Celebrity Justice
A Huge Win for Lane Garrison

In a stunning ruling, Judge Elden Fox set the stage for Lane Garrison to become a free man in 90 days.


The judge ordered the former "Prison Break" star to go to state prison for 90 days. The purpose: for shrinks and others to determine if he's a suitable candidate for straight probation. The smart money is now on the judge letting Garrison go free after a mere 3 months in prison.

The order followed dramatic, gut-wrenching testimony during Garrison's sentencing hearing at the 90210 courthouse.

The father of the boy who died in the car Garrison was driving testified that Lane is a self-absorbed person: "He's selfish. He took no responsibility. He could have come to us the next day and apologized, but he didn't."

The father also said he was furious at Garrison's PSA, first run on TMZ. The PSA shows a remorseful Garrison fronting an anti-drinking spot recreating the fatal crash. The dad testified, "He is an actor. He is acting. He killed a human being and he killed our son." The dad said, "Yesterday was one of the hardest days. It was Vahagn's birthday. He would have been 18."


Garrison then testified, "I relive that night every day and I think about the bad decisions I made." Garrison, who plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter, said, "All I can say to you is that I'm sorry. I tried to contact you every day. This PSA was not a publicity stunt." Garrison added, "We can't bring him back, but I'm sorry for my behavior that evening and that is not representative of who I am usually."

Garrison's lawyers, Rich Hutton and Harland Braun, suggested the boy who died was partly responsible. Braun said, "The young man died because he was sitting in a car with a drunk driver." Braun also suggested Garrison may have been a victim as well -- and that before the crash, someone may have slipped him a drink with the date rape drug GHB.


The D.A. vehemently opposed the 90-day diagnostic exam, arguing that Garrison should get four years in prison.



Filed under: Celebrity Justice

Reader Comments

(Page 23 of 23)Previous 15 Comments

331. It is just another situation where an actor gets off lightly because of ????? What about the 17 year old's family, this is an injustice and the judge should be brought before a judicial review board for disbarrment. It is known as vehicular homicide and carries a minimum sentence of 5 years. It is not the actors fault or the sons fault....it is the judges fault.

Posted at 5:01PM on Oct 2nd 2007 by Rob Birse

332. I was Lane's fifth grade teacher. I truly believe he is a good person and will redeem himself by being a good citizen and doing good deeds if given a second chance.

Posted at 10:21AM on Oct 12th 2007 by pat porter

333. Knowing what drunk drivers do to peoples lives and the lasting, damaging effects it has on others loves ones I cannot believe the judge could let this grown man have his life back after only 90 days. This is absurd, what about the tragic boys family. Any 17 year old would get into a fairly high profile celebrities car just for the wow factor of saying they hung out with a celebrity so passing blame is so not acceptable it is just an excuse. (Maybe the judge is a prison break fan) Maybe one day the judge may find himself in the situation of the tragic boys family then realise what a big mistake he has made. No amount of remorse can compansate for yet another life is wasted. Drink drivers should have very harsh punishments to put off further offenders not just 3 months in prison that is just ridiculous. Judicial system at its best.......NOT.

Posted at 1:36PM on Oct 14th 2007 by aimee

334. That is outrageous that a stupid judge in Beverly Hills let this actor slide with 90 days instead of 4 years simply because he's an actor. I vote for a re-trial with a more intelligent and unbiased judge!

Posted at 1:52PM on Oct 16th 2007 by sdguy

335. The judge acted appropriately.

As long as Mr. Garrison was taking the kids to parties and drinking with them, the kids were willing to accept what he was giving. They were willing to be seen with him.

Parents allowed their children to party with an adult, celebrity or not. They share in the responsibility.

Posted at 9:48PM on Oct 26th 2007 by SoCal Native

336. Everyone on this post needs to remember one thing, no matter how mad you get at the judge for this, the law was written this way by California law makers. If you want harsher penalties for those who drive drunk, causing lives to be destroyed, then voice that to your law makers. They are the guilty ones for what sentences are available. If you want to get mad at the judge, just make sure you are mad at the system that crafted that bogus law for straight probation after a 90 day evaluation. I also agree, just as in the O.J. Simpson case, the parents of Vahagn need to go after him in civil court.

Posted at 10:00AM on Oct 31st 2007 by Adan

337. This truly makes me sick. How in the world did this man only get 90 DAYS?? It is a slap on the wrist for this "celebrity" and a slap on the face on the common person. A truly horrible injustice. He seems genuinely remorseful but he took a young life and that surely deserves more than 90 days. Celebrity justice at its finest!

Posted at 12:32AM on Jun 19th 2008 by laura

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