Moonlighters!

[Tramp]

Originally posted by The Mom
I don't think Tramp was implying that they weren't responsible, just that the charge was excessive according to legal precedent!

Thanks Marcia....

the only point I was trying to make was that "15 years to Life" is a HARSH sentence for someone who did not have malice or forethought at the time of the killing...(at least that wasn't proven)

you're definition of manslaughter fits this crime like a glove, as it would for a drunk driver who's car possesses the same characteristics as the vicious dog...

...I have no sympathy for these people but I worry that a dangerous legal precedent is being set that should make every dog owner shake in his boots, especially if his/her dog has any inclination toward taking a nip out of someone's ankle.

3-5 years in prison with huge civil penalties....yes..........NOT 15 years to life....the punishment does not fit the crime in this case.

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by Tramp


Thanks Marcia....

the only point I was trying to make was that "15 years to Life" is a HARSH sentence for someone who did not have malice or forethought at the time of the killing...(at least that wasn't proven)

you're definition of manslaughter fits this crime like a glove, as it would for a drunk driver who's car possesses the same characteristics as the vicious dog...

...I have no sympathy for these people but I worry that a dangerous legal precedent is being set that should make every dog owner shake in his boots, especially if his/her dog has any inclination toward taking a nip out of someone's ankle.

3-5 years in prison with huge civil penalties....yes..........NOT 15 years to life....the punishment does not fit the crime in this case.

I understood your point from the beggining... it does sound like a lot of punishment that would make dog owner´s shake.
As Dog´sRule said, the woman was convicted of 2nd degree murder while the husband wasn´t. I read somewhere that it was being questionned why she didn´t make any attempt to call 911 as soon as this happened. I personally don´t know what I would have done! I would probably freak out and freeze with the scene! (or maybe run for my life away from the dog!) I am not defending her, but not everybody reacts the same. Of course, in the US, it is just sooo easy to grab the phone and dial those three magical numbers, that I think I would have done that too! I guess that what buried her here was her attitude towards what happened, and perhaps also towards the victim´s sexual preferences.

 

[ToTBellHop]

technically, if you are present when someone is dying...it is illegal not to get help...like if someone is hit by a car...(not your car...) and you are in another car and keep going, you are fine. But if you stop and don't call the police, you are going to jail...