Martin convicted on two of four felony counts

What a waste of taxpayer money.

Some things are just worth the cost. I too as the reporter was a witness to the rendering of the verdict. There is so much that was not reported like the demeanor of the jury once they found out more information about Mike Martin's criminal history. You can read a full account of Mr. Martin's criminal record by searching his name in the Idaho State Judiciary Records https://www.idcourts.us/repository/caseHistory.do?

Just so nobody gets upset this link has been posted in the comments before.

I know also that the comment that Mike was not found guilty 'again' will come up. And conversely, he was also not aquitted or found innocent of his other charges.

This case has been one of the most taxing events of my life. I understand that justice for those lost is not always found in our court system. For the families of Juanita and Robert we must stand strong and continue on though we still have no full resolution in the vehicular manslaughter portion of the charges. Mike Martin was not convicted of these charges nor was he found innocent of these charges. The resulting event was a hung jury.

It is with bittersweet resolution that we must continue on, as shattered families; over the loss of our dear loved ones. We all must continue to tell children that have little or no understanding of the circumstances. that their parent will not see them grow up or experience the highpoints of their lives. It is in this that I am most broken as a person.

It is in the collective continence of a fair society that we live where people are not automatically guilty. Is this always comfortable for the victims? Absolutely not! I am hurt that our beloved sister's family have served this country in the military to preserve Mike's rights to the freedoms he enjoys. The preservation of the 'right to a fair trial' has been upheld by Juanita's own brothers, sisters, uncles and extended family of in-laws and cousins. I call them extraordinary men and women who've left loved ones behind while on deployment to uphold the freedoms Martin and his children will enjoy for many years to come.

To be the ones who can step back in subdued reflection and clearly focus on the larger picture of what our society's fundamental system of beliefs is not easy when you are on the receiving end of a perceived injustice when tragedy has struck so close to your own heart.

The only thing I can tell any of you is to do the research, arm yourselves with the public information from the Idaho State Judiciary Records. Be better-informed neighbors and citizens.

My biggest fear is that someday, ten or fifteen years from now you will be among this broken wreckage as the new victims of Mike Martin, searching for closure that will never come.

i am glad mike finally got a fair punishment, that is if he gets time.I have heard him bragging about getting away with this horrific crime for way too long. I pray for the families who have been waiting for a fair trial and had to endure the pain of waiting for Mike to be punished.

You know, it seems that all want to forget that the other driver got behind the wheel, in an intoxicated state, as well.

While we are being spiteful, and invoking the name of our personal god, let us not forget that all parties were equally guilty of felony DUI. No innocents, in this case. Only lucky ones, to survive long enough to see a courtroom.

Mike never struck me as the sort to brag about such an horrific event. Never mentioned it, in fact. Have a nicer day.

Dear Bass Line,

What about the felony leaving the scene? Where they all guilty of that too? No all parties were not felony dui. I was at the verdict reading and it is my understanding based on what I heard in court that the felony dui was determined because of previous dui convictions. Let's keep it honest. You can shift blame but the felony dui and the felony leaving the scene.... Mike did that all on his own.

Let's put it this way, history repeats itself and Mike is no exception. Look at his previous records in the idaho courts repository. He has a total of - 28 cases - in his very short lifetime. Leaving the scene of an accident (previous case), DUIs(previous cases), following too close, reckless driving, speeding, probation violation, domestic battery, and so on and so forth. SO MANY of these have to do with driving. Mike has had other DUI's. His total court records speak for themselves and what type of individual he is.

May justice be served in the sentencing on the charges he WAS found guilty of.

I agree with ThePoet. Hopefully a few years down the road, no other family is affected so tragically by this individual.

I personally do not consider it a waste of taxpayers money...Speak ill of the dead all you want, I mean they cant defend themselves right? I wanted justice for my sister and Robert. And for my family and for the innocents that survived the crash because there WERE innocents. The parents and brothers and sisters and wife and husband and most especially for my sister's son and Robert's children..they are innocent and maybe weren't physically in the car but trust me when I say thier world crashed and died along with Juanita and Robert. It was with a sense of hope and belief in our judgicial system that had us try the old saying.. if at first you don't succeed try, try again? You can call it spite all you want. I call it a need for justice.

