‘09 Easter Sunday crash leaves heartache all around
A tragedy all around.
For the families of Robert Carter; his wife, Delisia; their 2-month-old son, Ethan Carter; and Delisia Carter’s daughter, 9-year-old Kayla Lemons. And for another child, 6-year-old Morgan Johnson.
All were killed in south Fulton in that 2009 Easter Sunday crash caused by 24-year-old Aimee Michael, a college grad who fled the scene and covered up her role for days with the help of her mother, Sheila Michael, who the judge in the case said “failed” her daughter.
The case is also a tragedy for Robert Michael, a former Marine working for the military overseas who returned to see his daughter and wife led off Friday in chains to serve 50-year and eight-year sentences, respectively.
Did the punishments fit the crimes? Could they ever in a case this tragic?
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755 comments Add your comment
LH
November 5th, 2010
8:39 am
Honestly, it’s all so sad. Familes lost family members. She messed up and has basically lost her life. It’s just sad all the way around. I also find the punishment a bit harsh. One can rape and murder with malice and not get this much punishment.
DV
November 5th, 2010
9:00 am
Absolutely!!! She can sit in prison and think about what she has done!!
Norvee Michele
November 5th, 2010
9:01 am
I agree with the judge. Aimee’s mother failed her. she should’ve called the police and escorted her back to the scene of the crime. Five people lost their lives due to her carelessness. Their families will have to deal with what happened for a lifetime. Sure accidents happen, but to run from the scene of the crime and attempt to cover it up was just wrong. She’s young so i’m guessing she panicked. But the mom should’ve known much better. I feel very sorry for the families and their loss. but I also see LH’s point people who have done crimes have received much less punishment. I’m inclined to think the government wanted to make an example out of her and her mother.
Gary
November 5th, 2010
9:01 am
I agree with LH that this whole episode is sad all the way around. However, I actually agree with the punishment. She caused a horrific accident, destroyed an entire family, and ran. The running away, trying to cover-up the accident, and not coming forward right away are the reasons why the punishment is so severe. If she would have just stopped or called police, her life would not be thrown away.
Salsa Chips
November 5th, 2010
9:01 am
I find the punishment harsh..Her serving 36 years will not bring the deceased back. It is so very sad on every level, I’m so very sorry for the families who lost their loved ones.
Joker
November 5th, 2010
9:02 am
This is a joke. She should be doing a life sentence minimum. Approximately 11 years in prison for each victim. This is justice??
Sharica
November 5th, 2010
9:02 am
In my opinion, I do not have any problem with the punishment. I feel that the only reason why she got as much time as she did was because you tried to cover up the crime. 36years at the age 24…wow!! Life pretty much over.
MzNewy
November 5th, 2010
9:03 am
It is so sad. The punishment fits the crime because of the cover-up. For 10 days she hid her car and sought to escape justice. Even when confronted she lied and denied any knowledge although it was plastered all over the news. I find it troubling that she said she “looked in the rearview mirror and saw the flames” yet she kept driving. If she had not been discovered, she would not have turned herself in and because of that, I am convinced that the remorse she showed in court was not for the act but for the punishment she received.
JW
November 5th, 2010
9:06 am
IIt’s truly sad. It also unfortunately that one HUGE mistake can cost this young lady the majority of her life. I do struggle with the verdict because drug dealers and murders have gotten less time. Her mother was wrong however I do ask how many mothers first instinct is to protect their child. On another note perhaps this is a lesion that can be shared with others… that being one is responsible for ones on actions
NLR84
November 5th, 2010
9:07 am
She caused a crash that took the lives of 5 people. Knowing that she caused such a horrific accident, she fled. Knowing that the cops were looking for her, she and her mother took drastic measures to ensure that she would not get caught. Accidents happen, but her actions to get away with the crime are what I think got her in so much trouble. She deserves every day she spends behind bars. It’s just a shame that someone so young and someone with seemingly unlimited potential will spend most of her productive years behind bars, but at least that’s better than the sentence her victims received.
