott County Deputy Jon Niemann in 2003. At the time, Reese received a jail sentence and probation. He violated his probation last year when he was convicted on a drug charge in Nebraska.
Because of that violation, Reese will now serve out the 4-year prison sentence he first avoided in Niemann's death - sort of. Under Minnesota law, he'll serve two-thirds of his sentence and with credit for time served, Reese will be behind bars for about 16 months.
Niemann's family has been very vocal about their thoughts on a sentence they believe was too light in the first place. I have nothing to say about Reese's conviction or his sentence one way or another. But I do have something to say about strength and what I learned from watching the Niemann family.
It always amazes me how people can suffer such tremendous loss and come out stronger for it. These people lost a loved one - tragically - at the hands of a drunk driver. But instead of anger, I saw in their eyes, regret and disappointment.
These people truly hoped that Jason Reese would take from this experience and turn his life around. Instead of being angry, the Niemanns were disappointed that Reese found himself in court again. And despite everything, they are still willing to give Reese one more shot. They hope he will come out a different person after serving some prison time.
There is no doubt the Niemanns grieve their loss everyday, but to wish that the man who killed their loved one embrace the opportunity for a second chance at his own life amazes me. I find this to be a testament to the strength of humanity. I only wish we had the opportunity to speak with Jason Reese himself to find out what he thinks.
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