Dear Judge Tillet,

I am Shana's dad . Do you have children, Your Honor? I am sure you love your children more than your own life and would do all you could to protect them from harm. Our children are a gift from the Lord and are most precious.

I remember sitting next to my Shana in Sentara Hospital's trauma unit holding her hand and praying to the Lord Jesus to spare her precious life. Shana's sisters, her Mom, and I, were on our knees to God praying for a miracle to come. Our Shan Shan would open her eyes and we would take her home with us.

The last memory I have of my Shana is lying in a coma on her hospital bed. I would wipe the tears from her eyes when the pain would increase, sing to her for encouragement, and kissing her good-bye for the last time. My God chose not to answer our prayers according to our desires. He did take my Shana home to be with Him for all eternity. That is a miracle by His grace.

Why do I bring the Lord into my statement? Because we are all accountable to Him for our actions during our life time. Your Honor, you have been chosen by God to minister the law of the land in Dare County. Where lawlessness resides, the people will suffer. The disregard for the drunk driving laws of our county have had a devastating affect on our lives. I have spoken to many EMTs, police officers and emergency care workers on the banks. Their frustration in witnessing time and again DWI crash scenes has taken its toll. One fireman has resigned his position as a direct result of this crash. Our county cannot afford to lose such dedicated people. An individual who is apprehended for a DWI only to have the charge reduced or dropped is very frustrating. These people continue to drink and drive. The penalty for a reduced charge of reckless driving is almost always a $100 fine and a suspended sentence. Littering seems to bring a more serious penalty.

Miss Marvin will drink and drive again if she is permitted to escape her debt to our society. You have the power to prevent her from driving by incarceration. A maximum sentence will not bring back my Shana,my Amanda, my Angie, my Megan.It may perhaps, discourage another Miss Marvin from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and killing someone you love, Judge. A liberal attitude towards Drunk Driving does and will one day effect each one of us.

Please consider the message being sent to our community and nation when you pass sentence on Miss Marvin.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Shana's Dad, Paul Lawler