Billy
November 5th, 2010
9:07 am
Yes it fits, didn’t 5 people die? We have no idea why she did not stay at the scene, she was probably drunk and/or on drugs. Maybe the next person that does something like this will see the sentence and hang around after they cause such a tragedy
Unknown Hinson
November 5th, 2010
9:08 am
I agree as well. If she would not have tried to pull a sneaky cover up she wouldn’t be serving so long and to think she was not going to get caught she deserves it for being that stupid alone. We don’t need any more stupid people out in the real world because we have plenty as it is. Even scarier part is the drivers on Camp Creek are absolutely horrible, I fear for my life every time I want to get lunch. I think I’ve seen drivers up there use their blinker 3 times. Same with Old National.
NLR84
November 5th, 2010
9:08 am
Joker, this wasn’t a murder. She didn’t intend to kill them The punishment definitely fits the crime.
BeachBum
November 5th, 2010
9:08 am
I actually agree with the punishment. Had she simply stopped, and admitted fault in the accident, she would have still been charged with vehicular homicide, but the penalty would have been less severe. However, she left the scene, tried to cover up her role in the accident, and then allowed her attorney to present a defense (a lie) that she was hit by the other vehicle first.
squirrelly
November 5th, 2010
9:10 am
Sad for the families of the victims, not sad for the Michaels. She should have gotten a life sentence for each death, 6 in all, and the “mother” a life sentence too. The way Aimee Michael and her mother tried to lie, scheme, and cover up to try to get away with it is beneath humanity. The punishment is not enough, neither one of those 2 animals should ever see the light of day again. The 6 killed in the crash sure won’t…..
DB
November 5th, 2010
9:11 am
Part of me looks at this young woman and thinks, “36 years — she’s going to be 60 when she gets out of jail?!” That seems like a long time for an accident and a series of poorly panicked decisions.
But there were five people killed who will never have the chance to reach 60, and there needs to be accountability. I don’t really go with the extra harshness for fleeing the scene of the accident and trying to cover it up. Other criminals commit crimes and flee the scene of crimes all the time, and they aren’t dealt with extra-harshly because of that. Why make an “example” out of this particular case?
Did the victim’s families get to weigh in on the sentencing? I wonder how they feel about it, if they think it was about right or too harsh.
RedDawg77
November 5th, 2010
9:12 am
She deserves to be punished. Both mother and daughter should do time. I have to agree that there are paid killers that get less time than 36 years! There is no way of knowing (since she ran away and hid for two weeks after the wreck) but it was reported that marijuana was found in the vehicle when the police found her. Aimee was (supposedly) a habitual pot user. If this was the case in the wreck (and only Aimee knows this for sure), then she deserves a very harsh sentence. At this point, she will never be a contributing member of society. Never.
Justice
November 5th, 2010
9:12 am
I agree with LH as well, it is sad all the way around. I think she should be punished but the sentence is a bit harsh and I don’t agree with the judge and the prosecutor withholding the information about the marjuana joint that was found in the car. I am praying for all families involved.
liz
November 5th, 2010
9:13 am
Her actions and those of her mother demonstrate an attitude more common than not—those people aren’t my problem. The movie and gaming industry have encouraged us to think that we can and should get away with things. In addition to having no moral compass they are both just plain stupid and if they had had any common sense, they would have known they’d be found out and it wouldn’t go well.Their sentences may serve as lessons for other stupid self-entitled folks.
Voice of Reason
November 5th, 2010
9:14 am
She was not punished for the loss of life. She was punished for what she did afterwards which would make the punishment too harsh. In the article yesterday it was written that her chances of being charged with the deaths of the individuals that died in the crash were slim because it was an accident. The primary focus of this entire case was not who caused the accident,or what was the intent of the person who caused the accident but more so on her leaving the scene of an accident and trying to cover up the accident. If no deaths occured she would have gotten probation at best for the charges she was actually tried for. The deaths were used only to increase her sentence. Sad state of affairs
LK
November 5th, 2010
9:16 am
Yes it is fair, she killed five people. Three of these had their entire lives ahead of them. If it had been just an accident and not a hit and run, different story. How could she not stop when she saw the cars on fire and knew the people were dying.
Jst Sayin
November 5th, 2010
9:17 am
A very sad situation. I have a feeling this wasn’t the first time Aimee’s mother covered for her daughter’s ‘bad’ behavior. It’s also very disturbing that Aimee applied for grad school a few days after the crash. It’s the coldness and callousness of her actions that warranted a punishment of this nature.
