22.19%	Yes
76.4%	No

Comment: He should have gotten much more, 2 people were killed, they got more than 3 and 1/2 years. from Portland / Maine by Brian

Comment: two people died - he should have received maximum sentence - 2 five year with maybe 3 suspended. He was arrogant, lied, and has never accepted any responsibility for his actions. from Naples by Jane

Comment: The other boat had no lights on. I think the hold some of the blame. from Poland by Conrad

Comment: NOT AT ALL.... AS A CAREER MAINE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, WE IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY ARE SEEING WAY TOO MANY "UNJUST" SENTENCES BEING HANDED DOWN AS WELL AS SOLID CASES NOT BEING PROSECUTED from WATERBORO by DAVE

Comment: No, the jury didn't do their job. He should have been sent to jail for manslaughter. 3.5 years is a slap in the face of the families. from poland by cindy

Comment: i feel that he dose not need to go to jail ............he will live with it for the rest of his life .i feel sorry for the people that died ,but putting him in jail will not bring them back!!!!!!!!!!! by jon

Comment: No, I think it was a stiff for someone who was not out looking to kill someone on that summer night. I was in court in South Paris last month when a man was givin thirty days for molesting his five year old niece, whats wrong with this picture. by Peter

Comment: NO!!I think it's time we send a strong massage that the public will NOT tolerate drinking and driving weather it's on the streets or water.I hope he thinks about the pain that he has coused.what if the table was turned?what type of punishment would his family want to see?I just pry for everone envoled. by Michael

Comment: Not even close. The laws provide stiffer penalties for robbery than taking a human life. What's wrong with this picture? from Portland by Rob

Comment: No. 15 years would be proper. He should be retried for manslaughter in addition to hos current conviction. by Miriam

Comment: The people who died did not have a ny loghts on the boat, which made them nearly impossible to see. It is not only the man who crashed into the boats fault. from OOB, ME by Mike

Comment: Negligence was the crime and he should have been sentanced for it even more harsly because of his smug nature and lack of remorse. from Bridgton, ME

Comment: I think he should have received the full 5 year prison sentence. He seems to have no remorse for killing two people and for this reason I believed he deserved to receive the full sentence from Naples, Maine by Barbara

Comment: i dont feel it was 100% his fault since to other boat had no lights on it which means they broke the law also from Westbrook by Kevin

Comment: Yes, I believe he will have to live with his actions for the rest of his life. His prison term will simply serve as a reminder that he is a convicted criminal. My prayers to the families that lost their loved ones in this tragic, and preventable act of recklessness. from S. China by Vickie

Comment: He was clearly responsible for the loss of two lives. How can any of those jurors doubt it. If you take him off that boat that night, or even take that boat off the water that night, the two victims are still alive. He did that. Wanna bet that in three+ years he's off boating again and recklessly again? from Lewiston, ME by Jim

Comment: Looks to me that you can be drunk, kill or injure people and you get off with less time than a bank robber.....they need to have tougher drunk driving laws....3 and 1/2 years for murder is just a slap on the wrist. from Portland by Christine

Comment: It is outrageous to think that a person can kill 2 other people and serve 1.75 years/person. How much further can we cheapen the value of a person's life. This certainly does not send the "Crime doesn't pay" message to our youth. from Brunswick, ME by Ken

Comment: I do think that Mr LaPointe got off easy, however I was disgusted by the family who taunted him as he rode away on the bus outside of the courthouse. The family had their say in the courtroom, they way they reacted after the case lacked class. by Brandy

Comment: Why doesnt he spend his 3 1/2 years in a prison in Mass? from Auburn, Me by S

Comment: He killed 2 people he deserves at least 10+ years . I can't believe that he got away with such a menial sentence. He acted like he could care less that he took 2 peoples lives.Hopefully he will get what he really deserves in life some day. from Scarborough, Maine by Deb

Comment: He should have to serve the full 5 years and not a day less. from Clermont, Fl by Philip

Comment: BOTH BOATERS WERE AT FAULT PROBATION WOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT. from GREENE by MIKE

Comment: No. I've watched this case unfold and I believe this accident occured due to the victim's neglegence in operating a watercraft with no operational lights at night. No one would be dead or going to jail if the boat's lights were on like they should have been. from Berlin NH by Mark

Comment: This idiot get's 1 3/4 years per human life? Stephanie demands more time from suspended operators for christ's sake. from Bridgton, Maine by Robert

