Remember the Dump Truck driver that ran thru the group of riders...

[gat803]

Originally Posted by Convict1997

Good to know that none of you were on the jury considering the fact that, without even knowing any of the facts, you've already condemned him to death.

Normally I would agree with you, but this has been a well publicized incident. With only a quick search you can find the facts. The group of riders were stopped at a light and the driver plowed thru them from behind. He had meth-amphetamine in his system at the time of the crash. He has been convicted of the crime....generally that means he did it, at least legally anyway.

He took the lives of four people and ruined many more. For that he has been sentenced to less than 26 years. Chances are, he won't do anything close to that. Seems inadequate to me, being as how he sentenced his victims (four of them, anyway) to death.

[Convict1997]

You obviously know more about the case than I do so I can't argue it with you. I still stand my my previous statement, though. The fact that the information may be readily available doesn't mean everyone is familiar with it. I'd suspect that most, like myself, haven't seen anything other that the original report and the update you posted here. And they've still banded together with torches and pitch forks, ready to storm the castle and find Frankenstein's monster.

[PA Dave]

I have to half back up Convict1997 on this. I learned long ago that if all the facts came through the news, the one thing you can be absolutely certain of is that you don't know all the facts. It doesn't matter if the story is about a tragedy like this or a report on the Ladies Society Tea Luncheon.

The jury did hear all the facts and convicted the man. The judge heard all the facts and sentenced the man. The sentence doesn't have to make sense to me or be justified to me. All that is the purpose of the trial. I pray the judge got it right.

[1996shadow]

Unfortunately, in this date and time, the jury only hears what the attorneys want them to hear. We have a guy in prison here that was proved a week ago that he is not guilty. The person that got him convicted admitted that she had lied> He is still waiting to get out, even though a judge ordered him released. He's waiting on paperwork to be done, and has been for over a week.

[ejsaenz]

Originally Posted by PA Dave

I have to half back up Convict1997 on this. I learned long ago that if all the facts came through the news, the one thing you can be absolutely certain of is that you don't know all the facts. It doesn't matter if the story is about a tragedy like this or a report on the Ladies Society Tea Luncheon.

The jury did hear all the facts and convicted the man. The judge heard all the facts and sentenced the man. The sentence doesn't have to make sense to me or be justified to me. All that is the purpose of the trial. I pray the judge got it right.

...and what state or federal law allows commercial drivers to have ANY traces of meth or other drugs in their blood?

He knew better, he held a CDL. I used to have one and I need to make sure those on my crew take DOT random drug tests. He was willing to take the risk of being a meth user and a CDL driver, time to pay the piper.

It's amazing how many people don't think that there are or should be consequences to actions... This country is headed to hades in a hand basket big time.

[gmck]

Jury finds Jakscht guilty of manslaughter - CBS 5 - KPHO
story in the local news.

[PA Dave]

Originally Posted by ejsaenz

...and what state or federal law allows commercial drivers to have ANY traces of meth or other drugs in their blood?

He knew better, he held a CDL. I used to have one and I need to make sure those on my crew take DOT random drug tests. He was willing to take the risk of being a meth user and a CDL driver, time to pay the piper.

It's amazing how many people don't think that there are or should be consequences to actions... This country is headed to hades in a hand basket big time.

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm only saying that the evidence of the case was presented before a jury and judge and that they, not me or the news reading world, get to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. We can have our opinions, but my opinion isn't what determines guilt or innocence. I absolutely believe there should be consequences for our actions. My personal opinion in this case is that the sentence was far too light, but I don't have all the facts and I know it.

[Convict1997]

Originally Posted by 1996shadow

Unfortunately, in this date and time, the jury only hears what the attorneys want them to hear. We have a guy in prison here that was proved a week ago that he is not guilty. The person that got him convicted admitted that she had lied> He is still waiting to get out, even though a judge ordered him released. He's waiting on paperwork to be done, and has been for over a week.

There is a prosecution AND a defense. The jury hears from both sides. In your example, it sounds like one or the other didn't do their job well enough. Not really relevant to the current topic, though.

Originally Posted by ejsaenz

...and what state or federal law allows commercial drivers to have ANY traces of meth or other drugs in their blood?

He knew better, he held a CDL. I used to have one and I need to make sure those on my crew take DOT random drug tests. He was willing to take the risk of being a meth user and a CDL driver, time to pay the piper.

It's amazing how many people don't think that there are or should be consequences to actions... This country is headed to hades in a hand basket big time.

How long does that drug stay in your system? Say the driver decided to do some (enter drug of choice here) at a party a week ago. Ends up in an accident this week. I doubt he's still under the effects of that drug, but it's still in his system. Obviously, the consequences regarding his CDL should still apply but, did the fact that the drug was still in his system actually contribute to the accident? Still burn him at the stake?

I'm all for consequences to actions and generally think that penalties are not tough enough. But, I can also recognize when I am not in a position to pass that judgement. This is one of those instances.

Originally Posted by PA Dave

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm only saying that the evidence of the case was presented before a jury and judge and that they, not me or the news reading world, get to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. We can have our opinions, but my opinion isn't what determines guilt or innocence. I absolutely believe there should be consequences for our actions. My personal opinion in this case is that the sentence was far too light, but I don't have all the facts and I know it.

This guy gets it.

[justinmahn]

The guy was convicted of Aggravated Assault. That means he deliberately injured the bikers. Even with incitement, that's enough for me to want him off the road permanently.

[jpr1968]

They found no evidence of mechanical failure and he had meth in his system, What more evidence do you need. 26 years for killing 4 people is not enough.