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Elderly Man Gets Probation for Deadly Santa Monica Market Crash
Associated Press Via Fox News ^ | Monday, November 20, 2006

Posted on 11/20/2006 11:40:52 AM PST by Wiggins

LOS ANGELES — An elderly man who killed 10 people and injured more than 70 others when he drove through an outdoor farmers market was sentenced Monday to probation by a judge who said he believed the crime deserved imprisonment but the defendant was too ill.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: georgerussellweller; georgeweller; masskillerwalks; santamonica
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To: Wiggins
This is another anecdote to add to the list of reasons why it should be a lot harder to get and keep a driver's license.

Some people have simply gotten too old to be driving. If you're mistaking the accelerator for the brake and mowing people over, or coming very close to it, maybe you shouldn't be driving anymore!

Driving safely requires a minimum level of skill, vision and reflexes. If you don't have that minimum level any more, please don't put me or my family at risk of life and limb just so you can maintain your independence.

41 posted on 11/20/2006 12:08:06 PM PST by TChris (We scoff at honor and are shocked to find traitors among us. - C.S. Lewis)
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Comment #42 Removed by Moderator

To: lawdude

Not as sick as lawyers make me, idiot.


43 posted on 11/20/2006 12:10:54 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: rottndog

I agree, the article is written to provoke a blind EMOTIONAL (see feeeeeeeelings) response.

This is not fact based journalism, this is sloppy emotion writing for the BELIEF it will be milked into ratings.

and then greta will have hours of experts and mouse hairs on the air to talk about the "outrage" and the victim families will be on the air crying and telling us they prefer GMs over Fords...


44 posted on 11/20/2006 12:12:07 PM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Dallas59; American Quilter; babygene
I used to almost feel sorry for the old man until I heard about this particular fact that was rarely reported back in 2003 (at least I never heard it; I only heard it recently, and then repeated here by Dallas...it's not in the Fox article):

Witnesses testified that after Weller left the post office his car rear-ended a Mercedes-Benz just outside the farmer's market, then roared through the market's entrance.

I think what happened was he caused damage to the Mercedes, and sped away to avoid having to pay anything for it; when he started hitting people he may have either panicked or maybe did that on purpose too. The point is, he probably was fully aware of what was going on at first, and only later claimed to be a "poor old confused man".

Just because someone is aged, doesn't mean they are nice. There are plenty of old people who are quite nasty. Jack Murtha comes to mind.

45 posted on 11/20/2006 12:12:52 PM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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To: American Quilter
I believe you're right. My mother did the same thing at age 78.

Yeah was she fleeing the scene of another accident like this old coot? He should fry!

46 posted on 11/20/2006 12:14:30 PM PST by Smogger (It's the WOT Stupid)
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To: Dallas59

"Although Weller did not testify during the trial, jurors did hear his taped interview with police immediately after the crash in which he said he tried everything he could think of to stop his car."

He should have tried lifting his foot off the accelerator and putting it on the brake pedal. I swear, if I ever reach the point where I don't immediately recognize that I've stepped on the gas instead of the brake, I hope someone will pull my license and get me off the road right away.

Doesn't sound to me like this old fool really even acknowledges that this was his fault. Yes it was (probably) an accident, but it's still his fault.


47 posted on 11/20/2006 12:16:04 PM PST by -YYZ-
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To: FourtySeven
"... I used to almost feel sorry for the old man until I heard about this particular fact that was rarely reported back in 2003..."

I wanted that old baby-killing coot decapitated and his head placed on a sharpened pike outside of the AARP headquarters after hearing about this comment of his several months ago:

Prosecutors said that was more than enough time to realize and correct his mistake, suggesting he steered into people and away from parked cars to avoid hurting himself. They called one witness who claimed Weller said: "You saw me coming, why didn't you get out of my way?"

Of course, some morons here think that there's no purpose to be served by placing this murderer behind bars.

