Woman's Punishment for Killing Cop: $310 Fine

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Woman's Punishment for Killing Cop: $310 Fine

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The driver who ran down Corporal Scott Wheeler was fined only $310.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The case against the Columbia woman who was speeding when her car struck and killed a Howard County police officer last year has been dismissed after she paid the traffic fines resulting from the accident, the county state’s attorney’s office said yesterday.

Prosecutors said Stephanie Latoya Grissom paid two traffic citations Friday rather than appear in District Court to contest the case, which was scheduled for today. Grissom received three points on her driving record and paid $310 in fines for negligent driving and speeding, investigators said.

On June 16, 2007, Grissom was traveling on Route 32 near Interstate 95 when Officer Scott Wheeler, who was working a speed enforcement detail, stepped out into the road to flag her down and the car struck him. Police said Grissom was driving 71 mph in a 55-mph zone.

In March, a Howard County grand jury declined to indict Grissom on automobile manslaughter charges.

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ticktwrwter

29 minutes ago

2 comments

I think this case is definitely different than an intentional act or using a firearm, but it deserves MUCH more of a penalty than $310 in fines. I can only hope the family of Cpl. Wheeler cleans her out financially so it is a constant reminder of her careless actions.
LoisLane

about 1 hour ago

1 comment

Put yourself in her place. Even if she wasn't speeding, and someone, anyone, steped out infront of your car, keching you off gard. You would have had just as much of a chance of hitting him as she did. Yes she was speeding, and thus needed to be fined and punished for that aspect (which she was). But should she be locked away for running a man over when he walked out into a highway where people shouldn't be walking? NO. Yes its tragic, but one life is ruined over this mistake, lets not make it two.
StaceyBest3

about 2 hours ago

1 comment

Reading this article made me sick. More proof of what is wrong with this world when killers get to go free, especially after killing those who are there to serve and protect society. What ever happened to pedestrians have the right away? People have gotten stiff sentences for hiting someone with their vehichle and not killing them. Is is a sad, sad day when the price of a human life is only worth 310 dollars. How coud they not indict her ? She was speeding, it is against the law. I hope officer Wheeler's family gets a civil suit, something changes to protect officers in the line of duty better, and this woman finds it hard to live with herself.
STEPH2U

about 2 hours ago

4 comments

THAT IS SUCH BULLSHIT , BY ONLY MAKING HER PAY A FINE IS SENDING A MESSAGE TO PEOPLE THAT SHE ONLY GOT A SLAP ON HER HAND , AND IS ALLOWED TO GET OUT HERE AND DO IT ALL AGAIN , I GUESS IF IT HAD BEEN SOMEONE ELSE INSTEAD OF A POLICE OFFICER THEY WOULD HAVE GAVE HER A SENTENCE
doodad

about 2 hours ago

4 comments

thats it? I hoope family goes for civil law suit and ruin that cunt's life so she can make up while looking at prison bathroom mirrors instead of rear view mirror while driving.
Fthl0016

about 3 hours ago

44 comments

Ellicott counsel members need to pull their heads out of their asses and consider if this would have been sufficient if one of their kids got killed by this reckless and speeding driver? I didn't know human life was so cheap...even in this day and age. Pretty sad when you life is worth less then 75 gallons of gas.
nfinn8

about 3 hours ago

3 comments

Gynger, you can kiss my asterisk. And it IS my asterisk! You don't know the circumstances. Maybe the officer felt he HAD to risk himself to keep someone further down the road safe. It is part of our jobs to be in situations where we have to decide if putting ourselves on the line is necessary for the greater good.
Certs

about 6 hours ago

4 comments

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT...I am sickened by the way the liberal court system handled this cause and I feel for the officer’s family, but where does commonsense and self preservation come into play. I don't think as a officer I would ever jump out on a highway and just expect the driver, just a everyday speeder, not a criminal, not a pursuit suspect, just a citizen like the rest of us to have time or the judgment to stop with no problem. I don't want to armchair quarterback because I don't have all the details but would all of you think this person should go to jail if it was dark out and all of sudden there was a drunk staggering around in the road and they were hit and killed them. I really feel for the officer’s family having been through this type of situation before, but sometimes it really is just an accident and we are too quick to judge."
Gynger

about 6 hours ago

2 comments

As a Police Officer myself I definitely feel the loss of a fellow crime fighter. But my good judgment says how ever unfortunate the accident, this appears to be truelly an 'accident' in no way does it seem the death was intentional and the guilt and pain the female will live with may be sufficient in this case alone. My deepest condolences to the family of the officer! Fort Carson, CO
tjoran62

about 7 hours ago

20 comments

This is the most unbievable thing I have ever heard!! I can't fathom anywhere that a life is worth only $310.00, I think she should be in jail for the rest of her life. But I am sure that this will haunt her for the rest of her life, or at least I hope so. To the family, and the local Dept, my thoughts and prayers are with you, I know this is horrible, but rest assured, God will make her pay for what she has done. She took a life, and he promises us justice, whether by the hand of out Goverment, or his, she will get what is coming to her!! RIIP my dear friend, and once again, to the family and dept, God is with you and holding you all in the palm of his hand dring your times of trouble..
lilmacgil

2 days ago

176 comments

Bottom line, grand jury is made of 23 people who go 71 in a 55 every day on the same road and they don't want to indict someone who reminds them of themselves, regardless of the facts. All that was left were the traffic tickets, neither of which is incarcerable. Justice system hard at work again (and yes, MD juries are known for their stupidity)
aceofdaspades

2 days ago

43 comments

WHAT THE HELL!!!!! HOW IS THAT NOT AT LEAST MAN SLAUGHTER? I $^##^^%& HATE PEOPLE!!!!
djs2v

2 days ago

209 comments

This is no way to allow a cop killer go free. This is a disgrace!
matthewicrawford

3 days ago

21 comments

My only hope is that the memory of that accident and the fact that she killed a good cop haunts her for the rest of her days.
tonyboyum

3 days ago

29 comments

Sorry I am late on this one just got back from a long trip but I am ready to get back on the road I just need several address and for my brothers and sisters to come up with about 700.00 in fines I am retired and disabled so I have trouble stoping my car