In December of last year, 17-year-old Tyler Alred pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter following a crash that resulted in the death of his 16-year-old friend, John Dunn.
Judge Mike Norman, presiding over the Muskogee County Court in Oklahoma, imposed a deferred 10-year sentence for DUI manslaughter on Alred.
The terms of this sentence stipulated that Alred must attend church for ten years, complete high school, and finish a welding course. Additionally, he is required to undergo drug, alcohol, and nicotine testing for one year, sport a drug and alcohol monitoring bracelet, and participate in victim impact panels.
Both Alred’s attorney and Dunn’s family consented to the terms of the sentence; Dunn’s sister expressed to the judge that imprisoning Alred would unjustly ruin two lives.
Judge Norman remarked that he had previously incorporated church attendance as a condition in other sentences, particularly in child support cases.
Despite this, he acknowledged that he had never previously employed it in the context of a manslaughter charge and was confident the sentence would withstand legal scrutiny. He expressed belief that neither party would appeal the decision.
“Both families expressed satisfaction with the ruling,” stated Norman in an interview.
“I consulted with the district attorney before finalizing the sentence. I acted according to my judgment,” he added.
Ryan Kiesel, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Oklahoma chapter, criticized the ruling, labeling it unconstitutional.
“It’s my understanding that this judge has suggested church attendance in past sentences, which I also find inappropriate. However, making attendance a condition of the sentence is a blatant infringement on the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment,” Kiesel stated.
The sentence has garnered support from both parties involved as well as the church. Pastor James McCracken of Boulevard Christian Church remarked that the cross symbolizes “the ultimate sign of hope” in his view.
“I believe that being in a church environment provides an opportunity to hear messages that could transform your life,” he commented.