Posted on 03/16/2008 10:57:40 AM PDT by LibWhacker
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A man who gave a loaded gun to his suicidal friend to "snap her out of it" and then watched in shock as she killed herself was sentenced Friday to up to five years in prison for his role in her death.
Christopher Burda, a lighting company owner with no previous criminal record, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday for the November 2005 suicide of Nancy Choquette of Stamford, Vt.
He wiped away tears throughout his sentencing, then apologized to Choquette's family and his own.
"My deepest condolences and most heartfelt apologies," he said haltingly, often trailing off to regain his composure. "I had a much better speech, apology, if you want, but that's really all I can get through at this point."
Burda, 46, was ordered to serve between four and five years in prison — less that the 10 to 15 years sought by prosecutors. Defense attorney Leonard Cohen said Burda had not yet decided whether to appeal the conviction or the sentence.
Burda told police that Choquette, a former employee of his, was visiting his North Adams home on the night of her 51st birthday when she became despondent over marriage problems, her father's death and other difficulties.
When she threatened suicide, he said he tried "calling her bluff" by retrieving and loading a 9mm Beretta he had purchased from her late father. Choquette lifted it to her head and killed herself just a few feet away from him.
He told police her last words were: "I'm going to do it, and you're going to watch."
Prosecutor Joan McMenemy said Burda added to his culpability by reloading the gun with three fresh bullets when it failed to fire on Choquette's first try. McMenemy said that decision defied logic when he could instead have called 911 or sought other help.
Prosecutors said throughout the trial that Burda should have known Choquette was too distraught and intoxicated to be trusted with a loaded weapon, especially one with such emotional significance.
Burda's friends and his father described him as a compassionate person who made a mistake but always had the best interests of his friends at heart. Choquette's family, however, said in a statement to the judge that a true friend would have ensured her safety.
"We are truly different people because of this," her son, Jamie Choquette, said of himself and his father, David. "We both feel this is a situation where a small amount of common sense could have avoided this tragedy."
Superior Court Judge John Agostini said Burda showed "very, very terrible judgment," but that he gave him less time than prosecutors sought because of Burda's lack of criminal history, the fact that alcohol and other factors were involved and the knowledge that nothing would comfort Choquette's and Burda's families.
Add 5 years for stupidity.
He reloaded it for her when it failed to fire?
Maybe they were both drunk?
Or there’s something we don’t know?
grief
At least that is what it seems like to me...
Maybe they were both drunk?
Or there’s something we don’t know?
I wouls say there certainly is a bit more to this story...
Christopher Burda, a lighting company owner ... Choquette, a former employee of his, was visiting his ... home on the night of her 51st birthday when she became despondent over marriage problems ... and other difficulties ...
When she threatened suicide, he said he tried "calling her bluff" by retrieving and loading a 9mm Beretta he had purchased from her late father.
... Burda added to his culpability by reloading the gun with three fresh bullets when it failed to fire on Choquette's first try ...
The only person that pulled the trigger was her, and where I come from loading a gun’s not a crime.
Yes, I think there’s more to this, and there was probably some kind of relationship there that hasn’t been mentioned. However, I would suspect that alcohol (lots and lots of it) was involved.
So, if someone commits suicide with your gun, you go to prison? Does this make sense?
If he’d of kept his mouth shut no one would have known.
He reloaded a gun for someone who had just failed to kill herself with it? I’m trying to imagine any mental state, however impaired, wherein that would seem like a good idea. How does somebody that stupid remember to breathe?
They should shoot the idiot who testified against this dumb SOB!
Yep, after the first attempt any normal person would know she wasn’t kidding, faking, etc., and would take the gun away from her and try to get her some help.
Reloading with fresh bullets? Unbelievable. (’Course, any normal person wouldn’t have given her a gun in the first place.)
Sounds like she was real pi##ed at him for being such a jerk and giving her a gun under such circumstances: “I’m going to do it, and you’re going to watch.”
Hope he relives that shameful moment a million times in his life.
Super bad timing, No?
I can do it, long as I have my one (in a million)
After considerable thought on this I’ll just have to think about it.
I meant “i can make it” not “i can do it” for God’s sake. (banging head on desk)
Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.