48 posted on 11/20/2006 12:18:02 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: livius

I have terrible depth perception, as does a friend of mine. When I first found out, I was a bit shocked that I am able to drive so well. Doctor told me that when you grow up with it, your brain learns to process other visual clues to make up fo rit. However, I am terrible in sports.


49 posted on 11/20/2006 12:21:33 PM PST by Patriotic1
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To: Wiggins

I would like to have seen some sort of punishment or restitution. This guy drove two blocks!


50 posted on 11/20/2006 12:22:13 PM PST by BunnySlippers (Never Forget / Giuliani 2008)
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To: Dog Gone

"We do it all the time when the "accident" was avoidable."

When you think about it, all accidents are avoidable. If one were to stay in bed all day, the only thing you would have to worry about would be falling out of bed.

I'm very aware of the fact that we punish people all the time for accidents, and I don't agree with it. There are many evil deeds done every day, we should go after those people criminally. Let the civil justice system deal with accidents.

As I said before, it's only by the grace of God that any one of us are not involved in an accident where others are hurt or killed.


51 posted on 11/20/2006 12:22:58 PM PST by babygene
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To: The KG9 Kid

"Not as sick as lawyers make me, idiot."

Well reasoned, thoughtful retort. I would have expected nothing less (or more). Want to call my mother names too?


52 posted on 11/20/2006 12:23:09 PM PST by lawdude (The dems see Wal-Mart as a bigger threat to the US than muslim terrorists)
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To: lawdude
"Want to call my mother names too?"

I don't insult prostitutes. Unlike lawyers, they at least have honorable employment.

53 posted on 11/20/2006 12:27:18 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: Wiggins

Peoples Republic of Santa Monica strikes again. Why don't they buy the guy another car and give him driving lessons while they're at it.


54 posted on 11/20/2006 12:27:21 PM PST by RacerX1128
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To: Wiggins

Edna, what's that sign say?

55 posted on 11/20/2006 12:30:16 PM PST by Silly (Still being... Silly)
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To: Wiggins

Accidents happen. Sometimes really, really bad ones. But that's why we have the word in our language. They happen for lots of reasons, usually stupid ones, but they do happen. This terrible accident seems to have happened because the driver was confused and not able to think clearly enough to stop or redirect his car. That he was 89 years old has to have been a contributing factor. Punishing that man by sending him to prison is not only stupid, but pointless, and probably demanded only by people who need to revenge everything, no matter what the circumstances. We've been seeing a lot of that in the news lately. Instead of automatic incarceration, it might be wise to consider additional testing for elderly drivers.


56 posted on 11/20/2006 12:33:33 PM PST by Continental Soldier
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To: Wiggins
He said he had no idea how many people he hit.

"One bump, two bumps, three bumps, four bumps... Edna, keeping counting -- and hand me your cell phone. I need to call Shocks 'R Us."

57 posted on 11/20/2006 12:33:49 PM PST by Silly (Still being... Silly)
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To: Wiggins

The headline had me thinking that perhaps Buffet had come a cropper.


58 posted on 11/20/2006 12:35:09 PM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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To: lawdude
The state is under no obligation to provide other than enough care to prevent suffering. No surgeries, IIRC!

That isn't the case in California. There have even been prisoners that have gotten organ transplants. They do get surgeries of all kinds.

There have been complaints and lawsuits against the prison system alleging that the medical care has been substandard, and the federal courts have taken over the medical care system and appointed a receiver. His name is Robert Sillen. This receiver is paid an enormous amount of money, and has enormous power. He has the power to seize funds from the treasury if he sees fit.

That's not to say that I don't believe that this Weller dude doesn't deserve to go to prison. He killed those people while trying to run away from another accident he caused.

59 posted on 11/20/2006 12:35:19 PM PST by dontposttome
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To: Wiggins
I guess this sign wouldn't have helped any...


60 posted on 11/20/2006 12:36:43 PM PST by Silly (Still being... Silly)
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