Deseret News | Family begs parole board to keep man locked up who killed 6-year-old in drunken car crash

Reader comments
Family begs parole board to keep man locked up who killed 6-year-old in drunken car crash

Anonymous | 9:05 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

You know, if Tory came out looking clean, I would maybe believe that he is working on changing his life around. But when you come out looking the part people think you are, then you dont convince the people. He should stay in jail.

Peace2U | 9:06 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

A woman plowed into my best friend's business while high and drunk...killing my friend's husband in front of her family. The woman got 90 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

At my 20-yr high school reunion, my friend went up to the woman and told her she forgave her.

My friend raised her daughters (who were 2 and 6 when their dad died). They were given an example of forgiveness and don't hate the woman who took their daddy.

I don't know how I'd respond if it were my family member, but what I do know is bitterness and hatred often breeds the same.

"The monster" who took everything from this family DID NOT take away the family's ability to forgive.

The daughter said having Jacques remain incarcerated, "won't bring peace, but it's the closest we can come right now."

Whether Jacques is in or out of prison, the family can choose if they hang onto anger or they can continue to move through the stages of grief and hopefully find peace.

The parole board should consider the case, as outlined by law, and should base its decision accordingly.

JR | 9:10 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

I don't think this young man should be out on the streets yet, it is easy to put on a show to get out the door. We see it too often in our penal systems
Give him at least 5 more years to sober up and cool down. Nothing will bring back the child or take away the hurt but this young man needs more guidance than his family were able to provide.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 9:15 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

I agree, the family must forgive him for the act, but I wonder how much he's changed if he still fits the profile of a criminal?

tsm | 9:51 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

"Still fits the profile of a criminal.." How's that?

I worked in a prison cognitive change program previously. Criminals who put on a show to get out the door would have attempted to manipulate by playing on the "poor me...look at the life I had to live."

According to this article, Jacques apologized, expressed remorse and clearly says he didn't bring up his personal past. If he wanted to play the sympathy card, he could have gone that route.

My hope is the parole board will truly look at where this young man came from and where he is going. In prison, inmates can choose to take advantage and rehabilitate or they can merely bide their time.

Would I want to give a young man a chance if he's been making changes in his life? That's why there's a parole board...that's why the sentence is 1-15 years and 0-5 years. Doing something should mean something.

Crime doesn't pay! | 9:54 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

This kid who, in my humble opinion, looks like a gangster with that hair and tattoos, has only served a drop-in-the-bucket for nearly destroying the lives of an entire family and taking the life of a child and NOT by accident...by uncaring recklessness.He has no right to be out on the streets. With his record we are all in danger if he is freed. Let him and his anger and criminal problems rot. We law-abiding citizens deserve one less evil on the streets to have to worry about.

tsm | 10:47 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

He "looks like a gangster with that hair and tattoos" is a pretty strong opinion (judgment).

I have 13 piercings in one ear, 8 in the other, 7 tattoos, bleach blonde hair and a belly button piercing.

Have you formed an opinion?

I was the top 10% of my high school class. I'm a college graduate, worked for more than 20 years in human services, own a house and car, my husband is a respected teacher and I have a temple recommend.

Our penal system is designed to punish AND rehabilitate. If someone is doing more than doing time, then parole should be considered.

Prison officials say Jacques has had no trouble or write-ups while incarcerated

The sister said it...keeping Jacques in prison won't bring her brother back. However paroling Jacques WILL give him his life back.

The Smiths have gone through unimaginable heartache...so has the young man's family.18 members of his family were at the hearing...that's a lot of support. That, coupled with continued counseling would do a lot more for Jacques than sitting in prison with other criminals.

Anonymous | 10:49 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

Could someone in prison go through the rehab process in order to get out of jail on good behavior?

vandal32 | 10:52 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

he hasn't done enough time yet. He gave that family a life sentence and their son a death sentence. I hope he has turned his life around and when he does get out can be a good member of his community, but let's not forget prison is for punishment too. 10 years would be a good place to start when considering his or anyone else's parole for a drunk driving conviction. My cousin was killed by a drunk driver on the way home from her wedding rehearsal dinner and he only did 2 years, it's been 20 years and I still miss her every day.

