Falfurrias man sentenced in Goliad case
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GOLIAD - A Falfurrias man was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday for the September 2004 traffic death of a Goliad man.
Daniel Bone, 46, was also fined $5,000.
Last week, a Goliad jury found Bone guilty of intoxication manslaughter for being intoxicated and causing a wreck that killed Juan Ramon Flores on U.S. 59.
District Judge Stephen Williams, who presided over the case, heard testimony from Flores' brother who spoke of what the loss meant to his family.
"He was a wonderful guy. He didn't drink or smoke," Albert Flores said.
He was going to get married, Flores' brother told the judge. "He told my mother he was going to have a lot of kids.
"He died because somebody wanted to drink and drive," Flores said as he glanced at Bone.
District Attorney Michael A. Sheppard presented documents that showed Bone was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in 1987 and 1990.
According to Bone's deposition, his 1990 arrest did not result in a conviction because the justice of the peace and Bone "took care of it."
Sheppard also presented documents that Bone was arrested in 2006 on another DWI charge.
Sandra Haywood, Bone's former wife, testified that after the collision her husband bragged that he had survived the crash and even showed pictures of his truck to friends.
Haywood said she told Bone three days after the accident that Flores had died.
"He showed no remorse," Haywood said.
Bone and Haywood were married for 11 years and have two children together.
Bone's attorneys Micah Hatley and Brian Hrach argued his value as father and member of the community were important and he would be better with a lesser sentence.
Bone's defense called Charlotte Bryce, of Premont, a long-time family friend.
Bryce said Bone is a family man and her family would be more than willing to help him in anyway.
Hatley also called Jack Maupin, of Falfurrias, who has been friends with Bone for 30 years.
Maupin said he has drank with Bone in the past and he has never been violent.
Sheppard asked Maupin if he was aware of Bone's accident and the 2006 DWI.
Maupin said he was unaware of the DWI. He did say he was aware of the accident and that Bone never faulted the other driver.
Hatley argued during closing arguments that Bone needed to make a living for his children and needed treatment.
Sheppard argued Bone has not learned anything from his actions, citing the 2006 DWI charge.
Comments
thewaywardwind and vakemp you just don't know Daniel. He is A GREAT FATHER and nothing you say can change that. The wreck Juan and Daniel were in was an accident. Having an accident does not make someone a bad person that is why it is called an accident...Its so brave of you to be little someone that you don't even know. He loves his kids and you think you know him enough to say he is not a good father you are very wrong...
November 17, 2009 at 4:13 p.m.ramsey22..."people make mistakes"
Two plus two equals five -- that's a mistake. Getting drunk is a choice one makes. Driving while drunk is a choice one makes. The consequenses of making bad choices can be (and in this case were) deadly. He didn't make a mistake. He got drunk and drove on purpose. I'm not saying that he deliberately killed anyone, but then intent doesn't really matter, does it? The victim is just as dead as if he'd been killed on purpose with a pistol. No, it's NOT a mistake; it's a choice. And, I'm sure he regrets having the accident and spending several years in prison. Heck, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and agree that he probably regrets having killed a man. Thinking about it isn't punishment. He got caught driving drunk before. How many times did he drive drunk and not get caught? Doesn't matter. He deserves prison time. And, it's not a judgement -- it's an opinion. My opinion is that it is always a shame when a drunk who causes an accident that kills someone lives while the other person dies.
By the way, ramsey, a "great father" doesn't drink and drive. A great father is a positive role model for his kids and teaches by example what a good citizen is all about.
November 13, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.I would have to agree with waywardwind. I am human and I know not to drink and drive. I may be young, but I know that consequences are way worse than driving drunk. This man had many chances and he kept thinking he was above the law. I thank the jury and the DA for putting this trash away for 12 years. If his kids need him, he should of been home and not driving drunk...
November 13, 2009 at 1:02 p.m.thewaywardwind...You have your opinion and I have mine. Daniel means alot to me and people make mistakes he is only human after all. He will live with what happened his whole life and I think that that it self is punishment. He did not deserve 12 years. As for saying he should have been the one to die you are nobody to judge him and make comments like that.
November 13, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.ramsey22...Daniel most assuredly DOES belong in jail.! He's had chances before and didn't learn from them. This time, he killed a man. I guess that doesn't mean much to you, but it is a big deal and it means that Daniel is NOT a good guy. He made the choices that resulted in death. He chose to drink and drink to excess; he chose to drive. If there was justice in nature, HE'D have been the one who died as result of the wreck. Now the state will have to provide the justice he deserves. But, don't worry about him. He'll get out of prison a long time before the man he killed will get out of his coffin.
November 12, 2009 at 7:18 p.m.Sorry to hear of your loss but, Daniel is a good person and he does not belong in jail! He is also a great father and his kids need him...Daniel was very upset that Juan passed away.He is not someone to brag about things like that. He has had it pretty hard latly due to situations in his divorce and problems among his kids. He has always been the kind of person to help in anyway he can. Daniel we love you!!!
November 12, 2009 at 5:03 p.m.This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
November 12, 2009 at 8:43 a.m.Who gets the $5,000, the dead man's family or the state? best wishes to the man's family!
November 10, 2009 at 4:20 a.m.