OPINION & EDITORIAL
Don’t pass go, don’t collect $200
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Also by Casey Hoff:
- State should allow cabbies to carry (November 22, 2005)
- Don't pass go, don't collect $200 (April 18, 2005)
- Lawmakers twist Avery case for political, personal ends (November 29, 2005)
- Left-wing, right-wing out of bounds with war rhetoric (April 25, 2005)
- Residents, police need to work together (December 6, 2005)
Related Stories:
- Groceries? Try governing first (September 20, 2007)
- Passing on the bus pass (December 6, 2001)
- Turkey day trouble (November 20, 2003)
- MCSC's budget (October 23, 2001)
- UW Dems limit Woods' support (January 30, 2007)
by Casey Hoff
Monday, April 18, 2005
In baseball, it’s three strikes. In school, it’s failing classes. In marketing, it’s not meeting your sales quotas. All of these things are deliberately avoided because they result in negative consequences for the individual involved. But in the world of Cara Erickson, a 22-year-old University of Wisconsin student, bad behavior has brought her compassion and understanding from a judge, rather than a much deserved prison sentence.
Aug. 27, 2000, Cara Erickson hit and killed 17-year-old Jason Skaaning. Erickson was convicted of drunken driving homicide and sentenced to nine months in jail, 15 years of probation and one week in jail around Christmas for the period of her probationary sentence. Erickson and her family appeared elated after the sentence was handed down because, after all, she killed a boy and got off easy.
Part of Erickson’s probation stipulates she cannot drink or do any drugs whatsoever, a logical and seemingly simple demand to follow, considering that even the thought of alcohol would make any normal person with an ounce of remorse cringe after a drunken driving homicide. However, Erickson apparently has no remorse for what she did because since she was sentenced, she has been caught violating her probation not once, not twice, but three times!
She’s been caught once for smoking marijuana and twice for drinking alcohol. The most recent violation occurred after police pulled a car over Feb. 25 for speeding. Erickson and her friends were in the car, drunk after a night of partying at a local bar. Imagine the audacity it must take for someone to kill another human being driving drunk and then to even think about looking at a bottle of alcohol ever again, much less being out partying before getting into a car, drunk.
However, the most outrageous part of this whole story is the utter incompetence of Judge Thomas Bround, who is not punishing Erickson sufficiently for her three violations. Last week, during the sentencing phase of court hearings, Judge Bround said Erickson is a “model probationer.” He attempted to back up his claim by stating, “As a student at UW-Madison, she has earned good grades …” Bround continued his complimentary antics of saying he was impressed she “worked 20 to 30 hours a week.” Finally, Judge Bround said, “She is extremely remorseful.”
A model probationer? She’s violated it three times! And then the judge says she’s remorseful. Excuse me, but if she were even the least bit remorseful, she would start going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings instead of partying it up with her friends all the time.
I had the chance to speak with Elysia Skaaning and Pam Skaaning on my radio show last week, the sister and mother of Jason Skaaning. The death of Jason still deeply affects each and every waking moment of their lives. Elysia and Pam both expressed to me their complete disgust with this judge’s decision. Everyone should share in the Skaaning family’s anger and outrage because one of your loved ones could be the next to die if this walking time bomb, Cara Erickson, detonates again.
Judge Bround’s discretion on this case illustrates his incredible incompetence in protecting the safety of the people of Dane County. He has shirked his judiciary responsibility and will have blood on his hands if Erickson kills another human being. How many more people have to die for a killer to be brought to justice?
Last week, the listeners of my radio show flooded Judge Bround’s office with phone calls and e-mails after I gave his contact information out on the air. The Skaaning family told me they were greatly appreciative of that sign of support from the community. I’m urging you to call or e-mail Judge Bround as well and express your outrage over his ridiculous decision (608-266-9423 or thomas.bround@doa.state.wi.us).
Even if nothing can be done legally in this case, at least we can send Judge Bround a message that his decision was completely out of line and he can’t let it happen again. A family is in mourning right now. I hope you’ll show your support for them. After all, it’s the right thing to do.
Casey Hoff (choff@badgerherald.com) is a UW student and the host of “New Ground with Casey Hoff,” live Monday through Friday, 9-11 a.m., on Talk Radio 1670 WTDY.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 1:49am):
Casey Hoff is such a right-winger. All he ever does is complain about everything being "too liberal." Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen him criticize anything from the left.
I think we've found the next Joe Lieberman guys!! Is Casey ready for some Jomentum?
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:06am):
^ lay off the crack pipe.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:07am):
If this was a male that killed a kid, would he have got off this easy? Not a chance in hell.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:18am):
"Casey Hoff is such a right-winger."
Maybe, but he's right in this case. Cara Erickson killed an innocent boy through her own recklessness, then violated her probation three times. She has clearly shown that she is incapable of stopping her dangerous behavior. Does she need to kill someone else before she is finally given the punishment she deserves?
