KRISTV.com
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS | CONTINUOUS NEWS COVERAGE
Powered by
State News
Man Gets Life For 8th Drunken-Driving Conviction
Posted: Nov 27, 2012 7:56 AM
NEW BRAUNFELS - A 45-year-old Texas Hill Country man convicted an eighth time for drunken driving must serve at least 30 years in prison.
A jury in New Braunfels sentenced Cornelio Garcia-Mata of New Braunfels to life in prison, of which he must serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole, Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp said Monday.
The jury delivered the sentence Nov. 16 at the request of prosecutors, she said.
Garcia was arrested Feb. 26 after driving erratically on Interstate 35. Civilians helped officers stop Garcia, and tests revealed a.446 percent blood-alcohol level. That's 5½ times the legal threshold for drunken driving in Texas, Tharp said. He was still on parole from a six-year prison sentence from a 2008 conviction.
The eight convictions came over a 22-year period.
"He was given every type of treatment Texas has to offer, including the most intensive form of (inpatient) treatment involving lockdown," Tharp said.
The prosecutor says this was the first drunken driving case in Comal County to bring a life sentence since she joined the office staff in 2004.
However, she estimated that about 30 Texans have drawn a life sentence for multiple repeat drunken-driving convictions.
Video On Demand
Submit News
Do you have a tip, information about a breaking news story, or a story idea for 6 Investigates? Contact the KRIS 6 News Desk at 361-884-6666 or send us an email.
Most Popular
KRISTV.COM is Social!
Click the icons above to receive News, Weather, and Sports alerts from KRISTV.COM!
Inside KRISTV.COM
 |
Photo Central Look at photos and videos and share them! |
 |
Desktop Weather Current forecast, hurricane info, and much more! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Website Get KRISTV.com on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Apps Get our mobile apps on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
Texas Lottery See the latest winning numbers! |
 |
6 News Team Read about your favorite KRIS-TV personalities! |
 |
FCC Online Public File FCC Public File of Records, Reports, and more |
Comments