As part of settlement, parents of drunk driver agree to move

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | February 22, 2005 | MICHELLE WASHINGTON

[TheBattman]

OH - I'm aware of the law. It's the law that I don't agree with. I firmly believe that the definition of murder (and the possibility of capitol punishment) should be expanded.

[PzLdr]

When I was a law student ('75) I worked on one of the first NY cases where we indicted a drunk driver for Man 2 when he killed a pedestrian crossing the street in NYC. To get above Crim. Neg., we argued that drunk driving, coupled with high speed, and running a series of red lights (aggravating factors), made the defendant's conduct RECKLESS, not negligent. The mere fact that the drunk INTENDS to drive does not constitute intent to kill, and may not make out depraved indifference to kill. My office tried a vehicular for depraved indifference.The JURY wouldn't go for it, convicted him of either vehicular manslaughter or Man 2 (I forget which). Change all the statutes you want. Unless the jury of your peers goes along with it, "don't mean nothin'".

[Melas]

I checked, Everette was 30 years old. How the F do you sue the parents of a 30 year old for something the 30 year old did? I would have told the Chambers to a freakin' hike.

[Melas]

If you're really that hung up on semantics. Most states classify what used to be called manslaughter as criminally negligent homicide.

[csvset]

I thought that this arrangement was strange to say the least.

[SouthParkRepublican]

bump

[TheBattman]

Maybe because the parents owned the vehicle....

[TheBattman]

IT's not the semantics that I am hung up on. It's the fact that people who kill other people are killers - particularly when they made the decision that resulted in the death.

If a family member is shot to death in a robbery attempt, are they any more dead than the family member killed by a repeat offender drunk driver? No. And both hypothetical dead people were killed by someone's DECISION. And in my opinion (not worth much, apparently) both are murderers who deserve the maximum.

[Teacher317]

If they litigated, the victim's family could've got MUCH more. This was an agreed-upon mediation settlement. The parents opted for this instead of what could have been... probably a smart choice.

[Melas]

Well, I guess you're titled to your opinion. I can't say that it makes a great deal of sense, but it's yours to keep.

[freeplancer]

I bet you are right. As a headline, it sounds pretty mean, but you have more common sense than I do.