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Lesa Shaffer, who is serving one year in Nevada County jail on vehicular manslaughter charges, won't be home for Christmas.
On Friday morning, Nevada County Superior Court Judge Robert Tamietti ruled against her request for a pass from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28. Shaffer, of North San Juan, was convicted of killing 54-year-old Greg Elliott while driving drunk in June 2008. Shaffer was 44 when she was sentenced in March.
Elliott's widow, Christina, and sister, Evangeline Roberts, spoke at the hearing.
Roberts said Shaffer had not proven she could learn from her mistakes, since she was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in January of this year.
“Lesa Shaffer killed my brother ... and our family's dreams for our future together,” Roberts said, breaking down in tears. “Our family is serving a life sentence.”
Christina Elliott told Tamietti she was concerned for the public's safety, because she did not think adequate safeguards would be in place for Shaffer's week-long pass.
“Why should she get to spend time with her family when we'll never spend another holiday with Greg?” she added.
Shaffer's jail time is scheduled to end Jan. 31, and she then will be under supervised probation for five years.
Her driver's license was revoked for four years, and the two vehicles at her residence were to be fitted with ignition interlock devices. She cannot have alcohol in her possession or consume alcohol, and will have to wear an alcohol sensor on her ankle. She is required to attend the Beyond Bars program while in jail and will be assessed for a treatment program after she is released.
She also cannot be employed at a business where alcohol is the primary source of income.
Members of the Elliott family expressed satisfaction with Tamietti's decision after the hearing, saying Christmas would be difficult enough without the possibility of seeing Shaffer on the street.
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.
On Friday morning, Nevada County Superior Court Judge Robert Tamietti ruled against her request for a pass from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28. Shaffer, of North San Juan, was convicted of killing 54-year-old Greg Elliott while driving drunk in June 2008. Shaffer was 44 when she was sentenced in March.
Elliott's widow, Christina, and sister, Evangeline Roberts, spoke at the hearing.
Roberts said Shaffer had not proven she could learn from her mistakes, since she was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in January of this year.
“Lesa Shaffer killed my brother ... and our family's dreams for our future together,” Roberts said, breaking down in tears. “Our family is serving a life sentence.”
Christina Elliott told Tamietti she was concerned for the public's safety, because she did not think adequate safeguards would be in place for Shaffer's week-long pass.
“Why should she get to spend time with her family when we'll never spend another holiday with Greg?” she added.
Shaffer's jail time is scheduled to end Jan. 31, and she then will be under supervised probation for five years.
Her driver's license was revoked for four years, and the two vehicles at her residence were to be fitted with ignition interlock devices. She cannot have alcohol in her possession or consume alcohol, and will have to wear an alcohol sensor on her ankle. She is required to attend the Beyond Bars program while in jail and will be assessed for a treatment program after she is released.
She also cannot be employed at a business where alcohol is the primary source of income.
Members of the Elliott family expressed satisfaction with Tamietti's decision after the hearing, saying Christmas would be difficult enough without the possibility of seeing Shaffer on the street.
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.