Comment: Robert LaPointe's negligence caused two deaths. A 3 1/2 year sentence is too lenient for the cost of two lives, especially when LaPointe showed no contrition during his trial. from Portland, ME by Liz

Comment: It's hard to fathom that he could recklessly kill two people, show no remorse, and spend such a short time being punished. What will he learn from the tragedy he caused? Probably nothing...he gets to go on living. How is that justice? from Waterford, ME by Sally

Comment: I think that two wrongs don't make a right. First he was wrong for going so fast at night, but the other boat was wrong by not having any lights on. Either way, whether he was drinking or not, it was an accident. He did not intentionally drive his boat into those two for something to do. Is the sentence long enough.. who really knows, but I do know that he will suffer with this for the rest of his life. I believe that those 3.5 years that he will spend in prison will feel like a life time to him... does that bring back the two that perished... no... but what really will at this point... Like I said, I think it was a horiffic accident and both parties were at the wrong place at the wrong time. God bless all involved. from Naples by Rachel

Comment: The State of Maine judical system is a joke. This just says "Take a chance with drinking and driving anything, you'll get off if you kill someone." He should have more than 3 1/2 years. The judge has that control and yet gave him really nothing to think about. Should have taken his license for life to drive anything. Made him to go to AA and do community service on top of 8 years and 2 years probation. But, the judges in this state let people who commit the crimes get off while the victums suffer with the crime that was commited. from Windham by C

Comment: He should have gotten way more then what he received! from Buxton, Maine by Laurie

Comment: how ironic that the name of his boat is "No Patience"..he should feel lucky the jury deadlocked and he isn't in prison for at least twice the time he got. from Raymond by D.

Comment: He hit a boat driven by an intoxicated person with no lights.It was shared stupidity. from Gorham by Mark

Comment: 3 1/2 years?? No justice was not served. That's hardly punishment for taking 2 lives. from Oxford, Me by Pam

Comment: wow.unbelieveable........take two lives and get three years......... from cumberland,maine by sharon

Comment: Not in the least. its unfortuate for the familes of the two victims that he got the jurors he did. Our justics system is very flawed. he needs to be held accountable for his actions. after all his decisions led to the untimely death of two people. from Eliot Maine by A

Comment: I find it hard to believe that someone who is found guilty of aggrevated OUI, was not also found guilty at the very least of wreckless conduct at the same time. It seems to me the two charges would go hand in hand. This man was so wreckless and irresponsible and still only gets a slap on the wrist! The even sadder part is he still doesn't get it. He still thinks he wasn't in the wrong and two people died..........and two families suffer. I think after this verdict, the state needs to take down the signs posted on the roadways into this state that state "Maine has Tough drinking and driving laws". It' a joke from Standish by Theresa

Comment: Not even close. LaPointe has a well documented and well publicized disregard for the law. 20 plus speeding tickets..why does this man even have a drivers license? My thoughts go out to the victims families, and for LaPointe, I hope the next 3 and a half years go on forever. from Kennebunkport by Bud

Comment: This fella has to live with what happened the rest of his life. The other boat had no lights on which is foolish on a busy lake like Long lake. We are too quick to throw rocks in a glass house, all of us have had a couple beers while out in the boat..... Those who have not, have not lived.... from Harrison by Cliff

Comment: the whole situation is tragic.every one involved loses something loved or as a person.life happens and unfortunate events occur as we all go about life,living,and existing.the stars definetly lined up wrong in this event.remember-some things are un controllable if not un-seeable.our decisions have consequences.though we are all human-and capable of mistakes with far reaching unthinkable consequences .no matter how many years mr lapointe serves will not change anything.accountability is definetely called for.will it be enough for any of them when they look in the mirror?im so sorry for all of them. from portland by bethani

Comment: I cannot understand how the jury could have been deadlocked on the manslaughter charges; drunk, speeding, negligent-- kills 2 people-- that is manslaughter in my book. He deserved a much longer sentence. by Wilma

Comment: People serve more time in jail for animal abuse than this man will serve for causing the deaths of two people. It's truly sickening! from Casco by Shannon

Comment: This mans reckless behavior took the lives of others and 3 1/2 years is a very small price to pay for a life from Portland by Jeff

Comment: The court system determined this was the appropriate sentence. Therefore, justice was served. It may not be perfect, but it is the best system we have at this time. from South Portland by Patti

