Karen Irby Indicted

What exactly is "depraved heart murder"? (Quick: Which attorney will tell us first!?!)

Not a lawyer but it was easily looked up. :)

Depraved-heart murder is an American legal term for an action that demonstrates a "callous disregard for human life" and results in death. In most states, depraved heart killings constitute either second-degree murder or first-degree manslaughter.

Wait, wait, how do we know her blood alcohol level was over the legal limit?

We're relying on the reporting of our good friends at 16 WAPT News, ahayron.

The Hinds County Circuit Clerk's office would not confirm or deny the indictments.

I heard a reporter say on WJTV that they cannot confirm the indictment until the defendant is officially notified.

One of the local channels reported her blood alcohol was .09 tonight (don't remember which one) and if I remember correctly they all did last week, but C-L article today says " There’s been no official confirmation Karen Irby had alcohol in her system the night of the accident."

So who's right?

I would guess that the optimum word is "official." The Ledger is probably saying that no one has told them for attribution under their name.

OK legal beagles.... I'm one to always think that there is a conspiracy afoot... why "depraved heart murder" instead of simple "manslaughter"... Assuming she is found guilty, does this charge of depraved heart murder give her a better chance of a light sentence or even a suspended sentence.... just wondering?

Depraved heart murder (MCA 97-1-19(1)(b)) carries a sentence of life (MCA 97-3-21). Vehicular homicide carries a sentence of 5-25 years. MCA 63-11-30(5).

I would think that the speed of the vehicle had a lot to do with the DA's pursuing the charge with the greater punishment. It's one thing to drive drunk and another thing altogether to drive drunk at such a speed that if you hit someone, you are pretty much guaranteed to kill them.

I am completely disgusted with the Ledge on their reporting of this crime. My beef? The fact that they are using a picture of the whole family on their website. Those two children are totally innocent, and don't deserve to be in the middle of this. They need to focus on her and her wrongdoings. There are enough innocent victims in this case: the Ledge doesn't need to help publicize two more.

WAPT is reporting that Karen Irby turned herself in today and is out on a pre-arranged $250,000 bond. Arriving at the Hinds County Detention Center about 3:30 this afternoon, she pleaded not-guilty to all charges, and waived her arraignment.

The entire process took about 30 minutes. Irby was in a wheelchair, according to the report.

Lanier, you are way off base. They threw the book at Karen Irby. And even worse, she drew Judge Green, who will have a field day with this.

It doesn't sound like they're going too easy on her.

And I agree: they don't need to publish pictures of the family. That's very Ledger, though.

This is a another sad day in this saga. What do we take from this. 1. Pray for the ones involved and their families, 2. Do not drink and drive. 3. Do not forget 1 or 2.

If she's stuck in the wheelchair, sentencing could be problematical unless Parchman can handle wheelchairs.

There are no women in Parchman. They are housed in the Rankin County facility. And there are plenty of handicapped prisoners.