Prosecutors and defense lawyers for Bruce Duncan differ widely on punishment for the Lake civic leader who was drunk the night he crashed his truck into a motorcycle, killing its driver.
Duncan, 48, a former assistant public defender and a former director of economic development known for charitable and civic works, could be sentenced Monday to as many as 15 years in prison in the death of Herbert “Steve” Muller, 61.
In a two-page sentencing memorandum, Assistant State Attorney Sue Purdy urged Circuit Judge Michael Takac to impose a 12 1/2-year sentence and to “not be swayed” by Duncan’s civic involvement. She said state law does not permit a judge to deviate from sentencing guidelines for “those acts.”
Duncan’s attorneys, however, recommend four years in prison and 10 years of probation, according to their memorandum, which lists a long string of the lawyer’s charitable activities. Four years is the statutory minimum prison sentence that can be imposed.
I’m not saying Bruce Duncan is guilty, but everyone should be treated the same in a court of law. This is ridiculous.
