COLUMBUS -- Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa looked in the mirror at his own past behind the wheel before fining a 21-year-old Platte Center man $500 for motor vehicle homicide in connection with a May 3 crash in Columbus.
Skorupa sentenced Thomas Jaixen to the fine and ordered him to pay $450 restitution to the city stemming from the two-vehicle Sunday afternoon crash that resulted in the death of 48-year-old Leslie Klug of Norfolk.
“All of us, at one time or another, have been in Mr. Jaixen’s position,’’ Skorupa told a group of more than a dozen Klug family members and friends and the defendant’s parents sitting behind the defense table.
“We’ve all said to ourselves, ‘I don’t know why I didn’t see that other vehicle, but I didn’t see it,’ ’’ Skorupa said. “For me personally, I can understand how that can be.”
For complete details, subscribe to our online edition at www.ee.columbustelegram.com or call 563-7547 for home delivery.
Man fined as result of motor vehicle homicide
By Jim Osborn josborn@columbustelegram.com
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 - 10:07:10 am CDT
Leave a Comment
All posts are subject to our Terms
and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Thank You
Oct 22, 2009 12:24 PM
Thank You Skorupa. You did the right thing this time. That's why accidents are accidents. Why punish this kid when it was an 'accident'. Now, if you could just do a little better sentencing on other cases. Good Luck to the Klug Family! God Bless.Family Member
Oct 22, 2009 3:52 PM
I agree with Thank You. I am related to Les & Melody and my son knows Mr. Jaixen from playing football at Dana College, I am glad to see that he was not given a stiffer sentence. That's why they call them "accidents"! God Bless All involved. I'm sure Les is looking down from heaven thanking the Lord that Tom can now get on with his life! I miss Les and think of him often but making Tom "pay" isn't going to bring Les back! Thank you Judge Skorupa!Sweetie
Oct 23, 2009 10:11 AM
YOU DID THIS RIGHT JUDGE SKORUPA.THANKS.JUST BE STIFFER ON THOSE DRUG CASES AND MAKE THEM PAY THE PRICE CAUSE WE ALL KNOW THEY KNOW THEMSELVES THEY ARE PLAYING WITH THE DEVIL WITH DRUGS.ONCE AGAIN THANK-YOU!
Abby T.
Oct 24, 2009 7:55 PM
Money pays for everything today...Did the Judge know the Jaixen family??? The "JAIXEN," family play it off like they are better then people just because they have money. Money can't bring back the man that died. Think of the "Klug," family and the pain they must be going through. This is a terrible shame. $450.00, will never bring that man back, may he rest in peace. Pay attention to the road, Tom Jaixen...GIVE ME A BREAK
Oct 24, 2009 8:12 PM
All these comments are in support of the Jaixen family, what about the negative feedback. Let the community be heard. I am sure it is not all positive, a man lost his life due to Tom, not paying attention to the road, in a busy intersection?? What about the "Klug family"pay attention
Oct 25, 2009 9:31 AM
if you would have been paying attention in drivers ed. you would know that their are no such things as accidents on the road only collisions. All collisions can be avoided. In other words all "accidents can be avoided". It's too bad someone's life had to be taken in this one. God Bless both parties involved but this just truly sucks!Read the article people
Oct 25, 2009 9:38 AM
If Abby T and Give me a Break had actually read the complete article, they would know that the Klug family was supportive of sentence Tom received. Tom is a fine young man who will think of Mr. Klug everyday of his life. He will never forget that one moment of carelessness cost a man his life. How would jail time or more money change anything? Would $10,000 make Mr. Klug come back? The Jaixen family are some of the finest people around,and they certainly don't think they are better than anyone else. People are supportive because Judge Skorupa did the right thing.Let s just get along
Oct 27, 2009 9:10 AM
Please, don't sling mud at each other. Understand, that there are a lot of people upset by the judge's decision on this case, especially the biker community.Hopefully, both family's can get past this
with faith.
Print This Story
Email This Story
