Only killed a homeless person? Readers fired up over comments on hit-run case

The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office filed an adult criminal charge Wednesday against Jordan Valdez, 17, (left inset) accused of fleeing a fatal crash earlier this year. Valdez, of Davis Islands, faces one count of leaving the scene of an accident with death, a first-degree felony that carries a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison.

A homeless woman, Melissa Sjostrom, 33, (right inset) died in the Hyde Park accident.

The Tampa Police Department closed the hit-and-run investigation in April without making an arrest, but reactivated it a month later after the St. Petersburg Times raised questions about the case.

The story is the most commented this morning on tampabay.com, with more than 145 comments posted since last night. Valdez has her defenders who stress her youth, but others are calling for stiff punishment.

Many are debating the first comment that appeared with the story, from Rob of Tampa: "That's a shame; let that young girl go. She only killed a homeless person. It's not like she killed a animal. She has her whole life ahead of her. She was a minor when this happened; she should do no time."

We don't know if Rob was being sarcastic, as one reader suggested, or just callous. Whatever his intention, he certainly sparked an outpouring of response. Here's a look at what people are saying:

"Being homeless doesn't diminish the fact she is still a human being," wrote Rich. "The young lady is 17, not a child. She should have stopped, period."

"'She only killed a homeless person.' Are you crazy? What is wrong with you!" wrote Traci from Tampa. "If 16-year-olds can get a license then they need to abide by the laws set forth. It is not the accident that killed it is the fact she left the person in the road!"

"Part of me really feels bad for this girl, she made a dumb kid mistake by panicking, but then got some REAL bad advice from her family. Sad for all involved," wrote Edward from Tampa.

"Its about time," said Mike from Pinellas Park. "I am so tired of people being run down and the drivers just leave its sickening."

Markus from Munich, Germany, had questions about Valdez' possible sentence: "Why do they want  this kid going to jail for 20 years? In Germany people under the age of 21 are going to the juvenile court. And you know what...it works! You have to work with these kids."

Read the story, share your reaction.

Comments

[Marshal]

What ever happened to an accident being an accident? It is not like she purposely ran over the woman. And, as a sheltered teen, of privelege, she did panic and did the only thing she knew, run to her parents, as all KIDS do when they are scared. That is when the parents should have stepped in to do the right thing. Can somebody explain to me what "juvenile" means and why she isn't considered a juvenile?

[Mrs. Mike]

james hendry. are you the same one that lives on moon shell dr? there is nothing humorous about what you have written, and ther is no redemming value to your comments. none whatsoever. regardless of whether the dead woman was homeless person or a drug addict she was still a person. the child needs to be punished. you are one big fat sociopathic mental midget that suffers from narcissistic disorder. praise to God you haven't procreated, because you think you are better than everyone else and you can't find a woman that can tolerate you long enough to even have a relationship. you are probably one lonely little, little man.

[ozzy]

hey tim , hey jeff, if that is your opinion , MEET ME AT RIVERFRONT PARK (NEAR D.T. TAMPA) YOU CAN FIND IT (ME) AND I PROMISE YOU , I WILL PERSONALY CHANG YOUR OPINION, PROMISE!!!!

[Chris]

Come on people: If all we have to do is waste our time on picking on others, then you all must be bored and lonely. She is paying the price for doing what she did. Money or no money, makes no difference. WAKE UP TAMPA! ACCIDENTS HAPPEN! EVEN AT 16!!! WHAT IF SHE WAS 80 & DID THIS? THINK BEFORE YOU EXPRESS YOUR HORRIBLE THOUGHTS

[Pat]

If you accept the responsibility to drive and the maturity to get a license you can't claim to have an oversight in your judgment to avoid penalty.The roads are more crowded and old people drive just as nuts as the kids but you can't allow them to ignore basic human values.Don't hit and injure/kill other people. If you do, you should have to pay a heavy price.Wealth,race,and ignorance should have no bearing.The girl should be grateful she did not wreck and hurt someone else or herself.A few days in jail is small penance for a life changing event.

[Lila]

This was to me a reasonable example of the lack of maturity and judgment of a youngster. The driving age should be increased to 18. However, there are plenty of drunk adults, people on cell phones and texting, that should not be driving. It is disheartening to read people commenting on race (what a stupid thing to do) or on money. This is a tragedy and until the laws change, the young will still occupy the lion's share of accident related deaths. Period. Not all young people are irresponsible and certainly she should have stopped, but let's
move on people.

[J. Judkins]

How about a long community service sentence for the girl ? Say five years. Ex: giving speeches about cautious driving and responsibilities of driving to high school students. Also the merits of telling the truth. As for the parents, throw the book at them; no excuse.

[JM]

She left the scene of an accident. THEN her parents report the car missing (after it was impounded).

But what makes this case worse is that for nearly 5 MONTHS, her and her parents outright refused to speak to authorities.

I can understand panicking and fleeing...but she should have spoken to police asap. Not hide behind Mom and Dad for MONTHS.

For that reason, I hope she gets the same sentence that Porter did, PLUS: Losing her license, and atleast a month in jail.

Adult enough to drive...adult enough to take responsibility, and be charged as an adult.

