MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos's sentence commuted to 10 years, but Internet says still too much

Colorado Governor commutes trucker's sentence from 110 years to 10 years, but many find even that too extreme, while others furious Gov intervened

Colorado trucker Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was handed some good news ahead of the new year after it was announced his sentence was being commuted. Governor Jared Polis on December 30 announced that Mederos would only serve 10 years in prison, down from the massive 110 years he was initially sentenced to. The move came after widespread public pressure, including from Kim Kardashian, but it seems that even 10 years is too much for some.

Social media is now divided over the decision, with many calling for Mederos to be released altogether. The 26-year-old trucker was initially sentenced to 110 years on December 13 over the 2019 Denver I-70 crash, where four people were killed. That first sparked a Change.org petition with over 4 million signatures, and a public pressure campaign spearheaded by Kardashian. Then on December 19, truckers decided to boycott the state, with several taking to TikTok to announce the boycott. 

RELATED ARTICLES

What's next for Julius Jones? Here are the options for inmate after halted execution

Andrew Cuomo sparks fury as he 'commutes' sentence for killer David Gilbert

It appears that the massive pressure campaign has now worked, with Governor Polis intervening and providing Mederos with some relief. The news has however divided social media. Some are calling for the sentence to be reduced even further, while others think it is an apt decision.

Mederos to be released in 10 years

Polis announced the commutation on December 30, alongside two others, as well as 15 individual pardons and an executive order granting 1,351 pardons for those convicted of possessing two ounces or less of marijuana. He called the sentence "simply not commensurate with your actions" and said, "there is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system."

Polis did however note that Mederos was "not blameless" and that the 10-year sentence was "just". Under the commutation, Mederos will have to serve a minimum of five years before being eligible for parole, on December 30, 2026. The decision has however met with some stiff opposition, primarily from DA Alexis King who prosecuted the case. King questioned the timing, noting that her office was working to have the sentence reconsidered. The judge granted that request and scheduled a January 13 hearing, which may now be scrapped.

King wasn't the only one displeased by the commutation. One person tweeted, "A disappointing decision - ten years isn't enough for the severity of the accident. For those who say it was an accident, he still needs to be held accountable for his negligent actions." Another commented, "Ignorant people on this thread think this was an "accident". Is it an accident to drive nearly 40 miles on failing brakes, skipping exits to let your brakes cool, and then ultimately skipping the emergency truck ramp? This was willful neglect resulting in the death of 4 people." One user said, "I’d have given him 10 for each victim. He’s still responsible as the driver. Pre Trip etc. He didn’t hit the runaway truck lane or use his jake. He messed up and 4 people are dead. I’m sorry doesn’t cut it."

'Not worth a celebration'

Others, however, were still furious that Mederos would have to serve jail time. "This is still so messed up, his brakes stopped working, how is that on him, unless it was his own truck and he neglected to do maintenance on them, but still it’s not like he meant to hurt those people!" one Twitter user commented. Another said, "10 years is too much. Come on..its was an unfortunate accident. His life ruin cause the company did not take care of their trucks?" One user tweeted, "Rogel Aguilera-Mederos’ sentence getting lowered from 110 years to 10 years is not worth a celebration. 10 years is still insane for something he was not responsible for. This man should not be getting convicted at all."

It's unclear how the victims' families view Polis' commutation, but they were clearly against the 110-year sentence issued earlier. Several of them reportedly backed King's effort at resentencing, backing lower jail time. King was reportedly aiming for 20-30 years, far higher than what Mederos will now serve. 

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.