Brandon
November 5th, 2010
9:17 am
This punishment is way too harsh. At the end of the day it was a traffic accident. Neither the defense nor the prosecutors agreed on who exactly caused it. Michaels should do 10-15yrs max, for the gutless cover up. 36 years should be reserved for people that meant to hurt and kill others, not for car accidents. She didn’t wake up and say let me go cause a deadly wreck today. If she stayed at the scene those people still would have died. Accidents happen…
Big Nick
November 5th, 2010
9:18 am
Legally, I think her sentence was “light.” Aimee Michael, after causing a wreck that KILLED five people (three being young children), fled the sceene, tried to cover up the accident and lied to police about her involvement, should have gotten at least 50 yrs. Especially after her hearing about the horrific accident, knowing the police were looking for her, STILL did not turn herself in. I have no sympathy for her. She is a piece of garbage.
On the flip side though…I am a true beleiver that if all the relatives of the killed individuals agreed to this punishment, then that is fine with me. Aimee Michael is still a piece of garbage for not having the humanity to stop and at least try and help the living victims.
As for her mother…. What mother would do what she did, knowing that her daughter was responsible for the deaths of three little children? The mother should have gotten at least 15 years, but again, if the sentence sits well with the victims’ family, then justice has been served.
Shaun
November 5th, 2010
9:18 am
I don’t think the mom should have gotten 8 years. Most of us would be torn between doing what you thought would help your child. she should have got 3 years for it, because her actions did not have an affect on the ones who died. However, I do believe that the sentence for Amy was just.
Greg S.
November 5th, 2010
9:18 am
Five people dead. Three of them children. And this young woman chose to leave the scene. Her mother then chose to help her cover up her role in this nightmare. I understand she may have frightened when the accident occurred but she didn’t do the right thing when she calmed down. And her mother didn’t help her make the right decision. Essentially they both collaborated in trying to hide multiple vehicular homicide. The moment the decision was made to hide the crime rather than come forward is the moment this woman forfeited so many years of her life. Is the sentence fair? Yes, she was given 10 years per victim. It must be remembered five humans were robbed of their lives and thank goodness we in America still value human life. I hope this event acts as a lesson for others to demonstrate the importance of decisions in our lives.
Mike
November 5th, 2010
9:19 am
This case was decided by a jury of her peers. Case closed! The sentencing phase by the judge was a little lenient, but, i’ll settle for it. Someone said, “a murderer or rapist with Malice intent doesn’t get this kind of time!” Well, how many lives did she leave at the scene to suffer? Who knows, maybe she could have saved @ least one life by, you know, sticking around?
It boils down to 7 years per life! She’ll get another shot @ society, those 5 vitims and their families won’t!
Btw, she said, “as I looked in the mirror, I said to myself, someone is going to have to pay for this. I’m going to be in a lot of trouble” as SHE DROVE OFF!
CD
November 5th, 2010
9:20 am
Let’s see. If she had remained at the scene or turned herself in she would have received probation. People would still be dead. She lied, violating the 9th commandment, and the punishment is equivalent to what a murderer, rapist, or major drug dealer would receive. Wow. The lie did not cause the deaths yet it gets a punishment as if it did. I think something is wrong with our system that there can be such a disparity over the concealment of the truth. It is particularly troubling when I have read of political ad deceptions every day for the past six months and there is no punishment for lying to get elected.
jake's mom
November 5th, 2010
9:21 am
It is terribly sad all the way around. And I agree…Mom failed when she aided in the coverup. If anything, her sentence should have been harsher. But for Aimee…serving 36 years or 50 isn’t much difference. Her life is over just like the victims of the crash. But it really speaks loud and clear to the consequences of our actions. If we can take anything good away from this tragedy it’s to pause and consider what we’re doing.
HDG
November 5th, 2010
9:21 am
This is a very sad situation. I feel for the families of the victims as well as Aimee Micheals. This is an example of how your life can change in an instant. If only she had stayed, if only her mother had taken her back to the scene, if only her mother had turned her in to the police. If either of these what if’s had of taken place the sentencing would be very different. It is sad when you look to your parents for guidance and instead of leading you in the right direction they lead you down a path of deceit. I feel sad for everyone involved.
