That was the first thing I thought of when I read the headline...If I was on the jury, I'd nullify the verdict. as in, I would ignore the letter of the law, and render my verdict based on what I feel is right and just. I'm tired of hearing about drunks killing people and getting just a few years in jail.
Every one of us knows someone who was close to us, who was killed by a drunk driver. Many of us know more than 1. Me? I know of 3 close friends who were killed by drunks, all different crashes. In each case, the drunk had prior convictions, did not have a license, was driving illegally... and yet they get 10 years or less for their crime. "he didn't MEAN to kill anyone, he was drunk, it's not his fault." Effing Bull Caca.
Most recent, this fool of PA was driving up US23 in Columbus/Delaware area of Ohio. had like 7 prior DUI convictions, and no license. He was driving at an extremely high rate of speed. so high that someone called 911 to report him for it...and then became the first person to report the crash when she rolled up on scene a few miles down the road. The driver killed a girl my age, a mother of a baby, who will now grow up without ever knowing her mom. At least in this case, the driver got 30 years.
This is true. How did the father know the guy was drunk? Did he try to care for his injured son's before he ran off to get a gun?
Would he have shot him anyway if he wasn't drunk?
And this was the second thought I had when I read the story. first son dead on scene. second son died in the hospital. Could the 2nd Son have survived if the father had stuck around to give first aid instead of going home for a gun? If he went to get a gun, I'll assume that means he did not call 911 right away? more precious time lost that could have saved his second son. At the time of the crash, how did the father know the other driver was drunk? sometimes it's obvious...empty beer cans in the vehicle, smell of booze, beer spilled in the crash, etc. other times, it's not so easy to tell...functioning alcoholic who was on his way home from the bar.
So...after reading the story, if I was on the Jury, here's how I would vote on the verdict: If the father can prove that he knew his second son was beyond recovery and that his wounds were fatal (difficult to do this...We have soldiers in god forsaken countries coming home with no arms and no legs, half their skull missing...and they survive) and if he can prove that he knew the other driver was drunk, then I would vote not guilty.
but, if he can't prove BOTH of those things, then I'd say he's guilty of something...manslaughter at the minimum.
Now....as a father of 2 young boys, If someone took them from me because they were selfish and dumb, such as a drunk driver...I would have no problem spending time in jail for whatever I may do after the fact.