Jury in Haney negligent homicide case goes to second day of deliberations on sentencing The jury deciding whether Dee Ann Haney will get probation or prison time for a 2017 crash that killed two men, went home at about 4:15 PM Thursday (2/22/2024). The jury is scheduled to reconvene at 9 AM Friday and deliberate whether Haney should spend time in prison for the deaths of Van Duoc Le, 58, and his son Hong Phuc Le, 33. The two men were killed when they were struck by a truck driven by Haney, July 3, 2017. The jury found Haney guilty of Negligent Homicide and used her truck as a deadly weapon. She will either be given probation or a prison sentence of 2 years up to 10 years in prison. •••••••••••••••••• Jury deciding the fate of Dee Ann Haney * Former Texas City commissioner faces up to 10 years in prison The jury deciding the sentencing for Dee Ann Haney began deliberations just before 11 AM Thursday (2/22/2024). Haney was convicted of Criminally Negligent Homicide using her truck as a deadly weapon. That verdict carries a minimum of 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. She is eligible for parole up to 6 1/2 years. Van Duoc Le, 58, and his son Hong Phuc Le, 33, were both hit by Haney’s truck and killed in a July 3, 2017 fatal crash on a connector road to the northbound Galveston Causeway. Closing arguments were made Thursday morning. Prosecutor Shawn Connally began by saying this was “not an accident” and the jury’s decision should come down to “justice for the Le family.” He rebutted the defense’s request for probation. “Not one day in prison for killing two people?” “She does not deserve a shot at probation.” He wrapped up by asking the jury to sentence Haney to 10 years in state prison. Haney’s Defense Attorney Kevin Rekoff started by arguing the state’s closing arguments, saying that “they don’t want you to make your decision off emotions, but then they tell you to think about the Le family’s suffering.” “The state wants revenge, not justice.” Rekoff talked about how Haney is a good person who made a mistake. “She has spent the last 40 years serving her community.” He argued that the state wouldn’t let Dee Ann apologize to the Le family, as she attempted to both times on the stand. “We are asking for probation because it is the right decision,” Rekoff closed with. Prosecutor Kacey Launius handled the back half of the state’s closing arguments. “The Le family has been here through the whole trial because Duoc and Hong cannot.” She argued that probation is not a punishment for Haney. “It is harder to be a rotarian than it is to be on probation.” “The message you would give the county [if deciding probation] is that if you hit and kill two people, being convicted is enough.” Launius argued that probation is for those with problems that are fixable, and Haney doesn’t have problems. She then argued that if the jury gives her probation, to give her 10 years, so if she messes up, the court can give her the full punishment. “She has no accountability and no responsibility for what she has done.” “Lets take a moment in this trial and think about anyone but her,” Launius added. She asked the jury to send a message to those in Galveston County that “if you kill someone on a roadway, you will be held responsible.” She finished up by asking the jury to sentence Haney to 10 years in state prison.

Posted by i45NOW Joey at 2024-02-22 17:19:31 UTC