Judge stuns court with ultra-light sentence for speeder who killed boy, 17, as victim’s dad brands punishment ‘trash’ and defense attorney says he can’t believe how lenient it was
A Las Vegas judge sentenced Jesus Barraza to probation rather than jail after he was convicted of reckless driving resulting in the death of 17-year-old Devin Heath. The decision prompted anger from Heath’s father, who called it “trash”, and surprise from Barraza’s defence lawyer, highlighting a dispute over whether the punishment reflected the seriousness of the fatal crash.
Heath was struck and killed in March 2024 near Las Vegas High School. Prosecutors said vehicle data showed Barraza’s truck travelling about 73mph in a 30mph zone, while witnesses reported that he had been racing another vehicle; prosecutors had sought a prison term of 28 to 72 months.
- Driver who killed teenager receives probation, not prison.
- Victim’s father condemns sentence as inadequate.
- Crash involved alleged racing at 73mph in a 30mph zone.