Posted on 01/17/2007 5:33:52 AM PST by SpringheelJack
A California radio station has fired 10 employees, including five on-air personalities, after Jennifer Strange, a mother of three, died following her participation in a 'Hold your wee for a Wii' competition, reports the Sacramento Bee. The 28-year-old died of water intoxication having consumed an estimated two gallons of water in an attempt to win a Nintendo console for her children. The winner of the contest was to be the person who managed to drink the most water without going to the bathroom.
Strange called into her office after the show and told a co-worker that she had a "really bad" headache and would be going straight home. She was found dead in her Rancho Cordova home on Friday afternoon by her mother, who had gone to check on her after being contacted by the concerned co-worker.
The DJs had made comments joking about people dying from water intoxication during the show, according to the Sacramento Bee. There was even a discussion about a "poor kid in college"--presumably Matthew Carrington, who also died from water intoxication after a fraternity hazing ritual. One person dismissed the link by saying, "Yeah, well, he was doing other things." During the show, one DJ also admitted, "Maybe we should have researched this."
Two hours in to the contest, a female caller, who identified herself as Eva, phoned in to warn the radio station that drinking too much water can kill. She said, "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication." One DJ replied, "We are aware of that," while another added, "They signed releases, so we're not responsible. It's ok."
Twenty contestants took part in the competition, including Strange, who was the runner-up. Other participants said that they became concerned when one woman lay on the ground, with her teeth chattering, and looking pale. At one point Strange was lying on the ground, but told staff that she "could probably drink more" if someone could pick her up.
Despite the sackings, the Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said that there would not be a criminal investigation. He said, "It's not as if she was somehow in their custody and they had a role to care for her. Rather, it was an invitation to a contest that was clearly ill-advised. She was exercising her free will."
A notice on the radio station's Web site stated that an investigation was underway. It reads, "First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jennifer's family and loved ones. I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible."
The information here is damning to the radio station. During the contest someone called in and told them that people could die from what they were doing. Their response? "We are aware of that. They signed releases, so we're not responsible. It's okay."
All on air, all on tape.
Other thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1768696/posts
Here is a link to excerpts from the radio broadcast during the contest. It contains all the damning comments by the DJs, as well as a couple conversations they had with the dead woman, Jennifer Strange.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/newsroom/kdndslides/
Jesus wept.
If my local news station wants to hold a contest to see if people can fly and makes me sign a release and I of free will jump off a building and die, whose at fault? Me. Poor taste sure, dumb as hell sure, legally damning no not really.
Free country! ... for now.
As God as my witness, I thought water was safe
So basically it is okay if they die, as long as they signed a release... Real caring individual there...
Sure sounds like negligence to to me
There might not be a criminal case .. but you can bet there will be a civil case filed
Firing is the least of those ex-employees worries. Some will be up on manslaughter chargers.
Actually contract law isn't that simple.
And legally damning yes.
I am no lawyer (I just play one on the internet), but it seems like manslaughter charges are not out of the question.
Do you see the lawyers circling?
"Jesus wept."
Over a water drinking contest gone bad?
Involuntary manslaughter usually refers to an unintentional killing that results from recklessness or criminal negligence, or from an unlawful act that is a misdemeanor or low-level felony (such as DUI). The usual distinction from voluntary manslaughter is that involuntary manslaughter (sometimes called "criminally negligent homicide") is a crime in which the victim's death is unintended. (Penal Code 192)
Thanks for the link. I had thought that the radio crew were just mindless dopes that didn't know the dangers of drinking too much water. According to this article, they knew, and were warned by callers. That's disgraceful, especially the flippant remark about the waiver.
"I am no lawyer (I just play one on the internet), but it seems like manslaughter charges are not out of the question."
****
I'm not a lawyer either -- I just work for them, and they aren't criminal lawyers. But it seems to me, from what the Sheriff said...that no one put a gun to her head and forced her to drink all that water...there doesn't look like criminal liability here. Civil? Oh yes. This is a litigous society after all.
I was speculating. Sorry, I should have been clearer on that.
I only play a lawyer on the internet too
Maybe involuntary manslaughter charges could be filed ..
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0831611.html
but from the info in this article .. it doesn't sound like there will be criminal charges filed
There's something so tragic about someone's life sold for so cheap while onlookers laugh.
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