Publication Date: 3/10/2007
Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
We have a 37 year old son who has had type 1 diabetes since the age of six. In 1999, he had a low, ran a red light and killed the grandson of a retired deputy sheriff. He went to trial and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. We have tried to appeal it, but so far the family carries too much clout for the prosecutor to even give a reduced sentence. We need to get this story out. There are many other people with diabetes having similar accidents and are not even being charged. Do you have any idea where we can go to get the story out?Answers
They could always contact the Government Relations & Advocacy group at the American Diabetes Association. Please call 1-800-DIABETES for information and assistance.There's simply not enough information available in your e-mail to ascertain if your son was appropriately represented during his trial, or if he did indeed deserve the sentence.
Please remember that others have used diabetes as an excuse for their criminal behavior — see the news stories about former South Dakota governor and US Representative Bill Janklow at Diabetes News for Dec 8 and Dec 31, 2003.
