Drivers admit killing jogger and cyclist
Police pick up Donnie Ray Connor’s bike the day after he was killed, April 2015
(CNS): Two local men have both admitted causing the death of their victims as a result of careless driving in two separate collisions last April. When they appeared in court Friday in their respective trials, Nicholas Tibbetts (25) pleaded guilty to the charge in relation to the death of Donnie Ray Connor as he was riding his bike on the Linford Pierson Highway, and Donovan Kellyman (26) also pleaded guilty to killing Marcia Donaldson (46), who was jogging on South Sound Road when she was hit. Kellyman also admitted drinking and driving. Tibbetts, however, was not charged with that offence as he had left the scene and was arrested two days later.
Kellyman was bailed to return to court on 22 September for sentencing after the court gave him permission to travel for work.
Tibbetts, who is an immigration officer, was also bailed until his sentencing hearing, which was set for November.
I knew Marcia Donaldson as a work colleague . She loved her family. It was sad that she was mowed down while taking a jog by some admitted drunkard who could not care less about other people lives. He should be in jail and not be given permission to travel for what ever reason. He needs to be put way for a long time.
The person who caused the accident admitted to drinking, but did not admit to being drunk or over the alcohol limit. It was an accident that is regrettable but do not judge him when you do not know him..
No one has to judge his personality other than he made a wrong decision to drink and drive which resulted in killing a human being.
He made the wrong decision and it will affect his life as it affects Marcia’s children, husband, other family members and friends.
To 10:11 am Thanks for the clarification. You are correct and i was wrong. The individual in question did admit to drinking but did not admit to being drunk or over the alcohol limit.
I read in another news media that it was alleged that he was above the legal limit.
This is very sad for all concerned.
I know Donovon Kellyman and he could not care MORE about other people’s lives. That is why he was dropping home every single person he was out with that evening and was finally on his way back to his own home when this horrible tragedy occurred. His crime has many victims, but of them all, he himself is second only to the deceased. Perhaps you should reflect on our common humanity before making a statement like the one you did.
When someone admits to drinking and then gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, the presumption is that they may endanger the lives of other road users as well as pedestrians. It was indeed a horrible tragedy.
At least they are being charged. Last year when the young man who was drunk hit a cyclist on Eastern Avenue and caused him to be in critical condition and as a result losing his legs- what happened to him? No jail time just a fine he had to pay even though he caused the man to not be able to work as a Security again and even though the driver was drunk, no license, no insurance, and he fled the scene. The courts gave him a little pat on the back.
The British lawyer got 6? years in jail and this local was only fined for causing a man to lose his legs, and driving without a licence or insurance??.Even worse he was not vilified by dozens of locals so do we have separate standards here?.
No there is not different standards. It was just not widely publicized.
Which British lawyer? The Ozzie guy got 3.
Two people are dead and this is the result, he gets to travel for work? Why not sentence them immediately!!!!! What a slap in the face of the victims family … Shame !!!!
The real question you should ask yourself is why the article does not include reference to any objections by the family to this travel. You should then ask yourself if a sentence has ever been passed by a judge immediately upon an admission of guilt (excepting the circumstance where the exact sentence is mandatory and the judge has no discretion to vary or suspend it). Having answered that question, another one might be how a judge could ever give an appropriate sentence immediately following a guilty plea when said guilty plea avoids the need for a trial which would otherwise have drawn out the facts of the offence. You could ask yourself whether other processes might be needed to draw out said facts following said plea, leading, eventually, to an appropriate sentence. You should then consider whether a sentencing exercise has any purpose other than retribution. Finally, you should ask yourself if you really ought to be commenting on matters of which you clearly know absolutely nothing.
You should ask yourself why it takes 4 months to prepare for a sentencing hearing
I don’t have to; I already know the answer. But I’ll give you a hint: judges can’t just make them up!
Why wouldn’t there also be charges for fleeing the scene?
…”was bailed to return to court on 22 September for sentencing after the court gave him permission to travel for work.” Does this mean he gets a chance to take a flight off island …? If so, chances are he may not return right?
I don’t understand why when individuals flee the island they aren’t just considered international fugitives and the court proceeds for a full trial whether they show up or not and adds more jail time due to leaving the jurisdiction.
Then once convicted, the information is passed onto international immigration and police networks.
It will be interesting to see what (if any) comments are submitted by fellow Caymanians in these cases.
How is it they are being sentenced months from now? Go to jail!
That’s the judicial system for ya!