And why is it that Wisconsin judges are so lenient on drunk driving in general? Why are there so many people who are caught DUI five, six, even seven times, who still have their licenses? Why aren't these people in jail?
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:19am):
Here cums the Judge? Maybe she's "modeling" for him?
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:29am):
How did the listeners "flood" the judge's office with e-mails and phone calls when thre are like 20 total people listening to WTDY?
More importantly why did Hoff wait to pounce on this issue until AFTER the judge's decision? It was all over the news long beforehand. Hoff had the "power" to do something long ago but yet all he did was follow the typical, lazy route of being the Monday morning quarterback. I'm sure Cara Erickson thanks you, Casey.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:31am):
"In marketing, it's not meeting your sales quotas."
Wouldn't the field be considered sales then buddy.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:36am):
If you talked about this topic on your radio show than why did you feel the need to write about it too? Oh that's right, because nobody listens to your show. It becomes more and more obvious each week that this is merely an advertisment for your failing radio career.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:37am):
Casey, normally I don't agree with most of your columns. Actually, I really hate them. However, in this column, you are right on. Thanks for bringing this story to light. I agree with you 100 percent.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 8:26am):
Let me guess: is this girl hot?
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 9:43am):
Christ! can't you feedback people stop bitching about every article?
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 10:23am):
I'm guessing this girl is good looking and her family is higher up in the socioeconomic heirarchy. Makes me sick and it would serve the judge right if one of his family members was run over by Erickson.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 10:30am):
Wait, I guess she's not that greata looking, so nevermind.
http://www.channel3000.com/video/4374966/detail.html
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 10:49am):
I blame the patriarchy. Erickson is a political prisoner.
Signed,
UW Womens' Studies Dept.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 10:56am):
She's not hot.
Video here: http://www.channel3000.com/video/4374966/detail.html
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 11:45am):
She's a dog and she deserves to be in jail.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 1:27pm):
She must be banging the judge.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 1:59pm):
What are you all bitching about? You elect ultra-liberal judged in Dane County, you get ultra-liberal decisions.
Sucks when it hits close to home though. How many of all you have driven drunk and gotten away with it? How many of you think you should lose your license after one DUI if you get pulled over drunk next weekend? But what if its some drunk guy who hits your best friend? But really, you both did the same thing.
Get some moral clarity. You want this girl to be severly punished (which she should be) for doing exactly the same thing many of you do every weekend.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 2:24pm):
"You elect ultra-liberal judged in Dane County, you get ultra-liberal decisions."
Dude, you blew it! Your talking point, when bringing up judges in democratic areas, is supposed to include the word *ACTIVIST*. Karl Rove is going to give you a time-out for that goof.
"You want this girl to be severly punished (which she should be) for doing exactly the same thing many of you do every weekend."
Ummm nice oversimplification. So what you think is that "many" UW students go out and get drunk and kill someone every weekend? Like you said, that's "exactly the same thing many of you do every weekend"???
Gawd, you're an idiot.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 2:47pm):
All the drunk driving happens in Madison? Why don't you hang out up north with some ultra conservative types and see how often they get loaded up and drive around their pick up trucks.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 3:03pm):
There's nothing activist about the judge's decision. He hasn't rewritten or ignored any existing laws in his sentencing. He just gave a very lenient sentence.
No, driving drunk and getting a ticket isnt the same thing as driving drunk and killing someone, but the cause is the same. However it does seem somewhat hypocritical to call for this girl's head because she killed someone, while if a different person just went in a ditch you probably think a hefty fine is enough. The bottom line is both offenses need to have substatial punishment behind them. Drunk driving is not an accident, it is completly preventable.
A previous poster is correct, drunk driving is not taken very seriously in this state, eg. Lautenschlager. I also know someone in WI who has had 5 DUIs, all of them extremely reckless but no one hurt. He still has his license.
But we like to pretend we're serious by lowering the limit to .08 which all that does is generate more ticket revenue from people who arent really drunk.
I don't have all the answers, but mandatory jail time and license revocation for your first DUI seems like a start. But the root of the problem is alcohol abuse, which is only being encouraged by the high age limit, regulations on alcohol, and society's view of alcohol as bad instead of something that can be enjoyed responsibly by everyone of all ages.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 3:38pm):
The penalty systems are based on results not on intentions in most cases.
If you kill someone shooting at cats in your backyard you will be given a heavier sentence than if they just catch you shooting at cats.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 3:47pm):
Isn't it mostly WUI in Madison?
(Walking Under Influence)
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 4:28pm):
"You want this girl to be severly punished (which she should be) for doing exactly the same thing many of you do every weekend."
