The Hutto mom convicted last monthfor providing 200 jello shots to five minors will soon be the poster child for the offense.The minors were all seriously injured in a car crash after consuming the shots in March of last year.
At the sentencinghearing Thursday, Judge Suzanne Brooks ordered 45-year-old Donna Crites to do a public service announcement for a law enforcement agency and publish two ads discouraging providing alcohol to minors in the Round Rock Leader and Williamson County Sun by May 28.
She will have to spend three days in jail starting Friday at 5 p.m. She will also have to spend the night in jail for the next three years on the anniversary of the crash.
Before Crites could exit the courtroom,Judge Brooksmade her listen to the family members of the injured minors.
Jeannie Reese's grandson, Derek Castro, was riding in the backseat. He was 20 at the time of the crash.
I watched my son in the hospital for a week, them telling him my grandson's dying, turn off the machines, she said.
Now blind and suffering from a brain injury,Derek wept in the back of the courtroom ashisgrandmaspoke.
You saw them drinking; why didn't you stop them Donna? Reese said. I just hope God forgives you Donna. I never will.
Jody Sundberg's two teenage daughters, Kurstyn and Chelci,both 17 at the time of the crash,were sitting by Derek. Kurstyn suffered the worst.
My daughter thatI remember blowing petals off of flowers was lifeless, Sundberg said. Her jaw broke in three different places. She had cracked ribs. Both of her lungs collapsed.
Judge Brooks then instructed Crites to silently read a letter from the family of teen Kalem Medders.He was in the front seat.He is missing half of his tongue. His body is full of metal plates.
Joseph Cullender, the driver of the car, is spending seven years in prison for his role.
All of the minors were friends with Crites' son.
Crites said on the stand that she had caught minors drinking at her home in years past.
I would catch them down in the barn or out in the pasture, call their parents, pour out beer and throw it away, she said.
However, she did not stop the five on March 6, 2010. Now as part of her probation, she will have to think about her decision on the anniversary of the crash in jail for the next three years.
Crites didn't prepare the shots alone. Michael Shope, 47, recently got out of jail afterserving 250 days for purchasing Everclear for the jello shots.
As part of Crites'three-year probation she cannot consume or possess alcohol. She loses her license for 180 days. She cannot have minors under 21 in her home unless they are a relative or they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. She must also pay the medical bills of the injured minors.
