Sentence angers family of victim in fatal DUI crash

The sentencing hearing for a woman who admitted she was drunk when she drove the wrong way on U.S. 95 and slammed head-on into another vehicle, killing its occupant, became an emotional debate Friday over the best way to punish drunken drivers.

In court along with the family and friends of the victim, Craig Schofield, were about 20 supporters of the defendant, 44-year-old Josephine Moulchin. Many of them were members of Alcoholics Anonymous, which she has been attending since the early morning collision in August 1998.

Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker had asked District Judge John McGroarty to impose the maximum sentence of eight to 20 years in prison. He chastised the state Parole and Probation Department for recommending a sentence that would put her in prison for less than half that time.

Defense attorney Allan Bray argued for leniency for the woman, who lost vision in one eye as a result of the collision that she says she can't remember because she was in an alcoholic blackout.

Bray said Moulchin's time could be more productive if she could continue to speak out publicly about the dangers of drinking and driving -- in essence, holding herself up as a bad example.

While McGroarty said there were "ample grounds for imposing the maximum because of all the misery she caused," he agreed and gave Moulchin a sentence of 3 1/2 to 12 years.

Moulchin will have to serve 44 months before she can apply for parole.

After the sentencing Schofield's supporters marched unhappily from the courtroom, while Moulchin's supporters hugged her as she stood in handcuffs awaiting transportation to the Clark County Detention Center and eventually to prison.

The prosecutor had called the parole department recommendation "clownlike" and said the judge should have sent Moulchin away for a minimum of six years.

"No one comprehended the gravity of the offense," Booker fumed. "My heart goes out to the victim."

In a tearful statement to the judge, Moulchin promised that Schofield "will be part of my life every day, regardless of where I go and no matter how far I go."

She told how she routinely attends AA sessions and tells her story.

"I'm terrified of someone not getting it like I didn't get it," Moulchin said as she fought back tears.

She said she thought she was able to control her alcoholism, but the collision taught her that was "senseless."

Schofield's sister, Cindy Schofield, glared at Moulchin in court and said, "I will never forgive you as long as I live."

When it was her turn, Moulchin responded, "I'm so sorry. I can't tell you enough how sorry I've been."

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