Celebrity Justice
Lane Garrison Sentenced to Prison

A judge has sentenced "Prison Break" star Lane Garrison to a total of forty months -- nearly four years -- in state prison for the drunk driving crash that caused the death of 17-year-old Vahagn Setian.


As he sentenced him, Judge Elden Fox told Lane he thought he was a human being who made a very bad mistake -- and that he committed a crime and devastated three families.


Fox told Garrison, "I think you are truly remorseful," but sentenced him to prison because "the public needs to know crimes like this need to be punished and, unfortunately, you have to be the messenger." The sentence was based on Garrison's lack of prior criminal history and that he admitted responsibility, pleaded guilty right away and has offered the families financial assistance.

Before sentencing, a highly emotional Garrison told the victims' families he was "genuinely remorseful" and "sickened" by his behavior that night.

Garrison he will get credit for the 91 days he has already served. That, combined with California's Work Time/Good Time early release program, means he will likely be in state prison for about 20 months.

He must also pay close to $300,000 to the Setian family and to the two girls who were in the car.

Lane was quiet after the sentence was handed down and was taken away in handcuffs.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 16)Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. Not enough!!!!

Posted at 2:13PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Susan

47. #44 ... i agree with #43 ... it will be a major career explosion for him if he stays on track in jail. Hollywood will welcome their own back with open arms and give him a chance to start over, a chance he took from the girl he killed and her family.

Posted at 2:15PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Ed

48. Sanity rules...What an anal hun you are. OCD is right. I'm a parent, and I keep track of my kid's doings, yet I know there are things in life I can't control. This punk is responsible for a death...quit blaming the victims, I'm sure their families have suffered enough with "what if's" Life is not black and white. This sentence is entirely too short!

Posted at 2:15PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Liz

49. A DUI homicide, that's what we're talking about here. The MINIMUM sentence should be 10 years (TEN) withOUT possibility of parole before the 10 years has been served. Unfortunately, once this bozo is let out, he'll be welcomed back with open arms. You can count on interviews with them all: ET, Extra, E!News, Access Hollywood... each host will be gushing - "its so good to have you back, we wish you all the best." And his half-assed career will suddenly have street cred. He'll end up on a new show for FX or SPIKE, for a year or so before he's back in the news for yet another DUI ! MAJOR LOOSER!!!!

Posted at 2:18PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Celebwatch

50. A celebrity actually being held accountable? I am truly shocked. He must not have paid the judge enough cash.

Posted at 2:19PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Ooba Gooba

51. I don't know where you learned math, but 40 months is NOT "nearly 4 years"

It's three years and four months,

Not that it really matters since he'll probably spend him time in a "special" part of prison reserved for celebrities, and won't even come close to serving half that.

Oh, to be young and semi-famous

Posted at 2:22PM on Oct 31st 2007 by spaceghost

52. While I feel terrible for all parties involved. You guys HAVE to remember, this kid got into the car with a drunk driver. That is essentially suicide. You are risking your life when going with a drunk driver. You know what happens. And wasn't the 17 year old out at like 2am? I don't know what time this happened, but when I was 17, I wasn't allowed to stay out til 2am at a party with tons of alcohol and drugs.

In NO way am I saying Lane should get no time. He DEFINITELY should get time. He killed somebody. Lane has stood up and said he was 100% guilty.

If I was ever killed while getting into a car with a friend who was a drunk driver that I knew was DRUNK I would not want them to go to jail because it was MY DECISION TO GET INTO THE CAR. The kid could have easily said no, and took a cab, taxi, parent, sober friend....etc.

Posted at 2:23PM on Oct 31st 2007 by SAAAM

53. Look... The dude was under the influence of drugs and alcohol! He had a passenger in HIS vehicle, it put that person under his care and responsibility as soon as he allowed that person in his car and got behind the wheel! He is going to serve 20 months because of good behavior. He certainly didn't have good behavior when he killed someone. I myself find it an outrage! Do you think this time justifies taking a person, taking away a son, brother, nephew, cousin and so on. Put your self in the family's place. It was not justified! HE KILLED SOMEONE! The people saying this is fair, you have got to be out of your minds! Just because he had his 5 minutes of fame does not give the right for him to get off lightly. He should have at least got 5 years. But that's just my opinion.

Posted at 2:24PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Sherry

54. I'm amazed by all of the people who feel the sentence was too harsh.

His bad decision has cost him his career and another young man his life. He DESERVES to be punished! If he had gotten off, then people would be screaming its because of his celebrity. He should be punished just like the rest of us would expect to be if we had done the same thing.

Posted at 2:26PM on Oct 31st 2007 by BellaY

55. Man, where do you people come up with your names? "Sanityrules" when your the least sane person on this blog? Talk your nonsense, sister. You must be from California, where anything goes. No wonder your state is burning as if it were hell. You let murders go with a slap on the wrist, if that!

Posted at 2:26PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Popeye

56. Good he deserves just what he got for killing an innocent person with his foolish choices.

Posted at 2:27PM on Oct 31st 2007 by TimTom

57. My post may sound a little harsh, I don't mean it to be, but I just wanted to talk about the otherside of the story.

Posted at 2:27PM on Oct 31st 2007 by SAAAM

58. Finally... Someone who makes some sense on here!!!

# 29 Pohono hit the nail on the head!

Same point I tried to get across on yesterdays' response. These were selfish TEENS (NOT KIDS) trying to hitch a ride to a druck fest (party), convinced someone at a supermarket, who happens to be a celebrity (to show him off at a party), for a ride to that party. They wanted more liquor (that party shouls NOT have had liquor to begin with... AND suffered and accident on their way.

The sentence seems reasonable by any standard (In California or elsewhere). 40 months, will do about 26 with good behavior.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL THOSE HOSTING THE PARTY DO??? THEY TOO PROVIDED ALCOHOL TO THESE MINORS???

HOW MUCH TIME WILL THE TEEN'S FRIENDS DO FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE???

All in all, the sentence seems fair; it's not Hollywood justice, Celebrity justice, or California justice... It's fair and reasonable for the crime committed. Which by the way, only he is serving. Not the TEEN'S irresponsible friends and parents, much less, the people that hosted the party and provided the liquor in the first place.

Must you all forget, Garrison was driving to buy more liquor; they initially consumed alcohol at the party, drugs at the party....PROVIDED BY THE HOSTS OF THE PARTY!!!

Posted at 2:29PM on Oct 31st 2007 by ERIC

59. I think Lane's sentance was fair....but, maybe a little too much. We all do have to remember that he did come forward right away and took responsibility. I am not saying that he should be able to walk free, but unlike some celebrities...he did step up to the plate. Also, it isn't like he is the first person to ever be drunk/stoned and cause an accident (celebrity or regular person) and cause death. I do express condolences to the families and I hope Lane and the families are able to move on with their lives...I am not saying forget...but remember that it takes more effort to be miserable and sad then it takes to remeber the happier times and I am sure the deceased would want their family to enjoy the time they have together.

Posted at 2:29PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Cybergoose

60. Reasonable sentence. I do think all the others in the car should be sentenced to community service for sure because they are all at fault/guilty. Lane just happened to be driving but they all willingly got into that car. Had there not have been a death you know ALL of these kids including Lane would be out drinking/rugging & driving again. To bad it takes this for kids to learn a lesson =(

Posted at 2:29PM on Oct 31st 2007 by Kim

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