Former Capitol Staffer Gets Suspended Sentence in Hit-and-Run

AUSTIN (AP) – A former Texas Capitol staffer has received a suspended sentence a day after being convicted of a 2011 hit-and-run that left a pedestrian dead. A jury Friday recommended Gabrielle Nestande receive a suspended 10-year sentence and be issued a $10,000 fine. The Travis County jury convicted the 25-year-old Nestande on Thursday of criminally negligent homicide. The Austin woman worked for state Rep. Wayne Christian of Center at the time of the May 2011 accident that killed 30-year-old Courtney Griffin. Griffin’s body was discovered in a driveway. Officers located a nearby car with a broken windshield. The vehicle was traced to Nestande. Judge Karen Sage has ordered a pre-sentencing review, and the final terms of Nestande’s punishment will be determined at a hearing March 25.