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Hull, of Thebes, Ill., pleaded guilty in August to the drunken-driving offense, which occurred March 9 in Cape Girardeau. The case was transferred to New Madrid County on a change of venue.
He was tried as an aggravated offender; he has at least three other convictions for driving while intoxicated, including one in 1987 involving the death of 20-year-old Randy Held.
In that case, Hull was also convicted of reckless homicide and served five years in prison.
Held died as a result of injuries in a wreck that occurred Aug. 23, 1986, on Highway 3 in Illinois, between Olive Branch and Thebes. The accident occurred near Held's home, his mother Mildred said in a previous interview.
The prosecution asked that Hull serve seven years in prison for the most recent DWI offense, Mueth said, but he added he was satisfied with the five-year penalty.
Patrick McMenamin, defense attorney for Hull, requested that New Madrid County Circuit Judge Fred Copeland decide on a three-year-sentence instead, Mueth said.
Mueth said Hull would likely serve about 31 percent of the five-year sentence.
Since the death of her son, Mildred Held, who tries to attend most of Hull's court proceedings even more than 20 years later, became a spokeswoman against drunken driving.
For a time she served as president of the Cape Girardeau branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and said the group allowed her to reach teens who may have struggled with drunken-driving issues.
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He'll serve 31% of the 5 years? A repeat offender? And just how is this time going to change his pattern?
How many people does this guy gotta kill before he is locked up for good. And the real sad thing is that he only did 5 years for reckless homicide. This is his fourth conviction. Com'on. And I agree with you Live. 31%?? What is that, maybe 2 years.
1.55yrs is 31%. Ridiculous!
Yup, he's probably snickering to himself. "Got off easy this time!"
And when he is released, will he be allowed to obtain a license? He should be banned for life.
Hey, maybe he will run for the vacant Massachusetts senate seat...wouldn't be much of a change though, would it...one fat drunk killer replacing another.
This guy will serve more than 31%. If it's one thing the Missouri parole board frowns on, it's DWI's.
I knew somebody that went in and got a three year sentence and, they kept him until his condition release date. That's the last date they can hold a person legally. I believe it was 30 months. The guy I'm talking about didn't have near the history the one in the story has. I do agree, he should have gotten more.
Stay classy Hawker!!!!
Class with a capital K!
I would expect nothing less from Hawker. By your comment you obviously think that he had license at the time of the latest incident, which he didn't. So taking away a license for life would be a good deterrent to you. How about charging him with murder and sending a message we are serious about this problem, like nearly any other developed country in the world. Nice dig on the late senator from Mass, your lack of civility only illuminates your lack of intelligence. Hawker - illuminates means shines light on. I thought you might need the help.
Terrible story. Obviously this guy is not learning his lesson.
I have a 90 year old father who lost his license due to being a unsafe driver with medical problems. He has ministrokes and blacks out from them. I had to be the one who contacted the state and his medical dr to get his license revoked.
Guess what he goes and gets another dr to say he is safe to drive. The state said that dr statement would not work and he has a lawyer who is working on getting his license back now.
I have thrown my hands up and said if he kills someone I hope it is a member of either the lawyer or dr.s family who gets his license back. I am trying to protect a innocent person but there are so many loopholes it is not funny.
Same thing with this person. Nothing has stopped him from drinking and driving. Not even killing someone else.
So lucky he gets off with only 5 years... Then he can get back out and kill one of us!! Wish the Held boy only got 5 years and could come back.
Why sould this guy be charged with murder? Kennedy wasn't.
I don't think Kennedy had "at least 3 convictions of DWI" at the time of Chappaquiddick.
What the hell does Kennedy have to do with this anyway?
You right wingers are awful defensive these days.
I don't think Kennedy had "at least 3 convictions of DWI" at the time of Chappaquiddick.
-- Posted by grandma72 on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 6:22 PM
Meg/Grandma
That you know of.
seems like i know a lot of people in these reports lately. as a matter of fact, this guy will never learn his lesson, or care to for that matter. he is one of a kind. he will always have a redicilous family behind him that always treats him like their little angel. hes a mooch and a liar and deserves way more than what he got. and i agree, he is probably snickering to himself, hes that kind of person.