I will make no judgement as to what should or should not happen to Mr. Guido, but I say what a wonderfully compassionate lady Ms. Lovett is. May God continue to bless her and the rest of us too.
A display of Christian compassion had most everyone in a Richmond County courtroom in tears Thursday morning, and Judge Michael Annis said he'd never in his legal career seen anyone so caring and gracious.
First, Rosa Lovett asked the judge to show mercy on the 19-year-old man involved in the death of her sister. Then, when the defendant's grandfather addressed the judge and seemed on the verge of breaking down, Ms. Lovett crossed the courtroom and embraced him, holding him and patting his back while he finished talking.
"We all make mistakes in life," Ms. Lovett told Superior Court Judge Annis. "But there's nothing that I can do or anyone can do to bring her back, and I wouldn't want someone to put my child away for the rest of their life because of one bad choice."
Michael Guido made his bad choice on March 1 as he sat in the passenger seat of a Chevrolet Blazer that a Richmond County sheriff's deputy had pulled over for running a red light on Broad Street. His public defender, Bryan Grantham, said he was joking when he egged on the driver, Jamie Ray Clark, 20, to bolt.
A high-speed chase ended in a fatal crash on Gordon Highway at the intersection of Old Savannah Road, the Blazer striking a Pontiac Bonneville making a left turn. Laura Felder, a 42-year-old Kellogg's employee riding in the Pontiac with her boyfriend, died at the scene. Her sister said she left behind 21- and 19-year-old sons, an 18-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old grandson.
The chase became controversial after WRDW-TV (Channel 12) broadcast a recording of scanner chatter during the chase, in which a supervisor could be heard telling Deputy Anthony Gregory to break off pursuit. Sheriff Ronnie Strength has stood by his deputy, saying there's no evidence he heard the order over his siren.
A grand jury indicted Mr. Clark and Mr. Guido on murder, first-degree vehicular homicide and fleeing and attempting to elude. Mr. Clark, whose case is still pending, faces other traffic charges including driving under the influence of marijuana, cocaine and benzodiazepines.
As part of a plea bargain, the District Attorney's Office agreed to drop the murder charge against Mr. Guido and recommend a 15-year sentence, Assistant District Attorney John Markwalter said. Judge Annis sentenced Mr. Guido to 20 years -- three in confinement and 17 on probation.
Ms. Lovett came to court wearing a T-shirt with her sister's picture on it. She said afterward that their mother was a Pentecostal minister, and her upbringing has helped her cope with what happened.
"I forgive them, because I know it wasn't intentional," she told the judge. "I don't hate them. I have no malice against them."
Mr. Guido's family then spoke on his behalf before sentencing. When his grandfather, Tom Piper, became emotional and faltered, Ms. Lovett came and held him. She hugged other family members, and after the hearing she embraced a teary-eyed Mr. Guido, who wore dark green jail duds and stood shackled at his wrists and ankles.
"I'm so very sorry," he told her.
As part of parole conditions, Judge Annis said Mr. Guido must pursue a GED, be in school or working at all times, get psychiatric treatment, be drug tested and testify in court if needed.
Mr. Guido must also perform 1,000 hours of community service, talking to youth groups and school organizations about staying in school, driving responsibly and the consequences of bad decisions.
"So that you can be a living example of what can happen," the judge said.
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
I will make no judgement as to what should or should not happen to Mr. Guido, but I say what a wonderfully compassionate lady Ms. Lovett is. May God continue to bless her and the rest of us too.
It is so very easy for us to sit back behind our keyboards and say what we would or wouldn't do in this situation. But, in reality, we don't actually and truly know what we'd do...we just think we do. Sadly, and ashamedly, I don't think I could've had the forgiving spirit that Ms. Lovett displayed. She gives us a good witness for God's love and compassion. God bless Ms. Lovett, her family, Michael Guido, and his family during all this.
Ms. Lovett is a remarkable woman. I'm not sure I could muster up her strength if I were in her situation.
TrukinRanger...I hope you feel the same way when some one takes one of your love one life away for something so stupid. I don't thank you will still say sounds fair to me.
19 years old is right in the middle of the stupidest age in a persons life. Large enough to look smart, but with almost no sense of reason. There are parts of the brain unable to assimilate information. Making poor decisions at this age is the rule, not the exception. That being said, I don't think I have Ms Lovett's compassion or understanding. I'd like to think my actions would be as wise as hers under this type of circumstance, but I'd be surprised if they were. Revenge is just too sweet.
Realistically, had they not 'bolted', and just been given a citation for running a red light, and possibly busted for drugs he would have gotten a longer sentence. Our current legal system is flawed and needs revamping. What happens to this kid if he does get 20 years? He might get his GED, a Degree, a job skill, but then you have a 40 year old institutionalized ex-con getting out of prison, who is going to hire him? He is going to have a hard enough time finding a job after serving the 2+ years he has left in jail, hopefully he puts his two years to good use and gets his GED while he is in there.
I want to know why the cop that chased those kids is not in jail. The problem here is obviously that our police department is not being held responsible for their actions. This type of thing happens all too many times. It does not matter if the officer did not hear the orders, he should have know anyway not to continue such a pursuit. This was a clear sign of stupidity and ignorance on the part of the officer. Anyone in law inforcement should know that you never continue a high speed chase like that, especially if you only attempted to pull the kids over for something as simple as running a red light anyway. I hate to bring race into this but this officer had a clear disregard for human life by continuing that pursuit. I wonder would he have chased kids around like that in an affluent area and risked the lives of innocent people.
Ms. Lovett will receive her reward in Heaven. I'm not so sure that I could do the same. If Guido follows the sentence, then everyone should be at least a little comforted.
