Rich man will do no time for killing two tourists in exchange for cash restitution to

[EpyonXero]

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/7LgcBYPQqR0/florida-justice-rich.html
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/ct-met-levin-hit-and-run-2-20110603,0,7039906.story?page=1&track=rss

A "millionaire playboy" who killed two British tourists in Florida when his $150,000 Porsche jumped the curb will not go to jail, despite the fact that he fled the scene and lied to police officers about who was behind the wheel during the accident. Instead, he will pay cash restitution to the victims' family, settling a civil suit on the condition that he not go to prison. Ryan LeVin, who did not offer an apology to the victims during sentencing, is on parole in Illinois, where he has a record of over 50 traffic violations, including striking a police officer with his car and left the scene. His lawyer has asked to have his Porsche returned.

Rather than agree to a deal with Florida prosecutors, who wanted him to serve 10 years in prison, LeVin took an open plea that placed his fate in the judge's hands. His lawyer argued that the need for LeVin to pay restitution to the men's widows and children outweighed the need for LeVin to serve prison time.
The payout settles a civil suit filed by the men's families shortly after their deaths.

"The wives and children of the deceased were significantly and permanently impacted by this incident, and they have indicated ... that there exists a great necessity for restitution which the defendant can, and will, make, if permitted a sentence devoid of incarceration," LeVin's defense

[Rangerscott]

Id rather be poor and hope that he gets shanked than take his greed.

[shmike]

There was a similar story of a high-paid broker out west recently (Cali maybe?).

Same basic argument: "I can't go to jail, I have to make money to pay them."

[EpyonXero]

It shouldnt be either or, there should be restitution and jail time.

[Papa_Complex]

There was a similar story of a high-paid broker out west recently (Cali maybe?).

Same basic argument: "I can't go to jail, I have to make money to pay them."

Funny, but I tend to think that liquidation of current assets would go a long way towards providing restitution, while in no way restricting a term in prison.

I heard a guy, who was acting as a fence for stolen computer equipment, make a similar claim to a judge. It was the 3rd or 4th time that I'd been to court as a witness, in the case, and the 5th or 6th hearing. He'd gone through 5 lawyers, as a delaying tactic. He said that a conviction would remove his ability to travel to the US, on purchasing trips, and asked that the conviction be set aside. He claimed that it would impact his family, who had done nothing wrong. The judge (who I praise to this day) simply said, "You should have thought about the ramifications of your actions, before you took them. Two years."

[Avatard]

This just in: The rich and the beautiful have it easy.

Film at 11:00.

Sad.

[Homeslice]

What kind of Porsche was this? $150K seems kinda high.

[Porkchop]

What kind of Porsche was this? $150K seems kinda high.

2011 Prosche 911 GT3 has a base price of $180,000...

Not to mention dealer markups.

[wildchild]

It shouldnt be either or, there should be restitution and jail time.

that's only for the commoners.
the rich get away with it because they know the average person values money, more then their lost relative's life. cruel statement yes, but it's true. proven by this action.

if they did not take the deal he probably would have tied up the case in legal red tape for years. this way they get their money, really that's what they want, the lawyers tell them that.