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Koua Fong Lee
Aug. 6th, 2010 09:09 amThe story of Koua Fong Lee's release brought tears to my eyes this morning. It's impossible to watch this video and not feel the joy.
Lee, who immigrated to the U.S. from a Thai refugee camp in 2004, was driving a Toyota Camry when it plowed at high speed into the back of an Oldsmobile as Lee exited a St. Paul freeway ramp in 2006. He insisted during his trial that he did everything he could to stop the car but couldn't.
Jurors weren't convinced and Lee's own attorney suggested his client might have accidentally stepped on the accelerator. He was convicted of two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and two of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm, resulting an eight-year prison term.
But Lee sought a new trial this spring in the wake of Toyota's widely publicized problems with sudden acceleration in some newer models. Even though his 1996 Camry never had been recalled, Lee was granted a hearing.
At that hearing eleven drivers, one after another, testified to the court how their Toyota Camrys suddenly terrified them with unexplained acceleration. That, coupled with the evidence of malpractice on the part of his defence attorney, prompted the Judge to throw out the verdict and rule that Mr. Lee deserved a new trial. Then the prosecutor's office announced that they would not be seeking one. His ordeal was over, and Lee walked out of the courthouse and into the arms of his family.
Congratulations, Mr. Lee. Your statement was incredibly touching and you did not forget the victims' family and they, too, have shown incredible grace during this entire tragic affair.
I am happy that you are a free man today.
Lee, who immigrated to the U.S. from a Thai refugee camp in 2004, was driving a Toyota Camry when it plowed at high speed into the back of an Oldsmobile as Lee exited a St. Paul freeway ramp in 2006. He insisted during his trial that he did everything he could to stop the car but couldn't.
Jurors weren't convinced and Lee's own attorney suggested his client might have accidentally stepped on the accelerator. He was convicted of two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and two of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm, resulting an eight-year prison term.
But Lee sought a new trial this spring in the wake of Toyota's widely publicized problems with sudden acceleration in some newer models. Even though his 1996 Camry never had been recalled, Lee was granted a hearing.
At that hearing eleven drivers, one after another, testified to the court how their Toyota Camrys suddenly terrified them with unexplained acceleration. That, coupled with the evidence of malpractice on the part of his defence attorney, prompted the Judge to throw out the verdict and rule that Mr. Lee deserved a new trial. Then the prosecutor's office announced that they would not be seeking one. His ordeal was over, and Lee walked out of the courthouse and into the arms of his family.
Congratulations, Mr. Lee. Your statement was incredibly touching and you did not forget the victims' family and they, too, have shown incredible grace during this entire tragic affair.
I am happy that you are a free man today.
