Amanda Kosal admitted she was intoxicated when she struck an SUV head-on, killing 31-year-old Jerome Zirker, a father of five, and seriously injuring his fiancée.
Amanda was eventually sentenced to three to 15 years in prison.
During her sentencing in February 2017, she was ushered into the Michigan courtroom over which Judge Qiana Lillard presided. While the victim's family read their impact statements — bravely expressing their heartache over Jerome's tragic death and the impact it made on their lives — Judge Lillard heard giggles coming from the back of the courtroom.
Two members of Amanda's family were laughing and smirking, including her mother, Donna. Judge Lillard was so outraged that she decided to teach a very powerful lesson.
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The judge briefly stopped the victim's family and turned her attention to Amanda's mother. "This is a court of law, and these are very serious matters," she scolded. "I understand you all are very upset because your loved one is going to prison — but guess what? She’s going to prison for the choices that she made. These people are here grieving, saddened because a senseless act took away their loved one, and you’re sitting here acting like it’s a joke?"
Judge Lillard took things a step further — and footage showing her unconventional punishment went viral.
