Tulsa Family Outraged Convicted DUI Driver Is Not Behind Bars

Ashli Sims, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A Tulsa family is outraged that a two-time convict is back in the system again. A drunk driver ruined their lives ten years ago. Now his victims say the justice system is failing them.

Doctors told Chris Birch he'd never speak or walk again. Now he's walking and talking to those who committed the same crime that almost stole his life.

"The guy that hit Chris is just like you and just like me. He just made a really bad decision," Pam Birch said.

Chris' wife, Pam, said that bad decision happened back in 2000, when a drunk driver slammed into Chris' car. A month in intensive care and 14 months of intense therapy and Chris, once a 35-time marathon runner, was barely able to walk.

Tommie Farmer was convicted for the crime in 2001, but only served a little over 2 years.

"We will serve a sentence til we're dead. It's a lifelong sentence. We will have it for life," Pam said.

In 2006, Farmer was convicted again, this time for drug possession. He got a six year suspended sentence.

Pam Birch said she was listening last week to her husband shares his story with DUI offenders when she decided to check up on Farmer.

"While he was talking on my iPhone, I did a search of the DOC website and I immediately noticed there was a brand new picture of Mr. Farmer," she said.

The Department of Corrections website lists a new drug possession entry and an extension of Farmer's parole.

"There is just no reason why this fell through the cracks again," Pam said. "That he's walking the streets and he's out again."

This wife and caretaker said this isn't about vengeance, but justice.

"He served two years and two months of his five year sentence he received 10 and a half years ago. And he's out scot-free. And he continues to offend. He's 54 years old, he's an adult, he should know better," she said.

News On 6 reporter Ashli Sims made several calls, but couldn't find out why Tommie Farmer's probation was extended instead of him going back to prison.