Victim's Family Says Justice System Failed

Victim's Family Says Justice System Failed

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Sunday night Percy Thompson was out of the hospital and back in jail. Thompson has a lengthy criminal history behind him, and many are not surprised by the charges now before him: vehicular homicide of a 3-year-old boy.

"He should not have been on the road. My baby should still be here," said Paige Buchanon. Her son was killed Saturday in an accident that some say could have been avoided.

Courtroom testimony the day before the accident revealed very real fears that Percy Thompson, if let out of jail, could kill someone, and just 12 hours after his release, Thompson, according to police, killed Darius Marquise Buchanan: an innocent 3-year-old, who looked forward to trick-or-treating Saturday night.

"It's sad that somebody would want to take a child's life, and he took it with no remorse. It's like, as soon as he heard me say, "My baby," he took off!" Paige Buchanon, Marquise mother.

Sensitivity doesn't seem to be high on Thompson's list, according to those who know him. His list of offenses is lengthy: 59 arrests by Metro Police, and he's only 23-years-old. He's a convicted felon for robbery.

Thompson was released from the Davidson County jail on Friday and then picked up perhaps his most serious charge yet: vehicular homicide.


"He was speeding -- I mean, it was like he was like a lightning bolt toward a car. There was no way we could have dodged him or anything," explained Buchanon. "Please do not give him another slap on the wrist," she said regarding Thompson's punishment.

Metro police said Thompson, behind the wheel of his girlfriend's Lexus, crossed the median on Brick Church Pike and Broad-sided a Ford Taurus. Paige Buchanon was a passenger in that car. Her only son, Darius was strapped in the backseat on the side that was hit. Darius was not ejected as police first thought; however, he was killed almost instantly allegedly by a man who, according to many, should never have been out of jail.

A Nashville couple, once victimized by Thompson said they begged Judge Mark Fishburn on Friday to keep Percy Thompson behind bars. Still, he was released reportedly wearing an ankle device for tracking purposes. Witnesses to Saturday's crash say Thompson had been drinking, and that he left the scene in his girlfriend's Lexus, eventually attempting to flee on-foot.

Victim's Family Says Justice System Failed - NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee -

When I read stories like this, it really makes me wonder why I try so hard to bring good cases against bad people to put them in jail, where they belong. When Judges are more likely to set them free than lock them up.

It pains me to think of the new victims of those that I locked up over the years for crimes including murder, who were released back into civilization by liberal judges. All any good cop can say is that we tried.

Seeing all too many stories like this, I sometimes wonder just when, and why, vigilante became a pejorative.

There is no deterrence for criminals anymore. Unless you commit such a monstrous act like Oklahoma City Bombing or the like. The idea that your sentence will deter you from committing another offense is very low.

But I think the vigilante reference is logical here.

Think about it, criminals know how to play the system.

They know the likelihood of serious time is extremely low even in cases like this one. I will bet you a steak dinner this guy will go back to prison but will be out in 5 years, 8 tops. He will not serve more than 10 years period.

He'll be back out at the ripe old age of 28 to 33 years old, a felon multiple times over with a homicide on his record and he'll just move onto his next victim.

I really don't know what to think of the justice system anymore.

Once upon a time a felon like this man would be sitting in a 5X8 cell for 30 years with no chance of parole and that would be on his record before he killed a 3 year old.

I guess I am growing more cold in my old age having lost the illusion the CJS works and is fair years ago.

Personally it needs to be fixed, its broken... might even be broken beyond repair but if something isn't done I think society just might look for other alternate ways to dispense justice.


I always think of that saying...


"Sometimes there's justice, but sometimes there's just us"

Originally Posted by TMMT

Courtroom testimony the day before the accident revealed very real fears that Percy Thompson, if let out of jail, could kill someone, and just 12 hours after his release, Thompson, according to police, killed Darius Marquise Buchanan: an innocent 3-year-old, who looked forward to trick-or-treating Saturday night.

Could someone fill me in? What was he arrested for the first time that would make them believe he could kill someone?

Originally Posted by jth_3s

Could someone fill me in? What was he arrested for the first time that would make them believe he could kill someone?

http://ccc.nashville.gov/jis-web-aff...2004528725.pdf

http://ccc.nashville.gov/jis-web-aff...3712763718.pdf

http://ccc.nashville.gov/jis-web-aff...1953869553.pdf

http://ccc.nashville.gov/jis-web-aff...-808819362.pdf


Criminal Court Clerk of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County -- Public Case Search - Defendant Name

What a sad story. I have come to believe that the legal enterprise and the court system is a cruel, cynical joke. There is simply no fear in the hearts of wrongdoers for any part of it. Those who choose to game the system simply do and laugh about it. It is disgusting and unseemly for our society to speak of justice for the victims of any crime in this day and time. The adults in our society need to seriously consider the "tar and feather" option for judges who habitually let this trash back out on the streets; along with the procecuters who plea bargain for them.

TMMT is exactly right; and it aint just happening in Nashville either.

guess I am growing more cold in my old age having lost the illusion the CJS works and is fair years ago.

Personally it needs to be fixed, its broken... might even be broken beyond repair but if something isn't done I think society just might look for other alternate ways to dispense justice.


I always think of that saying...


"Sometimes there's justice, but sometimes there's just us"

The affidavit form has a section that says:

"conduct creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to a person,"

That's the charge that should be levied against whoever released this guy the day before.

TMMT said "I will bet you a steak dinner this guy will go back to prison but will be out in 5 years, 8 tops."
You have more faith than I do. I'll be surprised if this moron serves more than 3 years.

Paul Kersey had the right idea.

There are no liabilities for these judges. They get elected and stay put. If they were ever RESPONSIBLE for any of their decisions, things might change.

Imagine if a judge could be incarcerated because on of his felons got out early and committed another crime. It would guarantee long sentences for all.

It would help if jail was a real unpleasant experience, too.

Originally Posted by Semiauto

It would help if jail was a real unpleasant experience, too.

+1 here. Most of the thugs have it better in jail. 3 meals, roof over their head. Heat and air, weight rooms, library all that and they dont have to work for it.

Oh, we do the work for it.