On July 15th, 2019, former Dallas City Council member Carolyn Davis was killed in a fatal car accident that also took the life of her 26-year-old daughter, Melissa Davis-Nunn, who died of her injuries the next day [1]. The man suspected of causing this fatal accident is Jonathan Alger Moore, a man with an extensive criminal history.
Moore’s first offense was a DWI conviction in Dallas County in July 2005, which was then followed by three more DWI convictions in the years following. Three of those convictions led to Moore receiving sentences in the state penitentiary. However, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice stated that Moore had only been in their custody once, starting July 27, 2011. He was sentenced to serve two years but was paroled less than two months after.
His parole ended in October 2012. The two other prison sentences, including the one dating back in 2005, were reduced to only probation and fines.
Eventually, in May of 2013, police arrested him after he stopped his truck in the middle of Irving traffic to walk around his vehicle. He admitted to smoking three joints prior to operating his vehicle. He pleaded guilty and was given a 10-year prison sentence. However, that sentence was also reduced to just five years of probation and a $2,000 fine.
State District Judge Dominique Collins signed an order on July 10th to remove an external alcohol monitor [2] that tested Moore’s perspiration every 30 minutes as well as removing an ignition interlock device. This device was a breathalyzer that would only start his vehicle if Moore had not had an alcoholic drink.
Moore is currently being charged with intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault causing brain injury, and driving without a license.
Repeat Offenders
Unfortunately, many individuals like Moore who have been convicted of multiple DWIs, among other crimes, find themselves still on the street. More often than not, they turn into repeat offenders.
In 2017, there were a total of 3,722 fatal car accidents in Texas. In these crashes, 39% of them involved an individual that was driving while legally intoxicated. In fact, drivers with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher involved in fatal crashes were 4.5 times more likely to have prior convictions for driving while impaired (DWI) than were drivers with no alcohol (9% and 2%, respectively).
Many individuals who have been charged with a DWI previously tend to be involved in more instances once they find themselves behind the wheel again. Here is a short clip of Attorney Ramez Shamieh’s interview with WFAA regarding the matter of repeat offenders:
Sgt. Mike Mata, president of the Dallas Police Association, stated “We’re only half the equation. The Dallas County courts have to do their part in keeping violent criminals and those who are repeat offenders off the street.” Mata said that he was appalled that Moore was repeatedly given probation when he should have spent time in prison for his actions.
This incident has sparked many to question how individuals such as Moore, who have been convicted on multiple occasions, have still been allowed to remain behind the wheel and on city streets. This discussion has become a hot topic for many in the community, including the DWI accident attorneys at Shamieh Law.