Police Ask For Manslaughter Charges In Farmer's Market Crash

KNBC ^ | 12/17/2003

[Smogger]

Baloney. You're picking on an elderly man who shouldn't have been driving. As a friend of mine asked, "When you are three sheets to the wind, would you ever say you are incapable of driving?".

Whatever. Drunks don't intend to kill people either? Does society give them a break because it wasn't their intent to kill and maim. I have never HEARD of ANY drunk KILLING and MAIMING as many people as this miserable old geezer did. He'll fry and justice will be served.

[AnnaZ]

You both need to read the live coverage thread of this incident that hole_n_one posted if you were not present at the time.

 

Immediate eyewitness testimony made it clear that this was perpetrated, as hard as it may be to believe, with deliberate intent.

[AnnaZ]

The evil intent of the Buick killed me, too. (Imagine had it been an SUV?!!)

 

...but then Weller's Buick Le Sabre suddenly pushed the Mercedes out of its path...

Buicks... ya jes' can't trust 'em!

[.38sw]

*Gulp* My mom drives a Buick...

[AnnaZ]

*Gulp* My mom drives a Buick...

That's where you're wrong... IT DRIVES HER!!!

[Smogger]

[Smogger]

[Smogger]

[.38sw]

What carnage. That last photo you posted in particular is amazing - here you can see a victim covered by a tarp, with a discared ambubag nearby, showing that a paramedic had tried to resuscitate that one. Then there's the Buick with the smashed up front end near the covered victim. Mr. Weller shouldn't get off just because he's old.

[Little Ray]

"He is emotionally drained and lives with the effects of the tragedy every minute of every day."

There is relief in his medicine cabinet, knife drawer, or gun cabinet.

[PoisedWoman]

Right, Smogger, his lack of remorse was chilling. What's the worst sentence he can receive for manslaughter x 10?

I hope this case at least makes other codgers think twice about getting behind the wheel.

[eldoradude]

Whew! Remind me never to buy a Buick. Sounds like that thing had a mind of its own, and acted independently!

People don't kill people, cars kill people. Obviously, this is a case of an assault Buick, and there's no other use for an assault Buick other than to kill people...there ought to be a law!

[BraveMan]

Oscar Grope hooligan ping . . .

[Conservative til I die]

Time to get these old farts out of the cars! They're absolute menaces, when they aren't slowing traffic by doing 15 in a 35.

[philetus]

The facts tend to support your statement. I don't have a problem with the charges. What I have a problem with is the police taking on the job of the D.A.

[Wiggins]

And don't give me the "well teens are in accidents more" thing. Teens have to jump through hoops practically to get a license already. It's time to do the same for the elderly.

I didn't say a word about teens being accidents more, so I didn't give you that! I also agree with you that after a certain age people should be retested for their abilities to drive a motor vehicle. If his family knew he was a bad driver why didn't they take action? They could have prevented the incident. We don't need more regulations. Most states have a dmv administrative procedure for a drivers license review. This action can be taken by anyone who observes someone who is a menace on the roadway.

[marcy_sss]

Hey did you take that picture? I don't think you did, it looks like one by a teacher at my school, Anacleto Rapping from the LA Times. You should put somebody's name on it, seriously.
But hey I am wondering, does anyone know when Russell Weller's court date is?
Thanx...

[hole_n_one]

From this 1/06/04 CNN article......

The judge scheduled a February 9 court date to set a preliminary hearing, The Associated Press and Los Angeles Times reported. Weller's attorneys were ordered to arrange a time for him to be booked by Santa Monica police.

The pic was in the public domain via Yahoo news.