Dear Bassline

One should really do some research on laws before you decide to comment. Felony DUI is not just one DUI, and if one would please look at the records we will see Mike was rightfully convicted of this. The record behind the person speaks for itself, someone many parents would not want there children involved with no matter the age. I am so hurt and angry that we closed with a hung jury. I am thankful that some justice is being done and Mike will be off the streets for awhile. But in the same sense scared to death when he is back on them. And so very heart broken for the children who will be faced with this in every step of their lives. I am in the progress of getting a degree in criminal justice and this really has opened my eyes to both sides. I know that I will carry this with me and try my hardest to make some changes.

Waste of tax payer money!!?? The loss of a father, husband, son, brother, and an uncle..and the loss of a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and an aunt is a waste to find justice for? I don't understand how people can just talk as if all of this was no big deal and try to put the blame on everyone else. Yes the driver may have had some input on the wreck but she paid her ultimate price and is no longer with us and so therefore unable to defend herself! Maybe everyone else involved wanted her to drive because she seemed to be the least intoxicated?? Does anyone know? The answer--NO! And what about Robert? He was not the one driving. as far as he knew he was heading home. So exactly what did he do wrong? If Mike had not quote raced up on someone that was not experienced(he was WELL aware of the fact Juanita was not experienced)all of them would have made it home just fine. I have my drivers license and have had it for 15 years and I can't say I would not have reacted in that same exact mannner if I had been scared and wanted to get away from the danger. I also truely hope Mike does not hurt anyone elses family! It is now in the judges hands as to the justice that will be made for Mike and after that all is left in Gods hands. NOT mine, or YOURS!

Just wanted to correct the news article in today's paper. Michael's BAC was .10 approximately five (5) hours after the accident, not a .16 as reported by the paper.

I work in the legal field. It is truly a "criminal justice" system where many times the only "justice" is for the criminals. Victims have few rights. It is the criminals that get the "free" attorneys (that you and I pay for). The victims have to hire and pay someone to help them to obtain monetary damages---that is if they have anything to get. Where is the "justice" in that? This country is really butt backwards.

Then, the PA. The PD is far smarter than she will ever be. If I ever need to be defended...he is who I would go to and hire because I know he and his office would do a good job (not that I am a criminal mind you). It is too bad that he is NOT the PA.

I feel sorry for the people who lost loved ones in this. This guy should have been locked up years ago and that in itself is a crime. As far as 3 trials being a waste of money---the 75K a year that we pay the PA is the waste. "Justice" for those who lost loved ones was much needed and a form of public preservation. If we want to talk about what is a waste of money look at the criminal section in the paper! Why are most fines/fees reduced? If the Court collected what was imposed by the Court...we would have very little to support because there would be a ton of money in the Court budget for other things. But NO. Instead...we lower fines/fees. Another form of Government welfare.

Good luck to the people who lost someone in this "accident." I hope you have found some peace in all of this. Very-very bad thing. I truly hope you can get some peace from this.

I do feel sadness for those who lost someone, in this case. I also find it odd, to see the comment of "least intoxicated," as if that excuses anything. One drink is one too many, when getting behind the controls of a half-ton weapon of mass destruction. Yes, Ms. Ramirez paid with her life, and Robert's. But, being an adult, and aware that her actions could result in disaster, she started that vehicle, with her friends inside. As I said, I feel sad, for the friends and family, but I don'e excuse her actions, because she happens to be one of the deceased.

Let this case be a lesson, for others who would drink and drive.

Bass Line,

I just can't let it go. I see you backed away from the felony DUI comment. Thank you for that. As stated previously, Mike is the one who was guilty of that crime. Felony DUI has to do with prior DUI convictions.

You said that there are no innocents in this case. Oh yes there are. Look how many young children are without a parent.

I hate to admit it but Mike's children are victims here too. None of those innocents asked to have fractured lives but they do.

As far as if Mike ever bragged about what happened... I have no knowledge of this. I'll tell you one thing though... I saw the horrified looks on the jurors faces when they found out this was a felony DUI case. I have never seen people look so dejected and disappointed before. It was very humbling. Mike had that same ole' smirk on his face. I don't need to trash his character or say anything negative about him. Those jurors will never forget the look on his face.