$1 Million Bond In Beecher Tragedy Divides Readers

JOLIET, IL - On Friday, lawyers will argue over an appropriate bond for Sean Woulfe, the 25-year-old former Manteno resident being charged with 16 counts of reckless homicide. Woulfe was charged this week in connection with the July 24 Beecher tragedy that killed Lindsey Schmidt, her unborn child, and her young sons, who were all inside her vehicle. Woulfe, prosecutors say, was traveling at least 20 mph over the 55 mph speed limit when he blew through the stop sign in Beecher, killing everyone in the Schmidt vehicle.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow contends that a $1 million bond is appropriate. The criminal defense attorney hired to represent Woulfe disagrees.

Meanwhile, there's been a flood of social media comments from Joliet Patch readers concerning the issue of Woulfe's $1 million. The reaction's been divided.

Jennifer Magana: "He's not a danger to society. This is so sad but a horrible accident. He doesn't have priors. I'm sure he's living enough hell. We have all made driving mistakes. We were just lucky."

Carolyn Kern Callahan: "Speeding and running stop signs are choices ... Let him stew and rot. He deserves it for taking 4 lives. This is not a slap on the wrist and you go free case. That father and husband had his life changed over this guys stupidity. Keep him in jail where he belongs."

Mary Casey Goldberg Youngren: "Yes this kid made a fatal mistake but he didn't wake up and set out to kill an entire family. Although this is tragic and heartbreaking I think if he was sober and has no other violations for reckless driving lower it. He also has to live with this the rest of his life."

Elizabeth A. Herrington Riley: "He was SPEEDING .. I vote NO to lower bond. What happened was entirely avoidable if HE had been obeying traffic laws!!!!! HOW can anyone call this just a tragic accident??? ... He knew he was speeding way in excess of the posted speed limit and as a distracted driver blew thru a stop sign. Tragic for ALL involved. The husband who lost his whole family, for the Woulfe family dealing with this, but I still stand by NO to lowering bond."

Kristina Scofield: "I do not know either family. We all have friends or family members that have made poor decisions. It does not turn them into scum. No one here is perfect. Some people act like they're saints. Good grief! No one will win here no matter what his outcome is."

Ashley Apostle: Taking the lives of 4 people is not a mistake. It's not something you get to apologize for and move on from. He deserves to be held accountable to the max degree. It doesn't matter if it's his first offense. He made the choice to speed that day. He made the choice to run through a stop sign. Those babies and their mother did not make the choice to die. He made it all for them."

Tawny Tyk: "We've all made mistakes.. I'm not saying he shouldn't have consequences.. But he's not a danger to society."

Dave Rodriguez: "Should be higher. An accident? No, you don't accidentally drive 75 mph. You don't accidentally run a stop sign if you're paying attention. He's living in enough hell? Not yet. Showing no remorse, his only interest is in getting out of jail."

To read more of our recent coverage on the Beecher tragedy:

Man In Beecher Tragedy Wants Lower Bond: Report

Man Drove 75 MPH When He Killed Beecher Family: Glasgow

How To Help The Schmidt Family After Tragic Crash Claims Lives Of Mother, Sons

Mugshot of Sean Woulfe via Will County Sheriff's Department

Press conference image via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak