Don’t Jump to Conclusions about Texas Nurse Who Allegedly Killed Six

Photo from DailyNews.com

Traveling nurse from Texas Nicole Linton, 37, has been charged with six counts of murder and six counts of manslaughter after allegedly speeding through an intersection, leaving six dead. Citing a record of Nicole’s alleged thirteen previous wrecks, the prosecution claimed she was a danger. A judge gave Nicole a two-million-dollar bail bond, which was increased to nine million before being changed to a no-bond. The loss of life caused in this incident is sad. People shouldn’t jump to conclusions about Linton’s guilt, especially since people in similar situations faced probation, and she may not even be fit to stand trial.

Nicole Linton is facing up to 90 years in prison.

At the age of sixteen, Ethan Couch killed four people, paralyzed two and injured a total of nine people while drunk, high and driving on a restricted license in Burleson, Texas. He fled the scene of the crime but was ultimately arrested and charged with manslaughter. His defense was the “Affluenza” defense, claiming Ethan was so wealthy, he couldn’t tell right from wrong. Though he was convicted, Ethan got probation. He eventually fled to Mexico, was caught and sentenced to 720 days in jail. He did some of the sentence and got out.

Although Ethan was a juvenile, he could very well have been charged as an adult. However, it’s not surprising that a teen from a wealthy family faced no true consequences for his actions. For similar actions, Nicole Linton is facing up to 90 years in prison. Already, people have judged her, and the judge has given her a no-bond. According to her lawyer, Nicole may have some mental health issues, but it doesn’t seem the court is taking this possible mitigating factor into consideration.

Linton is a traveling nurse, and many nurses work twelve-hour days. No one knows what was going on inside that car with her. She could have fallen asleep, had a jammed gas pedal or something worse. This is a time to gather the facts not hang her out to dry. Linton deserves to have her side of the story heard. If Ethan Couch can kill four people and paralyze two while high on drugs and drunk and get probation, her persecutors should be willing to hear the defense of a nurse who helps to save lives.

Linton may have a mental illness, according to court records and her attorneys. Those suffering from mental illness need compassion. They should not be prisoners; they should be patients. Nicole may not even be fit to stand trial. Stop yourself from judging her. Gather the facts first.

This article was written by Jermaine Reed, MFA, the Editor-in-Chief of The Reeders Block. He also works an Adjunct College Professor. Join the email list to get notifications on new blog posts and books. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human. Subscribe and share.