KM
November 5th, 2010
9:21 am
I think the punishment fit the crime and should have been more severe. I understand she was scared but she ran, covered up evidence with the help of her mother and initially lied to the authorities about her involvement. The police had to find her. She was never going to turn herself in and take responsibility for what she had done. I don’t think this is the first time the mother ever covered up something for this young lady either, its probably been happening her whole life. You have to be held accountable for you actions and you live with the choices you make.
say she does not run away
November 5th, 2010
9:22 am
How much time then-if she was on pot? cold sober? My brother was killed by a bad driver-she was fined and whatever-in this- case five people, including kids.-tough one
Sober-5 years
Stoned-20 yr
Charles
November 5th, 2010
9:22 am
I have the admit the revelation about the marijuana has me re-thinking my initial thoughts and may explain some of her behavior, but overall, I still feel the sentence is way to harsh. Why not just give her the death penalty. She’s a young woman who made a terrible mistake, but under the sentencing, now has no chance for a second life. I think something like 20 years with a chance of parole after 10 would have been more realistic. This just further justifies my feeling about prosecutors and judges – they do whatever it takes to show they are hard on crime and most of their harshness is done to further their own careers. But what’s missing in this case is intent – she didn’t intend to kill anyone. Yes, she made a terrible mistake and should pay – but it shouldn’t cost her entire life, which the judge has essentially completely taken away.
Don
November 5th, 2010
9:23 am
I am just unbelievably depressed about all of this. I am told the actual time she will serve will be much less. I guess the real tragedy is to the family of those little angels. There is no good in this anywhere to be found. This is a story that should be told and shown over and over to every young driver before allowing them to go out in a vehicle.
Mike
November 5th, 2010
9:24 am
Also, for you people who think that she received too much time:
If she had been sentenced in Gwinnett County, she would have received double the amount she received in Clayton. She took it to trial and continued to lie about her involvement. Trust me, 36 years isn’t a lot of time for 5 lives! Again, maybe she could’ve saved a life by sticking around.
Justin Bonn
November 5th, 2010
9:24 am
This is not the type of criminal that our already over populated prisons should be handling. Prisons should be for murderers, rapists, burglars, and kid touchers. Bad things happen every day and this is one of them. Now we as tax payers get to pay for these two. Are all of you who posted ok with that? Yes, she should get some type of punishment, but not 36 years.
SP
November 5th, 2010
9:26 am
The punishment is much too harsh. There is a big difference between a pre-meditated crime and an accident. Does anyone really believe she intended to cause the deaths of those people? If the same accident had taken place on 85, we would have all said “how sad” and would have never considered extensive jail time for the driver. That being said, she did deserve some jail time for leaving the scene but not anywhere near 36 years, 2 – 5 yrs at the most. The truth is that her presence at the scene of the accident wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the accident. Those people still would have perished. I do believe she could have helped eased the grief of those who were left behind. As a society, we have become so hypocritical about applying blame. Many communities have created these so called “Good Samaritan” laws requiring people to offer aid when they see people in trouble, but then you see the situation down there in Tennessee where the fire fighters watched the man’s house burn down because he didn’t pay the subscription fee. They were on the scene where someone needed help and still didn’t offer any help.
NotHarshEnough
November 5th, 2010
9:26 am
Harsh?! Are you kidding me?! She killed FIVE people. FIVE! Three of which were childred…THREE CHILDREN ARE DEAD all beacuse she smoked up and drove. If I had my druthers, she’d get the gas! She’s getting 11 years for each victim. Tell me how that’s harsh.
Ghostrider
November 5th, 2010
9:30 am
The sentence didn’t suprise me at all, I acutually thought she was going to get more. I really feel bad for the Father, sitting in the courtroom and watching your daughter and wife walking into the courtroom in shackles. I couldn’t even imagine how he felt.
Cat lover
November 5th, 2010
9:32 am
Accidents happen, and people forgive. But I could never forgive someone who deliberately tried to cover up their crime so they would not be held accountable. At least show a little sympathy for the families who have lost their loved ones and not think about your own punishment. They both got off easy. I won’t be around when “priviledged Aimee” gets out of prison, but hopefully she will never be allowed to get behind the wheel of a car again.
