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Same behavior, same disregard for human life, same arrogance.
It was as if that citation, that warning, and the law itself meant nothing to her.
You see, I have been doing this job for 32 years.
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Since 1992, I have sat in this chair in the Providence Municipal Court, and I have seen teenagers make stupid mistakes.
I have seen young people who made bad choices but showed genuine remorse.
I have seen people who came from difficult circumstances make errors in judgment.
And you know what? In many of those cases, I have shown mercy.
I have given second chances.
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I have reduced sentences.
I have offered community service instead of jail time because I believe in redemption.
I believe people can change.
I believe in the power of compassion.
But I also believe in accountability.
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I believe that actions have consequences.
And I believe that when someone shows a pattern of behavior that demonstrates a complete and total disregard for the safety of others, for the law, and for basic human respect, well then this court has an obligation.
It is an obligation to protect the community and to send a message that no one, and I mean no one, is above the law.
Now, let me talk about something else that has been brought to my attention.
The defendant’s father, Robert Thornton, CEO of Thornton Industries, a company that owns 17 commercial properties in downtown Providence and 12 residential developments across Rhode Island, employing over 230 people, has been trying to use his influence to make this case go away.
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Between August 20th and September 5th, I personally received seven phone calls to my chambers.
I received four written letters.
I have had three different people come to my office, including city councilman James Patterson from Ward 3, attorney Michael Brereslin from the firm of Brelin and associates on Westminster Street, and even Samuel Rodriguez, president of the Providence Chamber of Commerce.
All of them suggested that maybe we should work something out, that maybe his daughter has learned her lesson, or that maybe a substantial donation to the Providence Youth Foundation or the Police Benevolent Association would be appropriate.
They mentioned amounts between $50,000 and $75,000.
