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In 1997, Blas Hernandez was convicted of drunk driving in Ellis County. It was his third DWI, making it a felony and, since he had two previous convictions for assaulting a public servant, they threw the book at him: Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison.
Fast-forward to 2012. Hernandez, who was paroled after serving 11 years in state prison, was driving down Main Street in Waxahachie with a heavily damaged vehicle. Officers, suspecting he was drunk, took a blood test and found that, indeed, his blood alcohol level was more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit.
As WFAA reported it took a jury less than 30 minutes to convict him again. They opted to give Hernandez a second life sentence, which will be tacked onto the one he’s paroled on.
Ellis County District Attorney Patrick Wilson expressed, um, frustration in a statement.
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This is ridiculous. A jury assesses a second life sentence only 15 years after a jury assessed the first life sentence, for the same offense. Hernandez made parole after 11 years. Everyone wants to talk about being tough on DWI. This office has shown that we are tough on DWI. Ellis County citizens have shown that they are tough on DWI. So why isn’t the Parole Board tough on DWI? I have no answer for citizens who rightfully ask, “Why was Hernandez even on the streets again after being sentenced to life in prison?‟ Something has to be done to prevent this situation from happening again.This scenario was a tremendous waste of resources, and a threat to the safety of the general public. I intend to meet with our representatives in the Legislature to find a solution.
