Teen held in heart-attack death of deputy

Palm Beach Post ^ | April 2, 2002 | Susan Spencer-Wendel

[Hajman]

A thug grabs an elderly woman's purse and runs off. She chases after him and has a heart attack. He is caught, charged, tried, and convicted of murder. There's no difference than if he had kicked her in the chest and killed her. Perhaps ideologues like to excuse personal irresponsibility, but rational, civilized people don't.

A group of kids run up behind a policeman and yell 'Boo!' in play, and he dies of a heartattack. What then do you think would happen? There's a fine line between direct and indirect responsability here, and the indirect can be painted very broadly. Where's the line drawn? (This is an inquisitive inquiry).

-The Hajman-

[Cultural Jihad]

Without being a district attorney, I would argue that motivation is the key. Sneaking up and yelling "Boo!" is in no way illegal. Sneaking up and snatching a purse is. Perhaps the thief hadn't wanted to cause the old woman's death, but there are repercussions to every deed.

[Hajman]

Without being a district attorney, I would argue that motivation is the key. Sneaking up and yelling "Boo!" is in no way illegal. Sneaking up and snatching a purse is. Perhaps the thief hadn't wanted to cause the old woman's death, but there are repercussions to every deed.

But then the intention wasn't to harm though. There are reprocussions to everything, but how far down the effect line should we go for something? Lets say the kid kicks the policeman, he dies, then his daughter goes insane and kills herself because of it (this isn't too farfetched. I personally know a policeman who's son died, and his daughter, who was close to her brother, went nuts, and tried to kill herself. Sad story..). Does the guy have to take responsability for her death as well?

-The Hajman-

[Cultural Jihad]

Does the guy have to take responsability for her death as well?

Ask MK for his opinion, if he has one.

[Pern]

In short, the police-haters are worried that they're going to get caught one day. The only thing I do which is illegal is take a toke off a joint now and then. I have a great high paying job, don't drink, don't whore around, and I am totally devoted to my family. I'm not afraid of getting caught. And in my experience, those that defend cops even when they are totally wrong (which may or may not be the case here) are LEO's themselves, and believe cops are above scrutiny by people such as myself.

I am not a total cop hater, I have several cousins and uncles that are Sheriff's Deputy's or La. State Troopers. I just don't like the double standards that I see all too often. There cannot be an upperclass of politicians and their protectors, Law Enforcement Officers. One rule for the cops and one for ordinary citizens is a recepie for disaster.

I'm always willing to have an adult discussion on any topic I post. I try not to stoop to name calling (but don't always succeed) and such to get my point across. You guys should also read the posts between myself and 'Hillary's Lovely Legs', and post # 35.

[Cultural Jihad]

Thanks for your post. I guess my gripe is the knee-jerk mentality which rushes to judgment and slams anything to do with a LEO. No one is saying there ought to be two laws or two standards, but to take a felonious mob mentality which we often see here is really disgusting. It may be worthy of Operation PUSH or David Duke or some militia nutcase outfit or tax cheats or deadbeat dads, but not conservatives.

[Poohbah]

I am not a total cop hater

I know. I was thinking more of eno_ with my remark.

It's based on personal observation: "profiling," if you will. Someone who absolutely hates any and all cops and wants to throw a party every time a cop dies--every time I've seen that in real life, it's because the guy has outstanding warrants (and often for nontrivial stuff, like what I cited in post #46).

FWIW, every "simple assault" case (like what this started out as) I know of where the victim died turned into at least "voluntary manslaughter" case. One of the more memorable quotes I recall was from a Georgia DA who charged a man with Murder One after he kicked someone in the chest and the victim died. She said, "A 'mistake' is using the wrong fork at a formal dinner. When you're wearing steel-toed boots and kick someone in the chest, that's an 'on-purpose.'"