Anonymous | 11:00 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

Have you ever shoplifted at age 10, possessed a dangerous weapon at age 12, lewd involving a child at 13, possessed drug paraphernalia and assaulted at age 14 and alcohol possession and consumption at 16? Oh and have you taken your mother's car without asking. Gotten into a confrontation with a neighbor, squealed away from that location and drove recklessly through the neighborhood, clipping another man's car and leg, then fleeing the scene? Then killed instantly six-year-old Darius?
It's not just how he looks, it's what he has done that has led him up to this point. He shouldn't be set free, if anything take him from prison to another secure facility that will continue his rehab process.
If he is set free, he will be back on the streets, and probably not because he really wants to, but because of peer pressure. He would be back in jail.

Let the parole board decide | 11:08 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

Good thing "Crime doesn't pay!" isn't judge, jury, parole board, executioner.

Jacques made some poor choices as reflected in his juvenile record. From what Cheryl Hansen, the woman who presided over the hearing, said it sounds like he had no legal troubles after age 16 (alcohol possession and consumption)until age 21 which resulted in Buddha Smith's death.

She even said he appeared to be on track with a new stepdad, but then a tragic turn of events resulted in the stepdad hanging himself and Jacques was the one to cut him down.

Under the influence of alcohol and drugs and fueled by anger, Jacques drove recklessly, resulting in the boy's death and injuries to other family members.

Another tragedy that Jacques will live with the rest of his life.

If he is making substantial changes in his life, he should be paroled. A person has the right to "be out on the streets" when rehabilitation occurs...that's how parole is designed. That's why the sentence is a range, not a set number.

work release? | 11:24 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

The penalties for his convictions were 0-5 years (on two charges I think) and 1-15 years years...so why would ten years be a good start? Obviously the legal system has set a different standard as to when a good start would be...or at least to consider.

Another secure facility to continue his rehab process...does Utah have work-release programs...would be ideal. He could work a job (enabling him to pay restitution) but then goes back to the facility after work. He could get hooked up with community based counseling and support, submit to UAs and breath tests to ensure he's maintaining sobriety...all things that are key for reducing recividism

tsm | 11:34 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

Definitely someone can go through the rehab process to get out on good behavior. In Oregon, and I would assume it's pretty standard elsewhere, before going to the parole board, an inmate has to have a complete psychological eval

Those are pretty comprehensive. I remember one inmate asked if I wanted to read his eval. He said, "I don't understand why it says I have antisocial personality disorder...I'm a very social person."

Although he was an "inmate helper" in some of the cognitive change programs, he was in no way, shape or form ready for parole. And he didn't get parolled. In fact, about a year or so after not being granted parole he escaped from a prison in Salem and was later captured after sexually assaulting a woman.

So yeah, while he may have "looked good" in many aspects, the psych eval clearly showed he wasn't ready to be released.

Crap | 11:42 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

No amount of time in prison will EVER make up for anything that person did. If the family thinks he should spend more time, he is really at thier mercy. He made that decision when he was reckless with his actions. The best outcome you can hope for is that this NEVER happens again and that he is an active part of making amends so that others don't make the same mistake. The family doesn't care what he does with his life after he is out of prison? All they ever wanted is gone. Forgiveness is impossible to give on behalf of another. He needs forgiveness from the entire family and friends, including the life he stole. He can NEVER obtain that, the best he can hope for is to be released from a burden of guilt. The family was destroyed by the loss of their child and the only hold they have is the satisfaction that his killer is not "getting away". I wish he could be released if that meant the tradgedy started when that boy was killed could take a turn for the better. Can anyone guarantee that is what will happen?

Anonymous | 11:58 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

Work Release,
Thanks for your comment! You have found the solution! If Tory is showing signs of progression, that would be best. The question now is if Utah has those options?

ST | 12:44 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

Go TSM! None of us out here in the public can judge this man. We don't have enough information to go on.Tattoo's and piercings do not make a bad person. Jesus died for all sin, if he forgives you when you sincerely ask, He will forgive this man if he is sincere. Because we have His forgiveness we should forgive, we are no better than this man. Sin is sin. Only God can judge.

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8 photos

Michael Brandy, Deseret News

Stepfather Eddie Nunn, left, comforts his wife Liza Smith, center, as she holds her daughter Ava Lilly during a hearing at the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole Tuesday for Tory Lee Jacques.

Gallery (8 photos)