Nard Dawg
November 5th, 2010
9:32 am
If Judges stack life sentences on those that commit vehicular homicide, then flee, then attempt a cover up, and then force the victim’s families to relive it in a trial, maybe those in the future who cause a wreck will stick around and start trying to make amends for a driving mistake. She chose to expand a misdemeanor driving mistake into multiple felonies. Anyone who forces taxpayers to front that kind of trial and those families to endure hearing how loved ones died should forgo any chance at freedom.
yogi hanson
November 5th, 2010
9:33 am
I think the sentence was too harsh for both. Yes, I realize she fled the scene: however, if she had stayed then she would have been changed with misdemeanors. Why couldn’t this have been the case still? She made a grave error in her decision to leave. I also think the mother has covered up for her on other occasions too. This is a sad situation all around. Prayers go out to all of the families.
kindeya scott
November 5th, 2010
9:33 am
I agree with the comment below. I believe the punishment is too harsh. I think what makes the punishment harsh is she has to serve 36 years out of the 50 year sentence. She made a mistake. Maybe she was ignorant to the fact that if you’re involved in an accident that you’re suppose to stay at the scene. The question should be what would you do if you saw a car in flames and you think you might of had something to do with it. I think that everyone has learned from Ms. Aimee to stay at the scene. I just hate that she had to be the one to teach the world that lesson.
Motocross Survivor
November 5th, 2010
9:39 am
Fair? Hell yes it was fair.
Shannon
November 5th, 2010
9:39 am
Amiee sentence was fair, but the mother’s wasn’t. I feel that the mother should have gotten more time. I hold the mother responsible for the cover up. She should have taken Amiee back to the scene or to the nearest police station to turn herself in. As a mother, we have to teach our children to be accountable for their actions despite the consquences.
Sanity_Please
November 5th, 2010
9:39 am
It seems like we live in a punitive society, where we cannot differentiate between criminals who need to be off the streets and good citizens who make bad decisions. Yes, her and her mother made terrible mistakes, but by all accounts her family were upstanding people in every other way.
There are people who cold bloodedly kill people and get less time. What does 36 years do in this instance? bring back the dead? take a college grad and put her away for life? Where is her chance for redemption? Being locked up for life with hardened criminals?
Can’t we do better? Why is our justice system a “one size fits all” thing? Why do we punish without looking at migitating factors? She was young and scared. She made a dumb decision, but I don’t think anyone thinks she delibertely killed those people.
I know the “law & order” types who want blood will call me “liberal”, but our justice system is not bling, not non partisan. Money can buy lighter sentences and throwing the book at everyone and filling up prisons is our answer. When will the insanity stop?
drsoul
November 5th, 2010
9:41 am
Have to agree somewhat with Brandon… no real foolproof evidence of how this accident happened… she does deserve punishment for running away, but the jails are full of this type sentencing… I feel that we should have a separate incarceration for people in this position…yes, punishment, but also find a way to use these people to serve society in some way besides sitting in a cell and eating tax dollars.. there was no malicious intent here, other than fleeing the site and the cover up.. she has obviously, along with her mother, a certain amount of intelligence (although some misguided toward this accident); there must be ways to be in a kind of lock up and at the same time be utilized to improve themselves as well as society… not defending the actions, but these are not hardened criminals either….I presume bad choices out of fear and guilt…
The voice of sanity.
November 5th, 2010
9:42 am
This was indeed a horrific ACCIDENT. Accident being the key word. There is absolutly no excuse for Aimee Michaels leaving the scene of, then covering up her part in the ACCIDENT. However, it was an accident to start with. It was not proven that there was any malice or intent involved. Intent should have been considered and apparantly it was not. Also, if the judge felt the punishment was just, why was she crying. It is my belief that the judge crumbled to public sentiment rather than justice for the crime committed. The End
DW
November 5th, 2010
9:42 am
Once again, overzelous prosecutors trying to make an example of someone for their political benefit. This is not going to bring the dead back. Murderers and rapists do not get 36 years in most cases yet a girl who makes a big mistake and flees out of fear does. This is not a sensible punishment.
Nathan Quinn
November 5th, 2010
9:42 am
My heart goes out to all involved, however the punishment does not fit the crime in my opinion. She was scared. Thats all. That was the motive for her actions, fear. It seems as though some commenters think she intentionally caused these deaths, and that she didnt care or was affected at all. She is not a monster and certainly not a threat to society. Accidents happen. I am not saying that they both should not be punished, but who here has never been scared? 10 years for both would have been more than suffice.