An illegal Bolivian immigrant, found responsible for the DUI felony murder of a Benedictine nun, along with five other felony charges, will face up to 70 years in prison, as reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
C.A.M.M., 24, was found guilty for DUI - his third offense - along with two convictions for malicious wounding and one for involuntary manslaughter. He also failed to drive with a valid license.
C.A.M.M. pleased not guilty to a charge of felony murder - though found guilty - and that count alone carries up to 40 years of prison time. He was then handcuffed and removed from court. He now awaits his sentencing that is scheduled for February 3.
Paul Ebert, the Prince William Commonwealth's attorney, told reporters that he will be asking for a much longer sentence than the current guidelines suggest.
In regards to the nuns visiting C.A.M.M. while he was in jail in an effort to show him mercy for his actions, Ebert said, "I appreciate their feelings and their teaching and profession. They're forgiving people."
On August 1 of last year, one nun lost her life in the accident and two others were seriously injured. All three were sisters in the same order: the Richmond-based Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.
Ebert holds fast to the belief that though the religious order practices forgiveness, the nuns would like to see that justice is done. He argued this point in court, bringing up C.A.M.M.'s history of DUI convictions.
C.A.M.M. has received two DUI convictions in his past - the last was in 2009 where his driver's license was removed for three years. But, as Ebert contended, as C.A.M.M. drove again, without benefit or a legal license, and while drunk, "He thumbed his nose at the law."
Due to C.A.M.M.'s illegal immigrant status, Corey A. Stewart, the Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold dangerous offenders until deportation.
Stewart said that since there were approximately 4,000 illegal immigrants arrested in Prince William since 2007 - all of which have unknown whereabouts today - that detaining them would insure that "tragedies like this can be prevented in the future."
C.A.M.M.'s family was faced, for the first time, with images of the deceased and injured. The head-on collision killed Sister D. and injured fellow sisters C.L. and C.R.L. while the group was headed from their convent to a Mass at their monastery.
Sister C. said that she saw the oncoming car, which she thought was trying to pass her on a two-lane road, before it crashed into her vehicle.
C.A.M.M.'s vehicle had 20 beer cans inside that were discovered by investigators. One investigator, L.Z., said, "He basically said that he hadn't been drinking since the night before" when the learned that his blood alcohol was almost three times the legal driving limit.
Judge Lon E. Farris deliberated for 10 minutes before announcing his verdict.
Charges that stem from DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI shouldn't be taken lightly. Contact a DUI attorney to help you avoid loosing your driving privileges, heavy fines or jail time.