Comment: The sentence was handed down to 'send a message'. While operating a vehicle under the influence was wrong, he hit a boat that was illegally operating without running lights. A sober operator might very well have inadvertantly done the same thing. It was a tragic accident...but not deserving of such a sentence. from Auburn, ME by Scott

Comment: 18 months for each soul that was taken. 547 days for each parent,son,daughter,brother,sister and friend that no longer can hear I Love You. C'mon people lets pop open another beer and destroy some more lives. Stephanie (Anderson) please try for the elevated charges. For those of us it matters to. by Tony

Comment: Manslaughter, the only clear choice, another drunken part-time Mainer killing good people. 25 to Life, Wake up people from standish by frank

Comment: He was tried by a jury of his peers and sentenced by them. Justice was served. If people do not like the verdict they should work to change the laws. from portland, Maine by Jill

Comment: He was drunk yes, and he is going to pay for that. The loss of these two people is very unfortunate, and quite sad, but there were no lights on that boat it could have happened to anyone out there that night. I was a very very sad accident. from Brunswick, Me by TR

Comment: Having used a boat quite a lot at night I believe the fact that the other boat was not running lights is irrelevant. You cannot run a boat at night at high speeds because there is a lot of other things to watch out for both on and in the water. His actions were irresponsible and he should pay for it. from Portland by Roy

Comment: He hit a black boat with a black motor with no lights. If the other boat had proper lighting this probably never would have happened. But he was drinking so it seems fair. And how do people know he is not remorseful. His lawyer did not want him to speak so we do not know how he feels - unless your name is God. And those who know Jesus have the ability to forgive - but most do not know Jesus so they will hold a grudge and make themselves miserable. from Lewiston, Maine by Mike

Comment: He should have been re-tried after manslaughter deadlock.This has been a horrible mis-carriage of justice. from South Portland,Maine by Zoo

Comment: We take the victim as they are, with no lights on supposedly (doesn't matter when the person that hit them was DRUNK)....however...we take the defendant who was intoxicated. As a society we need to be held accountable for the irresponsible actions we make. When WE make the choice to DRINK THEN DRIVE, WE accept responsibility for the outcome. Some may be lucky and realize the next day that they did something stupid that could have cost them much more, others get caught (thankfully by an officer for driving sloppy), and FEW kill others by their lack of responsible planning...and those are the ones that by law will pay the untimate price, as they should...they chose to drink...they chose to drive....and they knew it could kill......Seriously people..You tell your kid no, the harm it can cause, they do it anyway...don't you punnish to teach? Only we are talking an adult...one that should have known...an older adult....Yeah, he didn't mean to...nor did any DRUNK! That's the problem! YOU drink, YOU drive, YOU KILL, YOU pay the consequence. I feel like our society is slipping away from self responsibility! Don't we still teach our children that there are rules, and if they break them, there is a consequence for their actions? YOU DRINK, YOU DRIVE, YOU KILL, YOU PAY THE PRICE.....If you don't want to pay the price...Don't drink and drive...it's so SIMPLE from OOB by Julie

Comment: Hell No! He took two lives. Even if the other boat didn't have it's lights on, he still should of had control of his own boat enough to be able to see them. from NH by Cathy

Comment: I think he got a slap on the wrist. He should have been tried for the other charges as well. from Lewiston Maine

Comment: Absolutely NO! If it had been someone who couldn't afford to pay what he did for lawyers, it would have been manslaughter at the very least. I hope the DA retries the case. I agree with a previous writer that Maine "tough" drunk driving laws aren't! Look at the sentences handed down in district courts for OUI and driving to endanger (which is copped down from OUI). Almost always a hefty fine and license revocation which will cost more $$ to get license re-instated. Methinks the state is more interested in making $$ than getting drunk drivers off the road (or in this case, the lakes). from No. Bridgton by Beelz

Comment: What was his occupation, as it seems as though he has some politics going for him? The original report stated he went into the woods 100 yds, after running over the two people in the other boat, which would definitely indicate excessive speed. How could he not know he was that close to shore. This indicates impaired judgment due to alcohol, drugs or insanity. He seems to have a psychosis, shown by his lack of remorse. The system is hiding something that perhaps a civil suite will bring out. from W. Farmington by R. J.

