Ruggs denied parole five years after fatal DUI crash
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- Henry Ruggs III was denied parole Thursday, nearly five years after the fatal crash that killed 23‑year‑old Tina Tintor and her dog.
- Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners set his next eligibility date for Aug. 24, 2027 and a possible hearing in May.
- David Chesnoff (Ruggs’ attorney) expressed disappointment and urged the board to ignore Ruggs’ celebrity status.
- Ruggs led a cardio class, spoke to HOPE for Prisoners, educated inmates about DUI dangers, and earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration at Alabama while incarcerated.
- Sandy Schmitt (parole board commissioner) cited Ruggs’ non‑compliance with a travel arrangement last October as an aggravating factor.
- Mirjana Komazec, mother of victim Tina Tintor, declined interview requests, saying “It’s still hard.”
- Eric Bauman, former Clark County chief deputy district attorney, thanked the board, saying the decision brings the family one year closer to justice.
Why it matters: The denial underscores the parole board's stance that serious DUI homicide warrants extended incarceration, offering closure for the victim's family while limiting Ruggs' early release, and signals to other offenders that mitigating outreach may not outweigh aggravating compliance violations in the Nevada justice system.
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