A Nevada woman has been sentenced to 12 to 35 years in prison for fatally running over her boyfriend after finding what she believed to be another woman’s tampons in his trash.
Julie Bush, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and DUI resulting in death following the incident in May 2024. She was initially charged with open murder and multiple felonies.
The Tragic Incident
The tragic event occurred on May 24, 2024, when Bush found tampons in the garbage at her boyfriend Richard “Rick” Penardo’s home. She believed they belonged to another woman, which sparked a violent confrontation. Prosecutors said the act was captured on a Ring camera, which later became crucial in the investigation.
Bush confronted Penardo, but the situation quickly escalated. Penardo reportedly retrieved a long steel chain from the house and began swinging it, breaking the windows of Bush’s vehicle. In response, Bush attempted to run Penardo over multiple times.
On the third attempt, she intentionally accelerated her vehicle, striking Penardo, sending him into the air, and crashing him into a brick wall.
Penardo, 51, suffered severe injuries, including brain bleeds and collapsed lungs, and died the following day.
The Aftermath
When authorities arrived at the scene, they discovered drugs in Bush’s car, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. Bush admitted to using fentanyl hours before the altercation, and it was later revealed that the tampons likely belonged to Penardo’s roommate, not another romantic partner.
Sentencing and Statements
During the sentencing, a tearful Bush expressed her remorse, telling the court, “I love him very much” and “I’m sorry that he passed away and I wish I could change it, but I can’t.” She acknowledged that her actions could never be undone and that no sentence would bring satisfaction to those affected by her crime.
Penardo’s family also spoke at the hearing, with his mother, Grace Fisher, telling the court that her son made many mistakes in life but that the biggest one was getting involved with Bush. She stated that Bush “made his life a living hell.”
Bush’s public defender argued that her appearance on police body camera footage showed she was remorseful. However, the evidence, including Bush’s admissions and the discovery of drugs, led to the conviction and sentencing.
Legal Outcome
Bush was initially charged with multiple serious offenses, including open murder and DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm. After negotiating a plea deal, she pled guilty to the lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter and DUI resulting in death. She was sentenced to 12 to 35 years in prison for her actions.
Community Impact
This tragic case serves as a reminder of how volatile relationships can become under intense emotions, especially when substances like fentanyl are involved. It also underscores the importance of addressing mental health and substance abuse issues within the criminal justice system.
