The Complicated Case of Jorge Ruiz

Published: Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 10:00 am

BNN News Summary: Alabama Man's Murder Conviction Sparks Controversy

In 2018, Jorge Ruiz, a 19-year-old Mexican immigrant, was involved in a fatal car accident in Alabama. Despite having a blood alcohol level below the legal limit, he was charged with murder, a decision that has since drawn scrutiny. The accident occurred when Ruiz crossed the center line, colliding with another vehicle and killing the driver, Marlena Hayes.

The case took an unusual turn when prosecutors pursued a murder charge, a rare occurrence in Alabama car accident fatalities, especially given Ruiz's low blood alcohol level and clean criminal record. The prosecution's offer was a "blind plea" to murder, with no guarantee of a lenient sentence. Ruiz's court-appointed attorney, Richard Lively, found the situation unprecedented in his 30 years of practice.

Ruiz was initially sentenced to 99 years in prison, a sentence longer than any other for a car crash fatality in the circuit court. The case gained further attention due to Ruiz's immigration status and the political climate in Alabama at the time, which was marked by anti-immigrant sentiment.

After an appeal, the sentence was reduced to 50 years. However, the resentencing hearing was marred by the judge's review of a "purple binder" containing letters from Hayes' family and local officials, some of which contained biased language. Ruiz's attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial, citing the improper influence of these letters. The case continues to be reviewed by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.

BNN's Perspective: This case raises serious questions about the application of justice, particularly concerning the potential influence of bias and the severity of sentencing in cases involving non-citizens. The disparity in sentencing compared to similar cases, coupled with the judge's reliance on potentially biased information, warrants further investigation.

Keywords: Jorge Ruiz, Alabama, car accident, murder charge, sentencing, immigration, bias, legal, court, appeal, sentence reduction, 99 years, 50 years, Mexican immigrant, Marlena Hayes, DUI, blood alcohol level, legal proceedings, justice system, racial bias, court case, legal counsel, prison sentence.

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