HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. — “It breaks my heart every time when I think about my husband that will never get to watch Rachel walk down the aisle.”
Explaining the time they’ll never get with their teenage daughters, Maddie Kruse and Rachel Lynch’s family pleaded with the judge to throw the book at Melandus Penson.
“He has a complete disregard for the lives of others, and we truly believe, if given the chance to drive under the influence again, he will do it,” said Maddie father, Tedd Kruse.
Penson faced two counts of DUI death and three counts of aggravated assault for driving drunk last May and crashing into the girls’ car on Highway 78.
Based on the amount of years stolen from Maddie and Rachel, family said Penson deserved the maximum sentence of 120 years.
“She had at least 60, if not 70, good years ahead of her,” said Dawn Kruse, Maddie’s mother. “Rachel was 17. She had at least 60 good years ahead of her. If you add that together, it’s 120 years.”
Penson’s family asked for mercy despite his DUI history.
“We do realize that there will be repercussions. All we can do is pray and ask for strength and forgiveness from these families.”
Even the judge got emotional as he recounted his own family’s losses.
“I watched my mommy and daddy bury two brothers at a young age, and I saw their pain the day my daddy died.”
He sentenced Penson to 120 years, but then suspended half of it.
“I’m going to give him a chance to someday walk free again, if he lives long enough.”
The only real comfort for Maddie and Rachel’s families is Penson will never drive again.