[Quaqmire]

Jordan shouldn't be put in jail, period. What would that teach her exactly? What lesson is learned be spending time in the slammer? Next time a crackhead walks in front of the car and you smash her, call 911? She needs jail time for that lesson to be learned? Who cares if her family has money or not, how does that affect her? Why should society pay for something like this. We have overcrowded jails and prisons as it is and violent offenders are released way to early only to commit new crimes because people that don't belong in jail are being put there. Besides, she is way to cute for jail...see precedent set by Deb LeFave.

[cd348]

Hmm. Cute kid. Obviously too pretty for jail. That seems to be the norm in Hillsborough County.

A question...if she had killed the homeless person with a pistol, while playing with the weapon, would she be considered responsible for her actions? It seems to me that regardless of how she killed the person, the person is just as dead.

Too bad for everyone involved, though. The dead victim and the cute kid with a promising future, as well as her family, paying for a mistake which could have been so easily avoided.

[Gilbert Ford]

The comments made by some, basically glorifying the death of a human being is very tough to rationalize. However, as All Americans, we are entitled to voice our concerns/opinions be it for or against! So, I don't look so hard at the comment, just the content and commentator.

It is no doubt, the young lady not only made lapse(s), error(s) in judgement, however, the end result is a human being loss their life. Perhaps, the Legislature may want to reevaluate the driving ages and standards in this State.

To what degree and scope of punishment if any, will be for the Judiciary to decide. Accountability, be it in Juvenile Court or Adult Court should be followed.

Equally, I find it deeply troubling, that the Law Enforcement agency had to be basically prodded into doing the job to which we citizens should basically expect. Why?

My feeling is, the original Court decision was skewed. I can only speculate that facts both prosecutorial or investigative may have been witheld, I simply don't know, (my opinion).

Sure, more negatives than positives will emerge in the coming days, this we can be assured of, however, we should not allow our adult selves to become so engrossed in the commentary, that we overlook this tragic teaching lesson to our children and young adults.

[james hendry]

"if this girl were black she'd be in jail?" really? can you ever stop feeling sorry for yourself and maybe take responsibility in your life??? when does being black have anything to do with anything???? dont be a burden.

[james hendry]

the family of whatever the homeless crack addicts name was needs to pay for the car damage and legal fee's of jordan, no only that they should be sued for compensation in stress and social circumstances, people never astound me in their worthlessness.

[james hendry]

Why do you stupid people continue commenting as if Jordan did anything wrong, People jump in front of subways, people throw themselves in front of carriages drawn by horses if the situation presents itself, why are you so stupid?

[james hendry]

A 16 yr old hits a homeless crack addict who wants an ipod for christmas... doesn't that get you 15 tokens and a sticky pinwheel that you throw at the wall and it slowly rolls down?- at least thats what happens at Malibu Golf...

[james hendry]

Paul James, worthless, should be terminated. Pastor Dan, he deserves the cross- and yet, doesn't (know what i mean)... (no i doubt you know what i mean), how have we at humans dissolved to the point where rating seeking blasphemers expunge false, liable condemnations, without any repercussive validation, Colleen Jenkins needs a trial, the rest of you, i'm sure your unemployed and just trying to suck society for all you can, thanks for the good times and your stupid thoughts.

[james hendry]

oh, and if you dont know what "lackluster flesh" means... you might be a redneck... oh and if you dont get that joke, you might be a drudge on society... and oh, if you're reeling at the term redneck, you probably dont know how far south we southerners can get... and if you dont know allegory, than you are stuck in a cave where shadows are merely shadows... and you are a moron.

[james hendry]

wow. Retarded, worthless people. I have not procreated, but I am sure you have. It is well evidenced. Jordan should not be prosecuted, she should not be interred in any sort of rehabilitation facility, nor should she have any of you pariahs loitering on her front steps to assume political correctness. When I say you are worthless, you are, and it is well understood. Please, join the lemmings, find your way to a cliff. Do not go to work and please do not try to impact society on any level. Good lord we have worked so hard to safe guard ourselves against your mobs and your fake, fake, fake sympathies. Please, go away.

[Rob]

Shakeela, she is white, so what. But I see your comment as totally racist!

[Pastor Dan]

An eye for an eye...that's what the Bible says. This girl should get the death penatly. A life is a life in God's eyes.

[Paul James]

james hendry, Please tell me you haven't procreated. I sure hope it never happens to one of your family members... most likely running like hell to get away from you.

She broke the law... she should stand accountable. Not 30-years worth... but she has to stand accountable for her actions. Her parents should for thiers as well.

[jimmy]

Why don't you all give her what the Times wants, a firing squad.

[TC]

Hey James Hendry..your hysterical!! "terminate their-self on your car... if you want ratings, if you want a story (???) why don't you try furthering your intellectual being, try creating a soul for your lackluster flesh" WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN!!? HAHAHA Have you taken your meds today! LOL
Okay back to this girl, yeah she probably should be prosecuted as a minor but she should be prosecuted, I mean she did leave the scene of an accident involving death. I get that she was in a panic, I get that, but after you panic..you drive away.. you get home..you tell your folks what happened..THEN YOU CALL THE POLICE! HELLOOOOO At this point it just looks like they were trying to cover everything up, therefore, prosectute her! The first "panic" mistake I can understand, but the cover-up.. that's an actual crime.

[Shakeela]

If this girl was black she would be in jail. This is obvious racism.

[W]

The family isn't even rich. Big misconception there. They have a decent house, nothing more.