Alabama Sends 19-Year-Old Immigrant to 30 Years for Barely Buzzed Speeding Murder
On October 28, 2018, 19-year-old Jorge Ruiz took a joyride in his Ford pickup at a mere 70 mph in a 55 mph zone across Autauga County, Alabama, disastrously clipping a Honda Civic and killing nurse Marlena Hayes, who was working an unwanted night shift. Despite his blood alcohol level registering a modest 0.016ānot even close to the legal limitāthe Alabama prosecutor flexed murder charges that usually demand triple-digit speeds or DUI recidivism. Lawyers smashed their heads trying to justify 30 years behind bars. Oh, and the cherry on this free-speech-Texas-redneck-courthouse tiramisu? Jorge was a Mexican immigrant on a temporary visa, English-lite, with a cousin as translator. Even the Montgomery Advertiser blew their latest immigration drama by failing to note his legal visa status. The stateās motto probably should be 'Welcome-ish.'
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Only in Alabama does driving 15 miles over the speed limit with juice in your system get you slapped with a murder charge fit for a crime lord, especially if youāre a Spanish-speaking visitor minding your business.
Prosecutors in Alabama apparently believe 70 mph is the new felony speed and that legal visas are just suggestions when you hit someone on a country road.
Jorge drove at a speed even the postal service could keep up with, had barely enough alcohol to be a designated driverās worst nightmare, and yet Alabama told him '30 years or bust'āwelcome to selective justice!
Source: Propublica | Published: 10/9/2025 | Author: by Amy Yurkanin
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