Who: Baltimore County Circuit Judge Robert Dugan
What: Dugan sentenced Matthew Miller, 25, to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to killing Kevin Ryan, 19, with his car in a hit-and-run incident Nov.12. Miller initially lied to police about hitting Ryan and told them his car was stolen by three black men before the crash that killed the Towson University freshman.
Why it?s a bad idea: Miller?s blood-alcohol content was .13 four hours after the crash, court records show. The legal limit is .08. What kind of message does this send to those who would drink and drive ? that lying, killing, and drinking and driving bring you a slap on the wrist?
Why he?s doing it: We don?t get it. The state asked for four years. Judge Dugan could have sentenced Miller up to 10 years. Even if “nobody went out to commit a crime,” as Miller?s attorney argued, the crime was committed, a young man?s life was cut short and a family must suffer daily for its loss. Dugan should have made the punishment reflect the crime.
Where to vent: Circuit Court of Baltimore County Web site at courts.state.md.us
