Woman curses at Duval County judge during outburst in court

Tara Thrift shouted expletives at a Duval County judge during her sentencing for vehicular homicide Friday.

“She’s not a public defender. You’re not a state attorney. You’re not a ****ing judge. It’s a sham,” Thrift said.

Thrift acted out in the courtroom before the judge sentenced her to 15 years.

Thrift was found guilty of vehicular homicide and three counts of reckless driving for a four-car crash at Beach Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road on Dec. 1, 2016.

That crash killed Sandalwood High School senior Denny Grahovic.

JSO said Thrift ran two red lights before accelerating into the intersection.

The arrest warrant said Thrift appeared to have full control of her car, but it “appeared she was intentionally driving her vehicle to cause a crash.”

During Friday’s sentencing, Thrift also took out her hearing aids, claiming they did not work.

“I’m ready to go back. Yeah, this is a sham. You can turn off the cameras. I’m done,” Thrift said.

Thrift’s public defender Brooke Brewer told the judge her client suffered a traumatic brain injury during the crash.

“She told a probation officer that she has been told she was in a car accident, that she does not remember it. And on some level -- on most levels, I believe -- she does not believe that she was in a car accident,” Brewer said.

The judge permanently revoked Thrift’s license.

She has 30 days to appeal her sentence.

Thrift is a mother of six.

Cox Media Group