Comment: His life is forever changed no matter the jail time. Sooner or later he will have to face the gravity of his terribly poor judgement and live with it. from Kennebunkport by Larry

Comment: two people are dead ,and he could care less. whats 3 years and a couple on parole, he should never be awollowed to own another boat bigger than a 3 hp, and not to be registered in maine or have a fishing and hunting lisence in maine.Millions have loss they own houses to forcloser, he should loss his for payment of wrong-full death and to be paid to the state. from Standish, Me. by JR

Comment: My heart bleeds for the families, my heart bleeds for the solders in Iraque. My heart bleeds for the 90 year old man that kills 5 in an automobile accedet. Roberst accedent was not done intencial, Roberts is not the only person to pay, his familey, buseinss and personal sucesses are now gone because he made one monumental mistake. I dont think that is american, Its tought enough to survive in this world, it was a terriable accident, He should be on Probation for the rest of his life. Dont take his life. from Raymond by Stephen

Comment: It was an accident!! I think the victoms families were both rude and pathetic. What would happen if the tables were turned, how would they feel if someone screamed inappropriate comments to there family member. from Bath by Dianne

Comment: Wow, the justice system really dropped the ball on this one; it certainly seems like this is only a slap on the wrist for taking the lives of 2 other people. from Westbrook, ME by Daniel

Comment: No, justice was not served. Not only should he have gone to prison for 20 years, he also should have been told he can never operate a motor vehicle of any kind for life! Three years in jail is two lenient. He'll get out, then do the same thing to somebody else. from Bridgeport, Connecticut by Eric

Comment: Absolutely Not!! Two innocent people lost their lives to a drunk tourist who obviously has no care or respect for human life!! 3 1/2 years is nothing, but an insult to the victims and their families!! from Augusta, Maine by John

Comment: if he was drinking then i believe he made a conscience choice to endanger himself and others. it's as good as premeditated as far as i am concerned by chris

Comment: What a shame that our judicial system has failed to justly try this case. Mr Lapoint's history clearly demonstrates his disregard for himself and society. from Saco, Maine by Diane

Comment: Yes, justice was served. Both parties played a part in this horrible accident. I think Mr. LaPointe should have addressed the victims family, and friends during sentencing. from Bath by David

Comment: License suspended 12 times? 22 speeding tickets? I fail to understand how the jury didn't find him guilty of manslaughter. It's a shame that his sentence wasn't harsher. from Winthrop, ME by Molle

Comment: In this state you can get away wil murder,if he hit a loon with his boat, or a moose when his boat flew into the woods, he would serving a much longer sentence, this state gives wildlife priority over it's people. from Sebago by Rob

Comment: I think that 3.5 years in prison was much to stiff. When you drink and drive and get behind the wheel of a car u made a choice. God forbib you take a life but if you do then hopefully you will be held to the fullest extent of the law, however he was NOT convicted of taking a life he was convicted of doing what 80% of boaters do. Why would you be on a lake with NO lights on in your boat??? Y arent we giving repeat oui offenders stiff sentences??? from Scarborough by Tonya

Comment: I was unaware of all the prior convictions. He needs the book thrown at him,at least 10 years, from Portland, ME by David

Comment: This is a miscarriage of justice. If Stephanie Anderson chooses not to retry LaPointe perhaps she should spearhead changing the laws so this never happens again. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims. from Yarmouth by Eleanor

Comment: No way ! It should have been at least that x2 thats not justice thats a slap on the wrist! some people who just drive OUI loose there licence longer than that! from Norway Maine by Deena

Comment: he just got a slap on the hand and told not to it again.he should be serving life cause he took the lifes of two people.. from Sabattus by crystal

Comment: Absolutely not! Mr. Lapointe needs to be retried for manslaughter, and should be serving 30 years, not 3.5. from Portland, ME by Gordon

Comment: I don't believe that justice was served at all in this case. He made a CHOICE to drink and drive that boat, those 2 people not not get that chance to make a choice about their lives. He should have found guilty of murder! from Windham,ME by Lisa

Comment: 2 peoples lives are only worth 3 1/2 years. What would he have gotten had he not been drunk??? 1yr of probation. If i were the family of the deceased i would make a lot of noise in Augusta. Maybe they can find someone up there that will listen and change things. The samething has happened to the family in Berwick when someone ran over there mother and dogs. Good luck from Springvale by Brian

Comment: I think he should have gotten more time. He killed two people and was under the influence. Also he showed no remorse. I am glad he will spend some time in jail. from Turner by Laurie