Let me be clear: anyone who drinks and drives should be severely punished. And if someone who drinks and drives kills someone, I think their license should be revoked immediately. No second chances -- after all, the person they killed didn't get a second chance to live, so why should they get a second chance to drive?
Ann Bemis (April 18, 2005 @ 5:00pm):
Hi,
Thanks for the story.
The judge should have one of his family or friends killed by a drunk driver and perhaps his opinion would change. I am not wishing that on anyone, but sometimes one has to walk a mile in someone else's shoes to understand the hurt that accompanies decisions that are made.
I have never understood why the same punishment for murder is not given to a person driving a car while drunk as it is to a person using a gun. It is a choice to drink and drive just as it is to take a gun and shoot someone. The punishment should be the same.
Thank you.
Ann Bemis
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 5:10pm):
Thankfully with the end of the semester comes the end of these radio show ads and that ugly face picture.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 7:30pm):
Drunk drivers don't kill people.. Stupid people walking in front of drunk drivers kill people..
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 9:34pm):
Who would win in a douche bag contest, Hoff or Baumgardner? Discuss.
Anonymous (April 18, 2005 @ 11:20pm):
Drunk drivers don't kill people.. Stupid people walking in front of drunk drivers kill people..
~wow..why would you even read..and invest time in making and comment on this article if you feel this way? if only stupidity could kill...we could get rid of all of the people who make stupid comments like this one. And we would have more room on this earth for the innocent victims who would actually do something good for the world.
Anonymous (April 19, 2005 @ 10:54am):
Not sure if I agree with the idea of the judge having someone in his family killed by a driver just to drive the point home. Not saying that I defend the judge, he should have tossed Erickson in jail. But an eye for an eye isn't the answer...
Anonymous (April 19, 2005 @ 10:54am):
Not sure if I agree with the idea of the judge having someone in his family killed by a driver just to drive the point home. Not saying that I defend the judge, he should have tossed Erickson in jail. But an eye for an eye isn't the answer...
~Hagman
Anonymous (April 20, 2005 @ 6:54pm):
Hello,
If Cara is getting good grades and working hard, the state should not take away her right to have a good time. She is a good looking girl that works too hard not to party it up with her friends. It was an accident, no matter if she was drunk or not, why should she get any more than a christmas in the slammer. Now, I know that the second drunk driving, according to Hoff, is kind of a big deal, especially how close it was to her last accident, but still its not like she had another accident because of it. she was only speeding. The government should stay out of her hair, sounds like she has too bright of a future to spend it behind bars because of these honest mistakes. The Judge said himself that she seems remorseful, why isnt that enough?
Is this how it is suppose to work? I would think that any prosecution would have a blast taking this to an appellate. Hoff is absolutly right about the citizens of our capital beign put at risk because of these bungling represenatives. There is got to be something holding back this judge and the state prosecution from throwing the book at her.
Anonymous (April 20, 2005 @ 7:00pm):
Those of you who think Cara did nothing wrong, o was just being a normal teen should be tried for murder too. Casey- you are right on with this article... if those "Cara supporters" lost a loved one b/c of some dick face they would not be talkin.... so those of you who really have messed up views- THINK BEFORE YOU POST!
Anonymous (April 20, 2005 @ 7:06pm):
PS- THIS ISN'T A POLITICAL BATTLE... liberal/conservative- stop that crap!- A BOY LOST HIS LIFE B/C SHE IS STUPID! SHE DESERVES TO BE IN JAIL-AND THAT'S THE ONLY BATTLE ANY CARBON BASED PERSON WOULD CARE ABOUT- the rest of you are creeps!
Anonymous (April 25, 2005 @ 12:25pm):
So, you want us to show our support for a "mourning family" by harassing an administrative law judge? You're a moron. Worse yet, you're a moron and a shitty writer.
Anonymous (December 19, 2005 @ 2:34pm):
i am not one to make accusations. but today, December 19, would have been Jason Skaannings 23rd birthday. Each year, for the past three years, Pam, Dennis, and Elysia Skaanning have organized a blood drive on his birthday, in his memory.
Today was no different. I stood at the Blood Drive today, and looked around at the pictures of Jason as a child, and listened to the story of what happened on August 27, 2000 from his mother Pam. I watched her eyes fill with tears after every donation. Jason was taken from her when he was only seventeen. he didn't just die, he was killed, he was murdered.
and what does Cara have to do? spend this week in jail? that means nothing. there are 51 weeks out of the year when she gets to walk around free, and do what? party? shes broken her probation how many times now? she was only caught three times. what about the other times when she probably just got lucky.
Justice was not served, in any way.
Jason's life means more then a week out every year. Something needs to be done here. Cara does not deserve what she has gotten, a free pass out of being a murderer. Jason Skaanning did not deserve what he got either, but he does deserve to rest in peace, knowing that his life will always be cherished.
