Three years after pleading guilty to felony counts of DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in 2023, former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs sought parole this spring. The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners denied Ruggs’ request on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Ruggs, whom the Raiders drafted 12th overall in 2020, killed another driver and her dog in a November 2021 car crash. While traveling at speeds up to 156 mph in his Corvette, Ruggs slammed into 23-year-old victim Tina Tintor’s car. Ruggs refused a field sobriety test, but a blood alcohol test taken within two hours registered a BAC of .161 – twice the legal limit.
“Mr. Ruggs, and our office, continue to feel the grief and loss suffered by Ms. Tintor’s family,” attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said in a statement on Thursday. They believe there is “overwhelming evidence” that Ruggs has accepted responsibility for his actions. It is unknown if they will appeal the results of the hearing.
Ruggs, who is serving a three- to 10-year prison sentence, was moved from a low-security facility to a a medium-security facility in December. When Vanessa Murphy of KLAS 8 News Now reached out to the Nevada Department of Corrections for the reason, a spokesperson wrote in an email: “We can’t disclose specific information on offender. However, in general, an offender who commits infractions while at a lower-level custody, depending on the nature and severity, they could be reverted back to a higher level of custody.”
Ruggs’ next parole board hearing will occur three months before his Aug. 27, 2027, mandatory parole release date, executive director of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners Kathi Baker told the AP.
Ruggs played 20 games with the Raiders, who cut him shortly after his arrest. The 27-year-old has shown interest in returning to the NFL, but that looks even less likely in the wake of the parole board’s decision on Thursday.
He already received a weak sentence as is. This murderer should stay behind bars for the max
He didn’t intentionally kill anyone, that’s what murder is
Don’t get me wrong being so drunk to where you get in a car and kill someone deserves prison time, but getting drunk doesnt deserve the death penalty
He didn’t say anything about the death penalty. This is performative compassion.
He might be able to get his college eligibility reinstated.
What did he expect? Three years for killing someone? Hopefully he stays there until he’s to old to walk, much less run. What does he think, he’s just going to come out and pick up where he left off? Brother, you’ve ruined your life because you did something stupid. I would hope NO NFL team would sign this genius to do anything except clean up uniforms and mop the locker room floors. This ain’t a video game, it’s real life and you have to pay for your stupidity. Live with it
Does anyone actually think Ruggs’ expectations matter? Like what does that even mean?! Bad choices and intentions aren’t the same thing. I think we all hope no NFL team would sign him. You’re not saying anything interesting while yelling at anyone who thinks this isn’t black and white. What is the point of your comment?
I hate how any discussion about this situation isn’t allowed to include nuance. All I can say is if Ruggs is truly rehabilitated than this is adding more injustice to the world. I don’t understand how anyone can feel that’s the right outcome.
Grow up. Get some perspective in your life. I hope what he did never happens to any of your loved ones.
Legitimately awful thing to wish on somebody who has the audacity to have an opinion different than yours. You act like I’m advocating for his choices.
“Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.” Adam Smith. You have a complete and utter misunderstanding of what justice is. Rehabilitation , while important , is the least important part of justice.
Rehabilitation and mercy aren’t the same thing but go off with your lack of nuance and misunderstanding while insisting I’m the one confused. That’s useful.
Punishment doesn’t end when you’re rehabilitated
You thinking 3 years is enough time to “rehab” after a life was taken is scary. He shouldn’t ever get out, but will because there’s enough crazy people like you that don’t think actions should have real consequences and will riot about justice happening.
It’s actually not that easy to get moved up the security spectrum in prison. Usually, the state wants to move inmates down the spectrum because the cost of incarceration goes down at lower security levels. He must have committed a fairly serious infraction or series of infractions to get moved from low to medium. That alone probably tanked any chance he had at parole. In spite of his lawyers’ statements to the contrary, it appears there is overwhelming evidence he has not learned his lesson.
Looks like Henry better find someone besides Josh Jacobs to vouch for his exemplary character 🙂