'Teen Mom' star Mackenzie Edwards urges extension of ex Ryan's 1-year prison term on DUI and drug charges
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: 'Teen Mom' star Mackenzie Edwards demands her ex Ryan Edwards should get more time behind bars following his sentence to one year after his DUI and drug possession arrest. Mackenzie who has filed for divorce still attended Edwards's Hamilton County Court hearing which was also joined by the latter's parents, Jen and Larry.
The reality star was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence after he allegedly died and was brought back to life on Friday, April 7. During the court hearing, Judge Gary Starnes spoke of Edwards's drug addiction and said, "You can't do it. You have to grow up and want to save yourself," adding, "I'm going to do what I can to save you," on Thursday, April 20. He has been sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in prison.
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'Hopefully, he'll get more!'
Mackenzie, who is estranged from Ryan, referred to his one-year prison sentence and said, "It's a start. He's an addict. There are four other charges pending." He also faces pending charges for harassment, two counts of possession of controlled substances, and DUI. She wished, "Hopefully, he'll get more." Mackenzie concluded, "I have a job - they don't like this is going on." Meanwhile, the former MTV star's parents appeared to be emotional watching their only child walk into the room wearing an orange jumpsuit and in handcuffs, as per The Sun.
During the hearing, the court heard about his two new possession of a controlled substance and DUI charges, as well as the previous two harassment and possession of controlled substance charges. Ryan's attorney said, "Mr. Edwards concedes he did violate his probation," meaning to admit. However, a lawyer for the state said, "It appears Mr. Edwards would've violated probation by leaving treatment early. Mr. Edwards picked up two new criminal charges. For the court, given part of the probation violation is these new charges, he's conceding the violation." Judge Starnes claimed, "He was supposed to be in Austin, Texas. He was admitted March 16 and was discharged April 3."
Dispatching officer details Ryan Edwards' horrifying arrest
An officer spoke of Ryan's arrest on April 7 and said, "I was dispatched for a white male in a white pickup truck who was unconscious and unresponsive. The vehicle was running in [the] drive. The truck rolled into a curb on the driver's side. The curb stopped the vehicle. It was just Mr Edwards. He was unconscious, unresponsive. Fire was there. They were using a lockout kit to gain entry to the vehicle. He did not regain consciousness until he was put in medical and administered Narcan. There were two small baggies on Mr Edwards. A white-blue powder and a crystal substance."
A lawyer for the state then added, "This court is used to seeing probation violations, this defendant received a lenient break from this court and my office in March. He was given the opportunity for the second or third time to pursue rehabilitation." She stated, "He has a drug problem. He had an opportunity to pursue rehabilitation. He failed to do that. He was there for two weeks. He left the facility contradictory to the staff's advisement. The staff was trying to keep him there. He was ordered to be there for 45 days. He somehow got back to Chattanooga. Then a block from this courthouse, while so under the influence in his vehicle, he ran into a curb."
The lawyer added, "He could've hit people. He's a danger to himself and the public. His option is to get clean or die. There will be a request for more rehabilitation. The opportunity he had he squandered. That is disrespectful to the court and makes a mockery. She recommended 11 months and 29 days in prison." The judge then sympathised and said, "We all know Mr Edwards and his family. He's a very fine young man. He's very talented at what he does. We've all watched him grow up."
'You have to grow up and want to save yourself!'
"He is not a bad person. He just got addicted to hardcore drugs," said Starnes. He added, "He's an extreme danger to himself, he died on Broad Street and had to be brought back to life. You would've been dead. You should realize that. He's a danger to the public by driving his truck on drugs. Rehab won't be good because he won't do it. He needs to grow up, you know that. You have three kids."
"You may have some problems with your wife, but you have three kids. I'm trying to save your life. I'm going to revoke probation for 11 months and 29 days in custody. At some point, I may send you to rehab. You won't do it now. It's because the drug addiction is so strong. You can't do it. You have to grow up and want to save yourself. I'm going to do what I can to save you. If you come across someone at drugs at Silverdale stay away from them," said the judge. Ryan will next appear in court on June 12.