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Mom: Punishment Doesn't Fit the Crime Save Email Print
Posted: 11:14 PM Aug 27, 2008
Last Updated: 11:14 PM Aug 27, 2008
Reporter: Jamie Edmonds
Email Address: jamie.edmonds@wilx.com

A | A | A

Eighteen-year-old Michelle Sprenkel is visibly nervous.

"I'm scared," Sprenkel said. "I've never been to jail before and I'm really sad."

She and her mother Collette are waiting in line at the Ingham County Jail for processing...the aftermath of a decision Michelle wishes she could take back.

"I should have thought a little harder," she said.

Sprenkel, who wasn't drinking...

"I blew a zero at the police station," Sprenkel said.

...flashed the crowd at the Cedar Fest riot in April, and now she's paying dearly for it.

"Fourteen days in jail, one year probation with random substance tests, 80 hours community service and 2,000 in fines to be paid in 10 months," Sprenkel said.

But does the time fit the crime? Sprenkel's mother doesn't think so.

"When I saw everything coming at her, it blew my mind," Collette Sprenkel said. "I thought it was outrageous."

We talked to Dennis McGinty, of an East Lansing law firm that prosecuted approximately 60 defendants from the Cedar Fest riots. He said this was not subjective. Under the riot act, most defendants got similar fines and sentences, which is little consolation for a mother.

"I don't think it's right when they charge everyone as if it's the same crime," Collette Sprenkel said.

But Michelle's punishment, unfortunately, is non-negotiable.

"I think it was a very stupid moment for me," Michelle Sprenkel said. "I just got caught up in the moment."

A moment, she'll have plenty of time to think about.

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Posted by: Sue Location: Jackson on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I can't believe how harshly they are treating her. Nearly 20 years ago I had a family member who was shot and killed while hunting; 2 weeks later they were finally able to determine who killed him and he was allowed to go free even though he did not have a hunting license, was trespassing and was not to have possession of a gun. Guess I cannot understand how sentences are handed down; when a young lady uses poor judgment and is locked up. Has the court system never heard of community service? Why not have her do a set number of hours to help those in the community who are less fortunate; and believe me I know how many people are struggling these days, not to mention a waste of taxpayers money to have her locked up. I apologize to you Michelle for the stupidity of our legal system.

Posted by: Pam Location: Jackson on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Will our communities bring back the chain gangs? There is nothing more humiliating than being display in public as a criminals. In colonial days, criminals were stuck in stockades for days. It was a punishment of sin.

Posted by: Lew Location: jackson on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:32 AM
If she had been in New Orleans, she would have gotten a string of beads. I agree with Mom on this one.

Posted by: Nick Location: Taylor on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:02 PM
When first offense DUI's don't get you jail time there is no reason whatsoever this girl should be in jail. Get a clue and change your retarded riot laws Lansing.

Posted by: Annie Location: Lansing on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:05 PM
This is what's wrong with society! Parents thinking their kids shouldn't be punished when they break a law or a rule at school. Rules and laws are made for a reason. If someone follows the law or a rule there is no punishment. If we break a law or rule there is punishment. Now if the girl didn't break the law she wouldn't have had to deal with a punishment. Instead of mom teaching her daughter there are consequences for her actions, she is instead saying I don't think the punishment fits the crime, it's too harsh. Mom! What are you teaching your daughter? The girl broke the law, she deserves whatever the law gives her as punishment.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:45 PM
she will remember not to do it again!

Posted by: Cool Breeze Location: East Lansing on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:22 PM
she may have blown a zero but there has to be a reason they want her to have random drug test.

Posted by: James Location: Stockbridge on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:17 PM
This type of activities goes in cycles. The student do not realized how stupid activities will effect them in life. A criminal record prevents people from getting a concealed gun. It stops the ability to work in careers. It is on their records forever. Young adults complain that they do not have enough decision making privileges. When they are given opportunities to make decisions, some tend to make foolish ones.

Posted by: kris Location: dansville on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Good luck Michelle. 2 weeks you can handle it, you're a tough cookie!!

Posted by: Bill Location: Lansing on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:58 AM
It is one thing to damage property or throw rocks and the like. But a women flashing the crowd, come on now people, get some common sense. A warning and a small fine would of been appropiate. I quess she should be thankful she does not have to regester as a sex offender.

Posted by: LegallyRad Location: Lansing on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:23 AM
HA HA HA HA HA.... classic. she flashed the crowd and hadn't even been drinking. i hope her community service has her posted somewhere very "visible."

