Too Handsome for Jail?

 Cameron Herrin, an 18-year-old from Tampa, Florida, was on his way to the gym on May 23, 2018. Herrin was driving a Ford Mustang that he had received two days prior for his high school graduation, while his companion, John Barrineau, was driving a gold Nissan. The two automobiles came to a complete stop at a traffic light before rushing away, as if racing on Bayshore Boulevard.

When the two vehicles approached, Jessica Reisinger-Raubenolt, who was pushing her one-year-old daughter Lilia in a stroller, was ready to cross the street. Barrineau swerved aside, but Herrin collided with Reisinger-Raubenolt and her child, killing them both. Herrin, who had a history of speeding, was travelling at 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour) right before the accident.

Reisinger-widower, Raubenol's David Raubenolt, testified in court for about an hour in April 2021. He mentioned his wife's generosity in his testimony. When Reisinger-daughter Raubenolt's began to weep on an airplane, he would hand out apologetic notes to the passengers. “You must comprehend that you've brought everlasting anguish and depths of sorrow,” he stated in a devastating statement. His daughter's death had a profound effect on him, and he would become apprehensive everytime he entered her room.

Herrin, now 21 years old, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the fatal crash after hours of testimony was given to Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher. As sheriff's officials placed Herrin in handcuffs following the sentencing, members of Herrin's family began to cry. After reaching an agreement with the state, Barrineau was sentenced to six years in jail. After serving his sentence, he will be on probation for 15 years and must do 200 hours of community service.

Attention on the Internet

On July 10, 2021, the hashtag "Cameron Herrin" trended on Twitter in Pakistan, drawing attention to Herrin's case. Many internet users defended Herrin, ostensibly because of his good looks. Some commenters believed Herrin deserved a second opportunity and that the penalty was overly harsh. Twitter users established the hashtag "JusticeForCameron" to bring attention to Herrin's situation.

Other social media outlets, such as TikTok, picked up on Herrin's issue. Herrin's supporters set Twitter accounts like "@cameronherrin support" and "@cameronherrin_" to show their support.

Herrin's Tiktok video went viral, receiving 18.1 million views and 1.6 million likes.

Internet people from all across the world expressed their mixed feelings about Herrin's sentence. A petition in support of Herrin was also started, and over 17,000 people have signed it so far to demonstrate their support.

Aftermath

Herrin's family has filed a legal challenge against his sentence. Herrin, despite his age at the time of the crime, was tried as an adult rather than a juvenile criminal. They have yet to receive a response from the court.

Since the event, the city of Tampa has added additional safety elements and reduced the speed limit on the avenue where the accident occurred. “If she knew our purpose was to make these streets safer, being the humble person that she was, she would embrace her sacrifice and be glad for it,” Raubenolt said after the sentencing in honor of his late wife.