Accountability

[Miz]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/78-year-old-woman-who-struck-killed-denver-boy-gets-day-in-jail-home-confinement04262015

Deals pot, gets life in prison. Kill a three year old boy, spend a day in prison.

I'm glad the american justice system is keeping real criminals off the streets. /s

 

[Clayton]

Your problem is you have too many facts in your sensationalism.

 

[Miz]

Your problem is you have too many facts in your sensationalism.

Whatever you're getting it, it just goes to show that the value of human life is extremely skewed in this country.

 

[MasterTyvokka]

Kill a three year old boy, spend a day in prison.

I'm glad the american justice system is keeping real criminals off the streets. /s

While I agree with you that someone shouldn't spend life in prison just for dealing pot (and in reality that statement is not totally accurate. There are plenty of pot and harder drug dealers who spend far less time in prison) and the death of that kid is a tragedy, there is often a lot more to cases than just the cut and dry "this is what they were charged with/convicted of. The justice system is about more than just retribution. When I first read your post I expected to see something about a gang banger killing a child and getting only a day. Instead I read a story about a 78 year old woman. In some cases I think its enough punishment for some to have accidentally committed the act. While I don't know the woman that's the impression I get from the article. I don't think justice would be served by imprisoning the woman for a long period of time.

Lastly the deal made in the article a result of plea bargaining. Sometimes it is the case with plea bargaining that criminals gets less than what we feel they may deserve but trust me the justice system woudl come to a grinding halt with plea bargaining. The result would be far worse than a 78 year old lady getting a day and community service.

 

[Miz]

The justice system is about more than just retribution. When I first read your post I expected to see something about a gang banger killing a child and getting only a day. Instead I read a story about a 78 year old woman. In some cases I think its enough punishment for some to have accidentally committed the act.

I don't see the difference between an old lady killing someone and some gang banger. Accidental or not. A 78 year old woman should not be behind the wheel of an automobile. While accidents happen the justice system should take measures to make sure it doesn't happen again. Justice isn't served because after one night she will be back on the road again.

Probably just a matter of opinion, but she deserves a lot more stricter punishment.

 

[Clayton]

A 78 year old woman should not be behind the wheel of an automobile.

because she's 78, a woman, or both?

 

[Miz]

because she's 78, a woman, or both?

78.

 

[MasterTyvokka]

I don't see the difference between an old lady killing someone and some gang banger. Accidental or not. A 78 year old woman should not be behind the wheel of an automobile. While accidents happen the justice system should take measures to make sure it doesn't happen again. Justice isn't served because after one night she will be back on the road again.

Probably just a matter of opinion, but she deserves a lot more stricter punishment.

If both a gang banger and an old lady shot someone in cold blood (or if the gang banger was in the same situation. Although in practice the gang banger would likely get more time for no other than he is a gang banger.)there would be no difference. The difference is the circumstance behind the death. I agree with you that this lady probably shouldn't have been driving. Although I don't agree with your blanket statement that no 78 year old should be behind the wheel. I am sure there are those far older than 78 that drive better than those half their age. Its an unfortunate truth...but like you said accidents happen. Also my guess would be her license was revoked or at least suspended. However the article doesn't go very in depth and there is a lot unknown.

Edit: Don't get me wrong you are entitled to your own opinion and I won't hold that against you. Nor do I condone this woman's actions, accident or not. One of my biggest pet peeves is actually bad drivers. I am however defending our justice system. While I am not naive and know that mistakes are made, because the justice system is a human invention. There is a lot of complex stuff that goes on that someone without knowledge on the subject may not know about.

 

[Clayton]

I don't see the difference between an old lady killing someone and some gang banger. Accidental or not.

So an accidental death merits the same punishment as a planned out, intentional murder?

oookay. So if a kid runs out from a spot you can't see, and you hit him/her with your car and that kid dies, should we consider the death penalty for you?

 

[Miz]

If both a gang banger and an old lady shot someone in cold blood (or if the gang banger was in the same situation. Although in practice the gang banger would likely get more time for no other than he is a gang banger.)there would be no difference. The difference is the circumstance behind the death. I agree with you that this lady probably shouldn't have been driving. Although I don't agree with your blanket statement that no 78 year old should be behind the wheel. I am sure there are those far older than 78 that drive better than those half their age. Its an unfortunate truth...but like you said accidents happen. Also my guess would be her license was revoked or at least suspended. However the article doesn't go very in depth and there is a lot unknown.

She's forced to take defensive driving lessons I believe.

I think old people should be tested twice a year if you ask me.

So an accidental death merits the same punishment as a planned out, intentional murder?

oookay. So if a kid runs out from a spot you can't see, and you hit him/her with your car and that kid dies, should we consider the death penalty for you?

Not the same, but at least some. if you watched the video it wasn't really a blind spot. This is flat out reckless driving.

 

[Clayton]

Not the same

Doesn't matter, it's still an accident.

 

[Miz]

Doesn't matter, it's still an accident.

I feel you're being very rude and dismissive to my arguments. First you try to paint me as a ageist sexist, then ignore my point altogether.

Reckless driving is not an accident and should be treated seriously.

 

[MasterTyvokka]

She's forced to take defensive driving lessons I believe.

I think old people should be tested twice a year if you ask me.

Its not just old people. Like I said I have known some older people that drive better than people much younger than them. In my opinion its the presumption in our country that driving is a right, when its actually a privilege. Its far too easy for someone to obtain a license in this country. Would more testing and more strict requirements solve all the issues, probably not but I think it would help with a lot of the easily avoidable accidents.

 

[Miz]

Its not just old people. Like I said I have known some older people that drive better than people much younger than them. In my opinion its the presumption in our country that driving is a right, when its actually a privilege. Its far too easy for someone to obtain a license in this country. Would more testing and more strict requirements solve all the issues, probably not but I think it would help with a lot of the easily avoidable accidents.

Agreed.

 

[Clayton]

Reckless driving is not an accident and should be treated seriously.

Reckless driving is intentionally ignoring the rules of the road. She was charged with careless driving resulting in the death of another.

What I'm trying to get you to realize on your own that intent is a pretty big deal in the law. Which is why accidents merit lesser punishment than intentional harms. You don't care if something was an accident or not, you said so. That's a terrible mindset to have, for the scenario I gave you.

 

[KrakenDaWhip]

So if a kid runs out from a spot you can't see...

Apparently they were on the crosswalk. Which is terrible. While I do agree that some, in fact many older people can drive fairly well, it matters that THIS woman doesn't seem to.

I dunno, I'm no lawyer, and I'm not saying the punishment should be harsher, but it was the woman's fault. Not the three year old about to celebrate his fourth birthday, or his mother just crossing the street on a crosswalk, but with the 78 year old woman who killed one of them.

 

[Clayton]

Apparently they were on the crosswalk.

Not the point I was trying to make. I was pointing out to Miz that he doesn't care about intent, which is wrong.

 

[KrakenDaWhip]

Ah, alright, sorry.

I think an appropriate punishment perhaps would be taking away her license.

 

[Clayton]

Ah, alright, sorry.

I think an appropriate punishment perhaps would be taking away her license.

Yeah, I can see that.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

**** old people though, amirite?