Man gets 55 years in prison after eighth DWI conviction

There'll be no holiday cheer this year for Michael Smith.

Smith, 54, was sentenced to 55 years in prison Friday by a Tarrant County jury for his eighth drunken-driving conviction. It took the jury only about a half-hour Thursday to convict him.

"This verdict sends a message that Tarrant County will not tolerate drunken drivers who endanger the lives of our citizens," said Assistant District Attorney Brooke Panuthos, who tried the case with prosecutor Caroline Kim.

"We hope this sentence will deter others from driving while intoxicated, especially during this holiday season," Panuthos said, in a written statement.

Smith was stopped by Arlington police about 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 7 after a 911 caller reported an erratic driver. A beer can fell out of his van while officers were questioning him, and an open beer was found behind the seat, according to the district attorney's office.

A blood test revealed his blood-alcohol content was .24 - three times the legal limit in Texas.

Smith had 12 prior convictions, including seven DWI convictions from Dallas County. He also had four prior convictions for burglary of a vehicle and one for car theft.

He will be required to serve nearly 14 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. He had never been sentenced to more than three years in prison on his prior convictions.

- Dianna Hunt

Comments

[in disbelief!]

"This verdict sends a message that Tarrant County will not tolerate drunken drivers who endanger the lives of our citizens," said Assistant District Attorney Brooke Panuthos.

You're kidding right? Yeah, Tarrant will tolerate 7 DWI's but not 8. Not very bright Brooke.

[CDK]

"This verdict sends a message that Tarrant County will not tolerate drunken drivers who endanger the lives of our citizens," said Assistant District Attorney Brooke Panuthos, who tried the case with prosecutor Caroline Kim.

So let's be clear...we won't tolerate a person getting their 8th DWI but the prior 7 didn't warrant the same sentence?? Including his other charges over the years?? That's one of MANY things wrong with the Country today....

[Texguy]

Great that they got this drunk off the streets before he killed some inocent family,apparently this guy cant fuction in the real world,three cheers for the jury and Judge about time they started handing out stiffer sentences

[vidkid]

Good, you are responsible for your actions! This may have saved one of your loved ones life.

[Maria I Rodriguez]

I hate that it took 8 DWIs for him to finally do some serious jail-time. As for the message that the Asst DA says it sends; well it tells us we can have 8 DWIs without doing serious jail-time!

[Pighunter]

Should have got major jail time after second conviction.

[Kristina]

This verdict sends a message that Tarrant County will not tolerate drunken drivers who endanger the lives of our citizens," said Assistant District Attorney Brooke Panuthos..

Yeah right! This just sends a message you can get up to 8 DWI's before they actually do something!!

[Melinda Foley]

Wow. They give more time for DWI's then they do for drug dealing or violent crimes against another person or robbery.

[andrew]

Hey, those other seven DWIs were in Dallas County (it says so right there in the article). If you have a problem with him getting let loose after those, take it up with DC.

This guy is now out of society for a long while, and since he's repeatedly proven unable to function within it without endangering others, so much the better.

At least we put him away BEFORE he mowed down someone more innocent.

[CDK]

It doesn't matter if they were in Dallas County or any other City in America... they should crisscross information and get this guy off ALL City and State streets...Period.