SAN ANTONIO — Friends and family of beloved former East Central ISD teacher, Whitney Weddel, are outraged over a court petition to have bond conditions modified.
Giovanna Blangiardo is accused of driving drunk and crashing head-on into Weddel on Feb. 8, 2024 along Potranco Road. Blangiardo was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter.
Blangiardo was released on a $250,000 bond and placed under full GPS house arrest. She is also subject to drug and alcohol testing.
According to online court records, the suspect's attorney asked the court to change her bond conditions. Whitney's mother, Monique Presas tells us the prosecutor in the case says the suspect wants to be able to leave her home.
"The nerve of asking for leniency, because my friend doesn't get to ask for leniency to have her life back," said Jenny Garcia, Whitney Weddel's Friend.
Online court records show alcohol was detected by Blangiardo's ankle monitor on March 5. The Bexar County District Attorney's Office said the device gave a false reading and has since been replaced.
"I don't think she's empathetic, to the situation. I frankly don't feel that she has any remorse. I just feel like she's lost any type of trust to go and be an abiding citizen. So that's why I feel it's super important that people know what she's asking for and that it shouldn't be granted," said Garcia.
Garcia says she created a petition on Change.org to be a voice for Whitney.
"I know she would do it for me if the shoe was on the other foot," said Garcia.
As of Sunday, more than 1,800 people have signed the petition, demanding continued house arrest for Blangiardo. Garcia is hoping the petition will also send a message to the District Attorney's office that Whitney deserves justice.
"Mostly it's for her family because they deserve some type of ease to their pain. Even though I don't know that, I know that she's never gonna fully be okay with not having Whitney. I hope that this brings her some type of peace."
A bond motion hearing for Blangiardo has been set for May 29, in the 144th District Court at 1:30 p.m.
If you would like to view the petition you can click here.