A large crowd of people packed the courtroom on the eighth floor of the Pima County Superior Court. They were all there to see Jana Giron sentenced, the woman who caused two deaths after texting and driving.
The crash occurred in 2019 in Oro Valley and resulted in the deaths of Paul Garcia, 22, and Caitlin Festerling, 21, who were a couple.
The sentencing was supposed to be last week, but was rescheduled by the judge, partly because there was a large audience.
Before sentencing, Garcia and Festerling’s families gave powerful testimonies about the victims of the crash and how their deaths have impacted their lives.
“We’re the ones that lost. I’ll never see my son again. Why should we have to put up with this when it’s gone on for years?” Deborah Garcia, Paul Garcia’s mother said.
Caitlin’s mom, Julie Festerling, also expressed her heartbreak and anguish.
“Distracted driving is an epidemic. It’s out of control and we need to send a serious message that people need to stop,” Julie Festerling said.
Both families said Giron doesn’t feel any remorse. However, Giron spoke to the families and the judge and apologized for her actions.
“As a mother myself, my heart aches for your loss and I am truly sorry for any pain that you have endured,” Giron said.
Giron said her insurance company told her not to contact the families. She also mentioned that she felt like the crash was an accident and not a crime.
“I am not a criminal. I am a good mother, community member, and a person who cares deeply about the well-being of others,” she said.
The defense asked for no more than 4 concurrent years. The state asked for 14 and a quarter consecutive years.
Eddie Garcia, Paul’s father, pleaded with the judge for a maximum penalty.
“The law’s just got to get more fierce and we have to continue to punish people for this,” Garcia said.
Sentencing was handed down Monday for Jana Giron, who was convicted in a 2019 crash that killed two young adults.
MORE ON THIS STORY | Giron found guilty of negligent homicide for 2019 crash that killed two people
Giron was sentenced to 15 years and 10 months at the Arizona Department of Corrections on three separate charges.
- Count 1: 80 months in prison for a dangerous, non-repetitive crime with an aggravated term.
- Count 2: 80 months in prison for another aggravated sentence, served at the same time as Count 1.
- Count 5: Presumptive sentence of 30 months for a dangerous, non-repetitive offense, and will be served after Counts 1 and 2 are finished.
45 of the days Giron has already served will be credited towards Count 1.
Giron must pay restitution fees of $1,112.92 to the Pima County Victims Fund. She has the right to appeal the sentences and must do it within 20 days.
Explaining his reasoning, Judge Christopher Browning said Giron doesn’t have empathy.
“You have no remorse, empathy or concern for the victims of your choices,” Judge Browning said.
In May, Giron was found guilty on two counts of negligent homicide.
KGUN 9 is following this story and will keep you updated both on-air and online.
----
STAY IN TOUCH WITH US ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
