LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The man accused of hitting and killing Arbor View High School senior McKenzie Scott while under the influence was emotional in court Tuesday morning.
Keenan Jackson didn’t speak publicly, but tears ran down his face as he waited for his name to be called.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson sat in on Jackson’s status check and talked afterward about increasing penalties for driving under the influence.
“The possible penalty in these kinds of cases is insufficient,” he said. “What we’re doing right now isn’t working. We’re having too many of these cases almost every single day here in Las Vegas.”
Wolfson believes a strong deterrent is the best way to curb drunk driving.
“We have to get the message out in a strong way to try and make people think twice before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs,” he stressed. “I believe that an increase in penalty will send that message. It’ll send that message loud and clear and deter many people from engaging in the kind of behavior Mr. Jackson engaged in, which took the life of a high school student while she was going into school to get her cap and gown for graduation.”
The details of the case, which include Jackson’s blood alcohol content registering three times the legal limit, add to Wolfson’s resolve to make a change.
“That’s a lot of alcohol,” Wolfson noted. “At 11 in the morning? In a school zone or near a school? Unacceptable. And that’s why this man’s going to go to prison – for not a long enough time, I’m afraid.”
Wolfson did not say exactly what he wants the penalty to be. He said it will be up to the legislature to decide. He urged everyone to let their lawmakers know to follow up on the issue.
“Call them,” he said. “Demand action to increase penalties. I’m confident that our legislators want to do the right thing.”
Acknowledging Scott’s family, who was also present for the status check and held up a big picture of their daughter, Wolfson said he’ll keep pushing for this change.
“I don’t want McKenzie’s death and her life to have no meaning,” he said. “I want her life to have meaning moving forward.”
Jackson is due back in court May 27 for a preliminary hearing.
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