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I have been thinking a lot about what justice looks like in this case.
And I have come to a conclusion.
Justice isn’t just about punishing Madison Thornton.
It’s about protecting future victims.
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It’s about sending a message to every other entitled young person out there who thinks their family name puts them above the law.
It’s about vindicating officer Daniel Martinez who was just doing his job and was subjected to abuse and humiliation for it.
And it’s about restoring faith in our system.
Faith that may have been shaken by too many cases where wealthy defendants walk away with a slap on the wrist.
So here is what I have decided.
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I want you to understand that I have given this a lot of thought.
I have weighed every argument from both the prosecution and the defense and I have prayed on it because decisions like this aren’t easy.
On the charge of reckless driving from August 15, 2024, citation number 2428847, I am sentencing you to the maximum penalty allowed under Rhode Island General Law 1191.
That is 90 days in the adult correctional institutions, the state prison on Howard Avenue here in Cranston.
on the charge of attempting to intimidate a law enforcement officer under Rhode Island general law 11 to 37-7.
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I am adding another 60 days to be served consecutively, not concurrently, on the additional charge of reckless driving from the second incident on August 18th, 2024.
I am sentencing you to another 90 days, also consecutive.
That is a total of 240 days, 8 months.
You will serve this time at the women’s division of the adult correctional institutions.
And I am ordering that there be no early release for good behavior, no work release program, and no special privileges.
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You will serve your time like everyone else.
Your reporting date will be December 2nd, 2024 at 900 a.m.
In addition, I am imposing a fine of $15,000 to be paid in full within 60 days by January 26th, 2025.
Before anyone says that is too much or too little, let me explain where that money is going.
It will be divided equally into three parts.
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$5,000 will go to the Rhode Island Victims of Reckless Driving Fund.
$5,000 will go to the Providence Public Schools Safe Streets Education Program, and $5,000 will go to support the Providence Police Department’s Community Outreach and Training Programs.
I am also suspending your driver’s license, Rhode Island license number T5847239 for 3 years.
Not one year, not two years, three full years, beginning today, November 27th, 2024, and ending November 27th, 2027.
When those three years are up, you will be required to retake both the written examination and the practical road test.
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You will also be required to complete a comprehensive driver safety course of at least 30 hours.
Furthermore, you will be required to perform 200 hours of community service, specifically working with the Rhode Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving or with families of traffic accident victims at Rhode Island Hospital’s trauma center.
