Karen Irby, who pleaded guilty March 26 to two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of two doctors, was sentenced this morning to 18 years in prison for each count, her sentences to run concurrently.

Irby was intoxicated when she drove her black Mercedes head-on into a white pickup truck carrying Dr. Mark Pogue and Dr. Lisa Dedousis. The pickup truck burst into flames, killing both passengers. Irby and her husband, Stuart, were seriously injured.

For more on this story, see McMillin Talks on Irby 'Conspiracy.'

Previous Comments

ID

157763

Comment

18 years, less than half of the maximum sentence, compared to the lifetimes of two people whose occupations positively affect many others. Just doesn't seem right.

Author

jamesparker

Date

2010-05-11T10:59:49-06:00

ID

157765

Comment

I agree that the sentence is way too little to pay for the lives of two young doctors and dedicated as Drs. Pogue and Dedousis were. I hope the civil suit in court does better. I would like to see the Irby's establish a foundation that builds the medical clinic Dr. Dedousis was so committed to creating in New York.

Author

deltabelle

Date

2010-05-11T12:09:04-06:00

ID

157766

Comment

I agree; it sounds like a light sentence for the crime. Note that my interview with McMillin and investigators, linked above, foreshadowed that she was likely to go to prison for much less time than perhaps she could have. From that story due to odd choices of charges by the DA (who has not returned our calls about this case to answer these questions): Data gathered by McMillin indicated, though, that the plea could have resulted from an overly ambitious charge of depraved heart murder. He said JPD showed that JPD had presented a strong case for indicting Irby on three counts of aggravated DUI--which can bring up to 25 years for each murder or maiming (as in her husband's injuries). Instead, Smith re-indicted Irby for gross negligence manslaughter, which officers claim is more difficult to prove and will likely bring a lighter sentence than aggravated DUI.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-05-11T13:08:33-06:00

ID

157767

Comment

Here's an updated JFP article with more info.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2010-05-11T13:49:19-06:00

ID

157768

Comment

Just another case of the white man keeping the black man down. Attica!

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-11T13:49:37-06:00

ID

157769

Comment

If it is true, as the victims’ families said today, that Stuart was beating Karen when this horrific accident occurred, then I hope that he serves time as well. In my opinion, he is just as culpable as she is for killing these two doctors. If the allegations are true that he abused the child or Karen, then he is a coward. I am very scared for their children should they be left in his custody.

Author

ellen

Date

2010-05-11T14:19:33-06:00

ID

157772

Comment

Good point, Ellen. I am always in awe of victims' families who show compassion and ask for leniency. This thing is so tragic in every direction, but especially for the families of the victims. (Drummin, did you post on the wrong thread?)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-05-11T14:55:24-06:00

ID

157774

Comment

No I did not. You said it seemed like a light sentence for the crime. Your words. I wonder why? Because she's white! In the next case the black man will get a much harsher sentence, hence my assertion of the case as an example of the white man with his heel on the throat of the black man. Racist!

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-11T15:36:42-06:00

ID

157777

Comment

Drummin, if I may say something, no one can prove or disprove that race had any part of this - you may have a point, you may not. But what I think caught people's attention is the tragic accident itself and the idea that the Irbys have alot of wealth and influence, not to mention their many contributions to political leaders and organizations. This one was destined to be scrutinized closely by the average citizen like you and I (assuming, of course, that you are indeed average).

Author

jamesparker

Date

2010-05-11T16:30:05-06:00

ID

157780

Comment

" and the idea that the Irbys have alot of wealth and influence" Yeah, wealth and influence, because they are white. How many black "Irby's" are there? :) "This one was destined to be scrutinized closely by the average citizen like you and I (assuming, of course, that you are indeed average)." Oh no, that is a HORRIBLE assumption, I am FAR from average. I'm about as far from the average Mississippian as physically possible. I am quite exceptional.

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-11T17:47:12-06:00

ID

157787

Comment

I have a friend who just went to prison Nov 2009 for a similar accident. She was drinking, had an accident and her fiance was killed. She was sentenced to 8yrs. She is black and working class.

Author

justmarlon3

Date

2010-05-12T08:16:54-06:00

ID

157789

Comment

I'm kinda surpised she got 18yrs, I thought she might get 8-10yrs. I don't really understand why she pled guilty if it's true that Stuart was hitting on her and pulling her hair. Seems she could have gone to trial and proven he caused the wreck and not gotten but a few years or maybe none at all.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2010-05-12T12:51:09-06:00

ID

157790

Comment

"I have a friend who just went to prison Nov 2009 for a similar accident. She was drinking, had an accident and her fiance was killed. She was sentenced to 8yrs. She is black and working class." Well I guess that little anecdote just let all white people off the hook for everything. My bad, I apologize, to you to Bubba. I've been so naive. White people really do have it harder than blacks these days...

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-12T12:54:04-06:00

ID

157791

Comment

Drummin- ?????

Author

BubbaT

Date

2010-05-12T12:59:15-06:00

ID

157798

Comment

I have wondered the same, Bubba. We will probably never know the answers to many questions regarding this case. One fact we know for certain…Karen Irby was legally drunk and driving the vehicle that crashed into Dr. Dedousis and Dr. Pogue. There was no escaping that fact regardless of whether or not she tried to prove that Stuart was beating her when the wreck happened. What I don’t believe is that alcohol was the only factor that caused her to drive over 70 mph into oncoming traffic on Old Canton Rd. There had to be some other factor involved. I think it’s safe to say that the victims’ families have more information than we do about what actually happened, and they obviously believe that Stuart Irby played a major role in causing the accident. Considering his history of abuse, this is not such a far-fetched assumption.

Author

ellen

Date

2010-05-12T13:58:35-06:00