Every year we hear the horror stories of those whose lives have been hurt by drunk drivers. Many have lost loved ones and struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together. It’s no laughing matter by any means, but for the Kosal family, it seemed to be.
In this unsettling story, a life was lost as an engaged couple drove down the road. Jerome went to pick up his fiance’ Brittany from work. Both were 31 years old and had children together. The kids were left at their grandmother’s house that evening but normally went with their dad on these types of trips.
Their car was struck by 25-year-old Amanda Kosal who was intoxicated. Jerome had injuries but recovered well. Unfortunately, his love Brittany died from the wreck.
Kosal admitted to the crime of driving drunk and cried during the court case. It was during this time that her family members started to express the opposite types of emotion. They started chuckling and laughing as family members expressed pain and the loss of Brittany in a statement.
Judge Qiana Lillard made it clear that this type of behavior was unacceptable in her courtroom.
“It’s time for him to go. … In the entire time that Mr. Zirker’s sister was speaking, that clown — and that’s what I am going to call him, a clown — was sitting there smiling and laughing.”
She also looked towards the mother of the drunk driver.
“And you can go, too. Because if you don’t know how to act, you can go to jail. …
“This is a court of law. And these are very serious matters.
“I understand that you all are very upset because your loved one is going to prison, but guess what? She’s going to prison for the choices that she made.
“These people are here grieving, saddened because a senseless act took away their loved one and you’re sitting here acting like it’s a joke? Not in Courtroom 502. Not today and not any other day.”
As a result, the mother ended up going to jail for criminal contempt. She was given 93 days in jail but after apologizing to the judge, it was reduced to a day.
Judge Lillard posted the incident on social media and received several comments in support of her actions.
Please pray for the families of all involved in this accident.