Comment: NO, justice was not served at all. Everyone is saying the other boat didn't have lights yet one article said the wardens say the light switch was in the "on" position when the boat was found. Whether the lights were on or off, that is no reason to have such a large boat on a small lake and act so unresponsible while under the influence. People could have been out there swimming. Are they supposed to wear lights on their heads???? This man was drunk, and he's getting almost away with a double homicide. There is no justice in the system anymore. The criminal always wins, not the victim. Look at the case in No. Berwick where the guy hit and run a lady and she died and all he's being charged with is leaving the scene of an accident. Where is the justice in this State????? from Dayton by Pat

Comment: yes I think justice was served but I think he should of got a longer sentenced for wha he did from Biddeford Maine by Irene

Comment: THis is a slap on the wrist. He KILLED two people and will be in jail for only a few years. There are non-violent drug offenders serving more time than that. This guy showed no remorse, no apologies and only worked to wiggle his way out of it. THe lives of the people who were murdered are gone forever ... his starts back up in 3 1/2 years. PATHETIC. THere should be mandatory minimum sentences for murderers. Hopefully he'll have a 400 pound cell mate named Bubba. from OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE by Wendell

Comment: 3 1/2 years is nothing for taking two peoples lives. I don't think the jury did their job. I don't get it... if he was convicted on drunk driving charges... then why was he not also guilty of manslaughter for killing two people while he was driving impaired. If someone is walking on the side of the road in dark clothes and a drunk driver hits them... the driver would be charged with oui and manslaughter for killing the pedestrian and would get a good amount of jail time for it. but because this guy was in a boat instead of a car he gets oui only and 3/12 years... He didn't just kill one person, he killed two. What kind of example are we setting.. don't drink and drive a car and kill someone cause you'll go to jail for a long time... but if you want to drink and drive a boat drunk and kill someone... knock yourself out... all you'll get is a year or so and its no big deal. Does this idiot still end up keeping his regular drivers license too so is he now able to drunk drive his car and try to kill someone else? from Standish ,Maine by Susan

Comment: No, I certainly do not! The media made this trial a witch hunt from the beginning, just because LaPointe had a fast boat, and the victim was portrayed as "poor and helpless". While this accident is a tragedy resulting in two deaths, we should not forget the deceased were also known to be OUI, and operating without lights at night! Where is the accountability from operator of the 14' motorboat? Is he exempt because he didn't survive? Would you all still want to convict LaPointe of something if he were stone sober? from Windham by Daniel

Comment: HOPEFULLY HE WILL SERVE THE ENTIRE TIME AND NOT BE RELEASED IN 6 MONTHS FOR GOOD BEHAVIER. from E. BALDWIN, ME by BILL

Comment: There seems to be a double standard when we as a State can prosecute a person from out of state for an accident on the water where someone is rundown when we cannot prosecute a person from Maine for running down someone on the roadway and leaving the scene, as happened in Berwick just this past year. It seems like the State wanted to make an example of this out of state resident by throwing all its weight into the investigation and did not into the investigation of the running down of Debbie Archer. Mr. Lapoint's charges were more severe than the person who was eventually caught after hiding, with help, from the investigation of the Berwick motor vehicle accident. One has to ask, "why?". Mr. Lapointe, who did not flee, got the punishment he deserved and rightly so. The State prosecution should apply the same attitude and perseverence in the prosecution of the killer of Debbie Archer. from Sanford by Steven

Comment: LaPoints incredible history of violations on the roads and his complete lack of remorse for everything shows clearly his utter arrogance. Clearly he is a legend in his own mind and thinks that rules dont apply to him. He deserves every last minute of jail time he got. If not for a couple of bleeding heart Liberal jurors in his trial, he would have gotten 10 years or more. Good ridence to him for the next few years. The roads (and lakes) are a safer place today. from Westbrook, Maine by John

Comment: LaPoints incredible history of violations on the roads and his complete lack of remorse for everything shows clearly his utter arrogance. Clearly he is a legend in his own mind and thinks that rules dont apply to him. He deserves every last minute of jail time he got. If not for a couple of bleeding heart Liberal jurors in his trial, he would have gotten 10 years or more. Good ridence to him for the next few years. The roads (and lakes) are a safer place today. from Westbrook, Maine by John

Comment: I do not think justice was served because he killed 2 people and he is going to walk away with a slap on the hand. I think that just because the other boat didnt have lights doesnt meant that Lapointe should have been speeding like he was and drinking. It is more his fault than the others that lost their life. from Topsham by E