Posted by: Matt Location: VA on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:20 AM
"Charge everyone as if it's the same crime" It WAS the same crime. Stop making excuses. You. Messed. Up. Deal with the consequences.

Posted by: Matt Location: Lansing on Aug 27, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Boo hoo hoo, I'm in tears (*SARCASM*). I don't feel bad at all. She did what she did, so she must pay the penalty.

WILX Poll
Should The Government Have A Stake In The Big 3?

Yes
No


Expert: Big 3 Failure Would Be Disaster
Expert: Big 3 Failure Would Be Disaster
  • Posted By: craigIf anyone in power was really concerned with helping people of lesser means we would be talking about bring jobs back to the USA where we can prosper and be proud of hard work again. how about a bailout for the countless unemployed AMERICANS, or parents on the brink of disaster that will last a lifetime.
  • Posted By: craiggovernment should help automakers at this point, however to say they (auto makers) are not responsible for the recession is absurd. how many more jobs can they push overseas before there will be no one left to purchase their products anyhow?
  • Posted By: BuzzWhy should the Big 3 be bailed out? GM wants to sell off our discontinue the Saturn, which is affordable but has made no mention of discontinuing the Corvette and other less affordable models. If GM wants help have them pick one particular model in each of its lines, i.e. the Lacrosse for Buick, Impala for Chevrolet and the Aura for Saturn. GM is about as impervious as the out-going President is - they just don't get it! I read and sympathize with the line workers who say they can't even afford to buy a new car from the company that they work for - that's pretty sad and certainly doesn't promote company solidarity. Like I've said before, make the Big 3 sell what's sitting at all the dealerships even if they have to take a loss before making another automobile. Why keep making what nobody wants at prices nobody wants to pay?
  • Posted By: BethThe Big 3 failure would be a major disaster - I agree. However, I don't feel that the government or tax payers should bail them out until they have made the same kinds of concessions that citizens, small business, and union members have already made. Begin by severely downsizing the execs and their benefits i.e. luxuries. Times are tough and they should share in the "recession life style" is part of the reason for decreased car sales. I need a newer car badly, but it's not on my shopping list any time soon. They are flying and driving nice cars. Get real! The union members have suffered considerable cuts already including loss of workers, benefits and wages. Make equal cuts in management, wages, and benefits, then look at union members' additional concessions, and financial aide from the government.
  • Posted By: jonlike i said we the workers will and are getting hurt.they gain we lose
  • Posted By: METhank you UAW, if the union would not have barganed until the big 3 couldn't afford it any more we would all be able to afford nice cars. I was in the union before and it definently isnt all peaches and cream. Sure they will fight to get you more but look what it has done.. Workers recieved more then the company could afford and now more may lose everything. Thanks again UAW. It is flat out B.S. that the government will bail out huge corporations but only give the autos a loan. Its all for the politicians gain, main street America has been hurting alot longer then wall street, but wall street affected the politicians pocket so they did something about it. Mr & Mrs politician help us out, cut your pay & benefits.......quit cutting ours.
  • Posted By: LegallyRadTo Explain: If the banks were not bailed out, that would have affected the big 3, and every other business that deals with the banks (show me one that doesn't). This has nothing to do with Bush. Big 3 are very poorly run, and concede too much to organized labor. The bail out will first be essentially worthless since it will amount to a drop in a bucket, and the companies just blow cash. They need to fail to preserve our American capitalistic economy. Chances are only one or two of them will go out of business, but if they properly restructure then they could be saved... restructuring means cutting labor costs and consolidating products. If you want to blame something, it's mostly due to the mortgage crisis which began with Carter and Clinton who refused to allow banks to ensure that people could actually pay for their loans because they felt it might be discrimination. Look where that policy got us. Bush just happens to be in office when their poorly built floor calapsed.
  • Posted By: MicheleI cannot believe that they are not going to bail out the Big 3.Ford is not even sure it is going to need the money. And why do the banks get bailouts with no questions asked but they make the Big 3 jump through hoops of fire and all they want to do is borrow the money...... Reid is an idiot, and doesn't have a clue of how manufacturing works and what the ramifications down the road will be. Including restraurant, stores, and other service industries closing and going out of business due to lack of business. Let's keep America working!
  • Posted By: George Bush did not run our country in the ditch. He crash it stright into the wall at 100/mph.
  • Posted By: patthis is one more reason we need to thank George Bush for running our country into the ditch!

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