Ms. Lovett...God bless you for your compassion and God bless your mother for raising such a wonderful daughter. In your shoes I do not know that I could do the same but I hope that it will never come to that. To take his grandfather in your arms to calm him was amazing. Your sister would be so proud of you. What a shining example you have set for your nieces and nephews. All of you are in my prayers.
Amen@Cantbelieveit.
I don't know the details of this situation but Ms Lovett's compassion is striking.
Christian134 I was so hoping to read a few words from you. Does this article touch you heart in any way?
whyworry you must be kidding? Yes lets let every criminal know they can run and nobody will chase them. That's a dumb idea. The ones that will run and kill innocent people don't follow any laws anyway. I think if they run and someone is killed they should be treated just like they shot them with a gun.
The "officer had a clear disregard for human life"? What about the two morons he was chasing? The victim was killed during the COMMISSION OF A CRIME, and the killers should be sentenced accordingly. I know, I know... he said he was sorry. I guess that makes it all better for the victims family.
it just goes to show you just how great and awesome god really is! he is yet still on his throne! may the peace of god rest upon the lovett and guido family! ms. rosa lovett, god is well pleased with you. get ready for the best is yet to come.
There is plenty of blame to go around in this case; according to the tape which was broadcast the officer had been told to cut the chase yet he continued. He should have already had information on the tag which would have provided ownership of the vehicle and he could have followed up without this tragedy having occurred. On the other hand, the driver certainly is at fault for running from the officer; again, simply obeying the law would have prevented this whole incident. The young passenger, who shares the same name as a wonderful man of God who would have forgiven just as the victim's sister has done, foolishly urged his friend to try to get away from what would have been charges not involving the loss of life. To some the sentence seems light; to a 19 year old it will seem like a life sentence from this side - he will spend 3 years confined with those who will quickly snatch away any innocence he might have left and he must live the rest of his life with the knowledge that a stupid remark cost an innocent life. For 17 MORE years he must keep his nose clean from ANY infraction of the law or he will return to prison to serve out the balance of the sentence. Pray for him.
whyworry, you are a retard. why don't we just tell all the who break the law to just turn themselves in when there in the mood?
Ms Lovett is a wonderfully compassionate woman and sets a prime example for all in lessons for humility and humanity. And whyworry, just when has the Augusta-Richmond County law enforcement ever accepted responsibility for their actions and poor judgement? Many are convicted on charges added in to the mix in order to clear cases, convicted on false confessions, or in an effort to hide what an officer did. ARC is not known for dispensing true, let alone adequate, justice. As for the young defendent, I think Judge Annis also showed some compassion in his sentencing. We need more judges like him.
Ms. Lovett is an example of Christianity in action. She is an inspiration.
To bad that ole saying about killing someone with kindness is just an ole saying becuase that punk would be dead.
I actually saw this accident when my family and I were coming home from dining out at Red Lobster. When I learned the details of the accident it occurred to me that it could have just as easily been us who were hit. I salute this lady who is gracious enough to be able to feel this way about someone who took away someone very dear to her in such a senseless way. I think that this person will live with what he caused even more so becuase of the gracious way this family dealt with his crime. Revenge does not always come in a vengeful form from those who were hurt. Sometimes it comes from inside the person who hurt someone else.
i too wish i could be the model of Christian behavior that Mrs Lovett is. It is ladies like her that make this sometimes cruel and nonsensical world fit to live in....
He got three years because he told the driver to bolt. And while his lawyer said he was joking, we all know he wasn't. Three years is fair. Because he will be out in a year, most likely, and on parole for the other 2, and then probation. Let's hope he chooses better friends after he gets out, and that he realizes he has been given a one in a million break.
God's love triumphs over all.
corgi, if I told you to insert a stick of dynamite up your butt and light it, would you? Now, if you did and it blew your butt off, would it be my fault? Your argument holds just about as much water!
iamabad and whyworry, you must be related to or know this punk. He made a bad choice not corgi, dont be mad at her because thse punks are a couple of little [filtered word]'s who did something wrong and cost someone thier life. Until he admitted instigating it, I almost agreed with you, but Ever heard of accessory????? If you go to rob a store and your partner shoots the clerk its on you too. You may not like it, but thats the law!! He wasnt a hostage who didnt approve of what was happening he was an instigator and deserves w/e he gets, especially if he had priors. He should be thankful he still has his life, the lady doesnt!!! I only hope this woman doesnt show the same mercy on the driver as he was ultimately the one who killed the lady by running, she's a better woman than I in forgiving these kids!!! You and whyworry better pray some ignorant punk doesnt take your family member one day having some fun!!! And its just sickening that a dui is still a misdemeanor, I'd bet the farm the passenger was high too!!!!
I know Ms. Lovett. She is all that the article described her to be... all of the above and more!
TAS, I stand by my statement, you want the dynamite?
Yeah for you!!! LOL Do you not comprehend the accessory and accomplice part of it?? Had he said dude, stop pull over, he never would have been in this mess, and since the driver was impaired he instigated this. You can't give a drunk or someone under the infulence keys to a vehicle and let them drive, if you do and they kill someone, you are partly responsible, thats another scenario. If you tell someone to rob a store and they do it, you arent liable, but if you go with them to do it.... duhhhhhhh you are part of it. He does have some responsibility in this and the reason for such a high sentence could be due to priors, I doubt it was just a joking statement of "go for it!!!" If you can not see this then you or your children may end up paying a criminal price for the company they/you keep also!!! If the driver was murdering someone and the other guy just watched and said stab him again stab him again, shoot him in the head... you think he should get off scott free???? Honestly??
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