Comment: At first I thought, there'd be a stiff punishment, but the lack of lights on the other boat was really the cause of everything. It's too bad, but accidents happen. I feel sorry for all of them. from Alfred by Rachel

Comment: In a vehicle, this would have been vehicular manslaughter at the very least. This sentence is a slap in the faces of the victims' families because it is way too lenient for the pain that it caused. Shame on the justice (?) system! from Bath by Alice

Comment: Nothing will replace the lives of the 2 persons killed. He has to live with that for the rest of his life. by Terry

Comment: sentence should have been higher. two people lost their lives from southportland by alice

Comment: It's really sad when you can get a longer sentence foe a lesser crime! The Victims Families lost there loved ones and what did robert lose HIS NEW BOAT and three years in prison COME ON PEOPLE! from Raymond Maine by Kara

Comment: Is that all 2 ppls lives are worth nowadays? from Augusta by Rob

Comment: NO,JUSTICE WAS NOT SERVED RIGHT. HE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A LONGER SENTENCE . THATS LIKE A SLAP ON THE HAND , AND SAY ITS OKAY AND ITS NOT. from SPRINGVALE ME by ELIZABETH

Comment: If you get drunk and kill people. even by accident. you should automatically be charged with premeditated murder. from Rumford, Maine by Amy

Comment: NO - Though there were many wrongs in this tragic event by both parties involved - however justice was not served - where is the balance of justice when two people lost their lives and another gets his freedom taken away for only a 3 1/2 year speck of time. Especially with the arrogance of no remorse, and total negligence. Even the name of the boat "NO Patience" shows an arrogance - maybe after time served he will understand remorse enough to call his next boat "patience" from Jay by Mark

Comment: My family uses our boat reguarly on many of Maine's Lakes and we have seen some very irresponsible people on the Lakes. People that find a beach drink all day and then at sun down drive thier boats home. Towing people without spotters, He deserves what he got and should had gotten more. Thier is no excuse at all for Excessive speed either in a boat or a car as well as drinking while doing either one. from North Waterboro by Crystal

Comment: he only got a long sentence because of where he lives look at the sentences handed down for oui deaths nothing compared to his.. maine courts are kagaroo courts have been for a long long time and there is no relife from the stooges that run them from tampa fl by chris

Comment: It was an accident, what were the two doing sitting there with no lighs on from Buckfield, Maine by A

Comment: He killed 2 people,never should have been going that fast.His record shows he has no respect of any law anywhere. from Casco by Linda

Comment: It was totally preventable by not operating drunk. He has shown no remorse for what he has done. His sentence should have been much longer. from Bath, Maine by Arthur

Comment: Wow! Sure are alot of Judges responding to this! If someone sober, going slow hit the boat without lights...had a member of their boating party fall out and drown...the unlit boater would be liable. He only hurt himself and partner this time...there's your liability. from Scarborough by Chuck

Comment: Why do you keep asking the public these questions? There was a judge, a jury of peers and a fair trial (whether you -- Channel 13 --believe there was or not). How many times do we need to ask you to REPORT THE NEWS -- DON'T TRY TO MAKE IT!!! from Durham, Maine by Mitch

Comment: I think the fault lies equally between both boats. He shouldn't have been driving wrecklessly, and the other boat should have cared if they were seen by using lights as anyone else would do. They are both at fault here........ by Lynn

Comment: Absolutly not. What does this say about our judicial system? A man can take 2 lives forever and only pay 3 1/2 years for it. On top of that he is so cold to not even try to appologize for what he has done. Believe me these 2 families will have to live with this for the rest of their lives also. from Berwick ME 03901 by Cheryl

Comment: It's very possible and likely that had he not had anything to drink the accident would have occurred. People like to jump on the easy out rather than face the facts A:accidents happen and B: some times the injured are to blame for their own injuries. from Newport by Marc

Comment: 3.5 years for taking 2 lives. This is a joke. by Nancy

Comment: I was under the impression the deceased were close to their dock in a small boat. I guess my understanding was had Lapointe not hit their boat he would have taken whatever was in his path.. as he was intoxicated. It could have been a rowboat under 18' full of children with a flashlight. If he was driving to endanger in a car, he would have received manslaughter charges. There is no excuse for driving drunk. His charges should have been manslaughter. from Harpswell, Maine by Rose

