Later, his defense attorney tried to explain the hard circumstances of Jacques' life that led to his drinking and destructive lifestyle.

The boy had been abandoned by his biological father, had been abused by a stepfather and then had developed a loving relationship with a new stepdad, his attorney explained. State prosecutors said Jacques had been in and out of the state's juvenile justice system since age 11 or 12. He started abusing drugs and alcohol at age 13.

But attorney Denise Williamson told the court the young man got back on track about age 18 with a mentor in his new stepfather who loved him and his mother.

But in a traumatic turn of events, the new stepdad took his own life by hanging himself from the rafters in the family's basement. Jacques' young brother cried out for Jacques when he discovered the body, and Jacques cut the man down. That event seemingly changed Jacques' life.

In late 2002, he was charged with lewdness involving a child. He had two speeding tickets, and the drinking continued, a judge said.

By Oct. 25, 2003, his driver's license was suspended and Jacques was in a downward spiral.

Jacques' friend Star testified he passed out on Jacques' couch that evening and woke up about 9:30 p.m. He didn't see his buddy then, but chilling testimony from several witnesses fleshed out the 45-minute period before Jacques' vehicle hit the Smiths and his intoxicated, angry behavior that was described by 3rd District Judge Pat Brian as a "vehicular rampage."

At 8000 West and 3500 South, Jacques' car screamed up behind a car driven by Silverbear Johns, who was returning home with his fiancee after a trip to a fast-food restaurant.

Johns, a teenager, said Jacques' car tailgated him so closely Johns couldn't see the hood of the car, and Jacques' vehicle tapped his bumper. Johns pulled off the road, hoping the car would pass. Instead, the car pulled behind him. Johns got out of his car, thinking he might know the other driver. When he saw it was no one he recognized, he returned to his car.

But Jacques drove quickly toward him, almost hitting him, Johns told the court. Johns was able to dive inside his vehicle just as Jacques' vehicle slammed into the open driver's door. Johns injured his leg and knee in the process.

Right about that time, Earl Smith's girlfriend called him from McDonald's to let him know she was getting off work. Smith's car wasn't working, and the fast-food restaurant was a couple of miles away, so she said she'd start walking toward Smith's home and Smith said he would meet her halfway.

Earl and Liza Smith were divorced then, and the children were spending the night with their dad.