Asshole of the Week

I’m disgusted to announce this week’s winners of Phillyist’s ‘Asshole of the Week’ award. It’s sad and unfortunate that we have to pass along the award to not only the perpetrator of the heinous act, but also to those who aided and abetted in basically freeing her.

Michelle Johnson, the Philadelphia prosecutor who offered her the plea deal, and her defense attorney who offered a patronizing, yet “heartfelt” apology on behalf of his client are all our ‘Assholes of the Week.’

On March 28 of this year, Ms. Johnson was riding along in her Toyota Sequoia paying no attention to anything, apparently. It was then that she struck fifteen-year-old Marylee Otto and promptly fled the scene.

She didn’t stop to see if she hurt anyone.

She didn’t pull over to wait for the authorities.

She drove to her job at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility… AS A NURSE! That’s right, Ms. Johnson was a nurse—someone in charge of taking care of other human beings and coaxing them to good health. Or, to completely disregard another human lying on the street as a result of her vehicular irresponsibility.

Yesterday, Michele Johnson was sentenced to one-to-two years in prison with an additional three years of probation during which she will not be permitted to drive an automobile.

That seems to be just punishment for taking the life of a fifteen-year-old girl, right? Or it doesn’t even seem like the beginning of what her punishment should be.

Furthermore, the prosecution reached a deal with Ms. Johnson that dropped the homicide by vehicle charge. Yeah, they dropped that charge. Unbelievable.

What’s more, after all of this transpired in court, Ms. Johnson’s defense attorney, Mark S. Keenheel, turned and offered the victim’s family a sincere apology on behalf of Ms. Johnson. The kicker? When asked if she had anything to say to the family, Ms. Johnson said, “No, your honor.” Something tells me that the apology offered on her behalf wasn’t so sincere.

For all of these reasons, Michele Johnson, the Prosecution who offered the ludicrous plea bargain, and Mr. Keenheel for his patronizing apology on behalf of his client: FEEL THE BURN OF BEING PHILLYIST’S ASSHOLES OF THE WEEK!!!

Ms. Theresa Sautter, we here at Phillyist offer our most sincere condolences and please understand that we are also sickened by this poor excuse for punishment and justice.

Information for this story was taken from Philly.com

Image Credit: Flickr user Sir Mildred Pierce