Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Posted on 12/28/2005 3:39:24 AM PST by Cagey
David F. Downey, the Montgomery County businessman whose 17-year-old escort was found dead last summer of a drug overdose in Northeast Philadelphia, has been indicted on third-degree murder charges.
A grand jury accused Downey, 52, of Limerick, of purchasing the cocaine that Ashley Burg ingested, which caused her overdose death.
"The grand jury found that Downey's conduct was particularly heinous in light of the fact this young girl was immediately in distress," said Bruce L. Castor Jr., Montgomery County district attorney. "He did nothing."
Burg was born in Philadelphia and later moved to Willingboro, N.J.
An arrest warrant charging Downey with drug delivery resulting in death, a third-degree murder charge, was signed by Montgomery County Court Judge Paul Tressler on Dec. 22.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minium of five years, Castor said.
Thomas C. Egan, Downey's attorney, said his client "adamantly denies" ever giving Burg cocaine. Burg and Downey through mutual acquaintances associated with a Philadelphia strip club called Tattle Tales South.
The grand jury returned the indictment on Dec. 21. Downey was arrested Dec. 23 at work in Maryland. He is awaiting extradition.
The indictment states that on Sunday, July 31, Burg arrived at Downey's house with Kim Victorine, a Tattle Tales dancer and a friend of Victorine, Derrick Schrandt.
Schandt sold Downey an "eight-ball" of cocaine, or about 3.5 grams, according to the indictment.
A day later, on Aug. 1 about 10:15 a.m., a woman walking her down found Burg's half-naked body in weeds along the 4400 block of Red Lion Road. An autopsy showed that Burg died from ingesting "a significant amount of cocaine shortly before her death."
A computer consultant, Downey claimed that Burg was alive when two of her friends came to Limerick to pick her up. Downey said he gave the friends $2,600 and directions to Phoenixville Hospital to get Burg medical treatment.
No one else has been charged in the indictment. Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. has scheduled a news conference for this morning to discuss details of the case.
It's not his fault and someday he will be elected senator.
Perhaps... but you can't conclude this by this article... she was 17, and an escort.. and willingly took the drug.. this girl had major issues long before she met this guy.
Not everyone that winds up on the wrong path, does so needing the prodding of others.
You make a good point, but the article with more detail explains that this wasn't her lifestyle...all allegedly, of course: Mr. Downey had struck out in trying to find another escort and called her Miss Burg's ex-boyfriend, who got paid $200, and told Burg that all she'd have to do was "party and keep the guy company."
What exactly went down in his place is unknown, and there's lots of evidence not released, I'm sure, but it's not like this girl (used because she's a minor) was a regular. And perhaps she did or did not expect to be paid for "services" doesn't matter--selling her body was not something to harm others like selling drugs can be. So I don't think they are comparable, and I also feel bad that Miss Burg's (or the hypotheical drug dealer's) background, upbringing, or character prevented her from acting dangerously.
Did it say she willingly took the drug? I didn't see that.
I don't see anything that says he forced it up her nose...
Looks to me like this guy was looking to score with a young coke whore... unfortunately she OD'd.
How many 17 year olds do you know who are escorts? (or any age for that matter) that don't have substance abuse issues?
depends on a lot of factors. condition of heart, any other drugs she was taking, what the coke was cut with- and how many times, how often she had done coke and her tolerance level, how quickly she did it all... and a lot more.
also the "ingesting" makes me wonder. does that mean she snorted, smoked or ate it? that would also make a difference.
I see, it's not her fault.
That goes for anyone under that theory. No is responsible for anything because someone led them astray.
She paid the price for her misfortunes and mistakes.
Now hang the scumbag.
Not a problem for me. They get what they deserve.
It didn't. It's just that the legality of drugs would make 10 more of these girls.
Why should we think so? Would YOU use these drugs if they were legal?
I have to believe that she must of had a previously existing heart condition, or that she injected it. An eightball is not enough "by itself" to overdose on, except doing it IV.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
What difference does it make if the drugs were legal or illegal?
Think about the 2nd, as an example, for a bit before you spout. Stupid people will do stupid things with items or substances regardless of whether or not they are illegal.
In this case we have a 17 year old who was obviously not force-fed a substance and a 50something contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Both were idiots in one way or another. What if she'd have died from an overdose of tequila? Would you be making the same stupid statements?
Dashwood has been posting the same comments to the wodlist threads for a long time now. I wonder if he is aware that FR has a no spamming policy.
Why ping me to a thread that is six months old? You druggies must be desperate for attention...
Not by me...
What would be the motive for someone to ping another person to a post on a six month old thread instead of responding to it directly themselves???
It is kind of like the leftist tactic of throwing a rock and then hiding their hand (a form of soft terrorism).
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Sorry to have disturbed you! ;)
I recognized it for what it was and not at all disturbed...
Chemical and psychologigal warfare is what the advocates of illicit drugs are really all about. So, I am not surprised either.
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...so I pinged back my reply.
Why reply to a dead thread that is six months old?
What difference does it make if murder was legal or illegal when people are just going to die anyway?
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