Comment: This is a hard case. I beleive both boaters were at fault. Robert should not have been intoxicated while behind the wheel of a boat and should not have been going that fast on a lake- period. But, the other boaters should have had lights on!!!!!Unfortunatley 2 lives have been taken in this case, but I believe that if the lights were on, this would not have happened. Just think how many people are intoxicated behind the wheel. That is what Robert should have been charged with in this case. from Brunswick, Maine by Kim

Comment: The max for each count is 5 years. He should be serving 7 to 8 years for the two counts. For me, he got off to easy. from Mane by James

Comment: My sympathies go out to the family of the victims. Yes, he is guilty of operating under the influence and he has been given a punishment for that (which in this case is appropriate as I do not believe he has any prior OUI/DWI's). The operator of the boat didn't have a light on so I don't feel he is at fault for hitting them. If he was driving in a "reckless" manner as the article states the State could have added a charge of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon...perhaps this is where justice could have been served more appropriately and the victims of the family may feel he is being held accountable for his actions. from Alfred by C

Comment: several reasons: he was drunk,that is illegel to drive a vehicle/boat, he was traveling too fast which is bad at night plus even though the ones he killed had their light off...if Lapointe was driving soba and slow - he would of seen them! He should of got the maximum. You get a bigger sentence for thiefery! from Dresden by Carolyn

Comment: Because he showed no remorse. The judge should of giving him the maximum sentence from Peru by Bernie

Comment: He was sentenced for Aggrevated O.U.I. and the sentence is fair. Let's remember that the boat he struck had no anchor lights. from Central Maine by Joe

Comment: Given that the other boat did not have lights on, I feel the sentence is enough. He has to live with it for the rest of his life. P.S. I agree with Peter...30 days for molesting his 5 year niece? For sure, what is wrong with this picture? from Arundel by Miss P.

Comment: No I think he should be sentence for 30-40yrs. He had a role in the death of 2 people. from Brunswick Maine by James

Comment: absoultly not.should of been for 10 years, 5 years max for both is bogus from sebago by jason

Comment: I think that our justice system is getting more and more leanient. What would the sentence have been had he not killed 2 people? Probably pretty close to what he got. from Standish by Dee

Comment: I do not understand why Judge Crowley did not impose the maximum 5 year sentence. LaPointe deserved much more. from Portland ME by Woody

Comment: I believe for the most part 'justice' is as dead as chivalry. by T

Comment: to take someones life... and only get 3 1/2 years is not right.... from china by joe

Comment: Yes, I do feel that he received too many years for this. As this was an accident and other drunk drivers in Maine receive a slap on the wrist. from Camarillo, CA by J

Comment: I do think that Justice was served Robert did somthing bad He deserves to go to jail for what he did. from Maine by sophie

Comment: 3 and 1/2 years is just not enough time for killing two innocent people that dreadful evening. Not for someone who did not want to take responsibility nor the showing of any remorse for his actions. from Windham by Joanne

Comment: An eye for an eye!! from Standish by Will

Comment: He should have gotten the maximum. Another drunk operating a boat at ridiculous speeds. At least he is not behind the wheel of a boat or anything else... for now. from Naples, Maine by John

Comment: Absolutely not! I do believe he should have gotten the full sentence, I mean seriously he was drunk and crashed into and killed 2 innocent people. He'll get out in 3 years and laugh in our faces. from Biddeford by Renee

Comment: He was tried and found guilty in a Court of Law ,CASE CLOSED from Avon,Me by Randall

Comment: I believe both parties were equally responsible for the accident. Alcohol and speed were a factor on one side, but the other boat had its lights off which was also unsafe. It was an unfortunate accident in which people died. from Windham ME by Sharon

Comment: we say Maine is tough on drunk driving, 2 people dead, LaPointe got off easy. shame on us. from casco by russ

Comment: People who do burglary get more of a sentance then this man who lied about being drunk and killed two people gets. This is a disgrace to the maine judical courts. from Raymond by Pam

Comment: We must remember the basics of boating safety; all vessels must display navigation lights, sunset to sunrise. Yes Mr. LaPointe had been drinking, but there is no way to guarantee this situation wouldn't have happened with a sober driver. Boating safety regulations save lives. from Gardiner, Me by EJ

Comment: Why don't we ask those who were killed in the accident? from Old Orchard Beach by Ryan

Comment: He killed two people because his was drunk and speeding! That sentence he got is way to less! from Westbrook by Thomas