Tack_R6
02-20-2007, 11:08 AM
Nabbed from R6MN
Facing up to officer's early death
Courts: 50 years in fatal police chase
23-year-old expresses remorse to victim's family
By Jay F. Marks
Staff Writer
An emotional Kyle Wayne Grider expressed his remorse Friday to the family of Oklahoma City police Sgt. Jonathan Dragus before he was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Grider's attorneys maintain he was not responsible for the Oct. 20, 2005, accident that killed Dragus, even though an Oklahoma County jury found him guilty last month of second-degree murder and aggravated eluding a police officer.
Dragus' relatives urged District Judge Virgil C. Black to impose the maximum sentence in the case.
"Jonathan was killed protecting people like us from people like him,” said tearful widow Kelly Dragus, "and he deserves every second in prison that he gets.”
Black followed the family's recommendation, ordering Grider to serve consecutive sentences for his crimes.
Grider, 23, must serve 85 percent of his 45-year term for second-degree murder before he can be considered for parole. Then he still must serve another five years for running from police.
Grider originally chose not to address the judge before he was sentenced, but changed his mind after hearing Dragus' wife and mother talk about their loss.
He turned to face Dragus' relatives who had joined attorneys in front of Black, speaking in a voice so quiet it could scarcely be heard.
"He said he was sorry, that he didn't mean for anyone to get hurt,” defense attorney Charles Cox said.
Deadly decision
Grider was riding a stolen motorcycle Oct. 20, 2005, when Dragus tried to get him to stop. He decided to run, reaching speeds close to 130 mph in a chase that lasted nearly nine minutes.
"That decision ultimately cost Jonathan his life,” said Kelly Dragus, who is a police officer like her husband.
Jonathan Dragus, a 10-year police veteran, lost control of his car near Northwest Expressway and Pennsylvania Avenue and crashed into a tree. He died a short time later.
"Jonathan Dragus was an amazing man. He was my husband ... and my best friend,” his wife said. "I miss him so much.
"We only got to spend three years together but it was the best three years of my life.”
She also rebuffed the notion Grider deserved some leniency because he is a father. Her husband left behind two children, including a son who was only five months old when he died.
"He won't even remember his daddy,” Kelly Dragus said.
She said her son must say "I love you” to a grave while Grider's family will be able to visit him in prison.
Jonathan Dragus' mother said she pitied Grider, noting there are victims on both sides.
"I feel sorry for you, Kyle,” she said. "You're going to have lots of years to think about what you've done.”
Facing up to officer's early death
Courts: 50 years in fatal police chase
23-year-old expresses remorse to victim's family
By Jay F. Marks
Staff Writer
An emotional Kyle Wayne Grider expressed his remorse Friday to the family of Oklahoma City police Sgt. Jonathan Dragus before he was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Grider's attorneys maintain he was not responsible for the Oct. 20, 2005, accident that killed Dragus, even though an Oklahoma County jury found him guilty last month of second-degree murder and aggravated eluding a police officer.
Dragus' relatives urged District Judge Virgil C. Black to impose the maximum sentence in the case.
"Jonathan was killed protecting people like us from people like him,” said tearful widow Kelly Dragus, "and he deserves every second in prison that he gets.”
Black followed the family's recommendation, ordering Grider to serve consecutive sentences for his crimes.
Grider, 23, must serve 85 percent of his 45-year term for second-degree murder before he can be considered for parole. Then he still must serve another five years for running from police.
Grider originally chose not to address the judge before he was sentenced, but changed his mind after hearing Dragus' wife and mother talk about their loss.
He turned to face Dragus' relatives who had joined attorneys in front of Black, speaking in a voice so quiet it could scarcely be heard.
"He said he was sorry, that he didn't mean for anyone to get hurt,” defense attorney Charles Cox said.
Deadly decision
Grider was riding a stolen motorcycle Oct. 20, 2005, when Dragus tried to get him to stop. He decided to run, reaching speeds close to 130 mph in a chase that lasted nearly nine minutes.
"That decision ultimately cost Jonathan his life,” said Kelly Dragus, who is a police officer like her husband.
Jonathan Dragus, a 10-year police veteran, lost control of his car near Northwest Expressway and Pennsylvania Avenue and crashed into a tree. He died a short time later.
"Jonathan Dragus was an amazing man. He was my husband ... and my best friend,” his wife said. "I miss him so much.
"We only got to spend three years together but it was the best three years of my life.”
She also rebuffed the notion Grider deserved some leniency because he is a father. Her husband left behind two children, including a son who was only five months old when he died.
"He won't even remember his daddy,” Kelly Dragus said.
She said her son must say "I love you” to a grave while Grider's family will be able to visit him in prison.
Jonathan Dragus' mother said she pitied Grider, noting there are victims on both sides.
"I feel sorry for you, Kyle,” she said. "You're going to have lots of years to think about what you've done.”