Driver responsible for 2014 SXSW fatalities sentenced to life in prisonSsw

Driver responsible for 2014 SXSW fatalities sentenced to life in prison

Last March, fingers were pointed at Rashad Owens for the fatal SXSW hit-and-run incident that left four innocent bystanders dead and more an 20 others injured. Late last month Owens appeared in Travis County District Court pleading not guilty, but according to The Austin-American Statesman, he has officially been sentenced to life in prison for capital murder. Parole is not an option for the 23-year-old.

Owens’ lawyers made countless attempts to argue that the tragedy was an “accident” and that he was “unfamiliar” with the city and its geography. Prosecutor Amy Meredith, though, was far from accepting of this story. She instead encouraged jurors to focus their attentions on Owens’ awareness – and subsequent disregard – of his deadly actions, rather than his intent. “There is no other answer than that the defendant knew what he was doing — and he didn’t care,” she said. “He didn’t care who was in his way. He was not going to be stopped. He was not going to go to jail.”

Via: PitchforkThe Austin-American Statesman

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