Walt Disney's grandson faces nearly 2 dozen charges

[Gringrinngghost]

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles County prosecutors say the grandson of the late Walt Disney has been charged with multiple counts of illegal gun possession and drug possession.
Patrick Disney Miller initially was charged with one felony count of possession of ammunition by a felon. Nearly two dozen additional felony counts were filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The 42-year-old Miller was arrested earlier this month after a search warrant was executed at his Woodland Hills home. Authorities say police found 13 handguns, a rifle, an illegal assault rifle and various drugs. Miller is barred from owning guns or ammunition following a 2005 conviction on drug possession in Fresno.
Miller faces more than eight years in prison if convicted.

 

[cdunbar]

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles County prosecutors say the grandson of the late Walt Disney has been charged with multiple counts of illegal gun possession and drug possession.
Patrick Disney Miller initially was charged with one felony count of possession of ammunition by a felon. Nearly two dozen additional felony counts were filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The 42-year-old Miller was arrested earlier this month after a search warrant was executed at his Woodland Hills home. Authorities say police found 13 handguns, a rifle, an illegal assault rifle and various drugs. Miller is barred from owning guns or ammunition following a 2005 conviction on drug possession in Fresno.
Miller faces more than eight years in prison if convicted.

WOW!

 

[Wilt Dasney]

The weapons charges are bogus IMO. Parole/probation is a drag. They saddle offenders with conditions only nominally relevant to the original charge (if at all relevant), then bust them for doing things that any other citizen would be allowed to.

If he was convicted of drug possession, his parole should state that he isn't allowed to do drugs...as already provided for by the law. Telling him he can't own guns is paternalistic overkill.

ETA: This guy faces EIGHT YEARS in a penitentiary for ingesting substances into his own body and merely owning weapons and ammunition? Sorry folks, but the criminal justice system in this country is damaged beyond any semblance of respectability. I suspect future generations will shake their heads over the things we locked people up for in our times...kind of like how we're amazed that medieval Europeans tortured, imprisoned and executed their own for having the "wrong" religious beliefs. We've come a long way; we have a long way to go.

 

[joe80x86]

Sorry Wilt he knew he couldn't own them and yet he flagrantly violated the terms of his probation. I say lock him up.

 

[asianway]

Sorry Wilt he knew he couldn't own them and yet he flagrantly violated the terms of his probation. I say lock him up.

At what cost to the state over the eight years?

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Sorry Wilt he knew he couldn't own them and yet he flagrantly violated the terms of his probation. I say lock him up.

Is it the fact that he violated his probation/parole at all that makes you say "lock him up", or the specific fact that he had weapons as a convicted drug offender?

I guess what I'm wondering is if the conditions said "no lollipops" and he ate lollipops, would you feel the same?

(I know that probably sounds sarcastic and I don't mean it to. I'm just wondering what the dominant principle is behind your thinking here...the fact that the law said "Don't do X" regardless of what X is, or the fact that you don't think drug offenders should have the right to own guns. I can see the second point more easily than the first.)

 

[KeithVH]

For everyone who has their panties in a twist over this (and to avoid future hand-wringing), I see two possible options:

• Those who are REALLY concerned about the issues raised here could DO something about it. Lobby the appropriate lawmaking body to get things changed so it's not so unfair to the subject of choice.
• Go live in a country which is more suited to each person's view of how the justice system should work so there's no reason to complain.

Anything else is just noise in the tubes . . .

 

[Wilt Dasney]

• Go live in a country which is more suited to each person's view of how the justice system should work so there's no reason to complain.

That's not a solution. I don't live in Uganda, but a certain law being considered there regarding people's private lives (I'll avoid the specifics here, but it's been in the news) still steams me up. We're all citizens of the same planet.

Your first point (do something about it) is well taken, however.

 

[Tom]

Rather than turn this into a political debate (which is where it's headed), why don't we just acknowledge the story and admit that morals and ethics are not embedded in DNA. Every family tree has bad apples. Not everyone with the Disney name will be a shining star. He's half Miller too.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Ohhhhhhh...SO many political things to say. :lol:


Let's just say I REALLY agree with BJ. Excellent post.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Rather than turn this into a political debate (which is where it's headed)

Ohhhhhhh...SO many political things to say. :lol:

You're both right. Even though I don't think my points strayed too far from the facts of the story, there's no way to keep this up without getting into political debate.

I'll be interested in what other people have to say in this thread, but I've stated my opinions pretty fully at this point.

 

[HMF]

I will refrain from comment on this thread as to avoid getting involved in a debate on which I have strong opinions.

 

[_Scar]

/facepalm

What an idiot- especially with THAT family name to live up to.

 

[WDW1974]

OK, here goes again ... but what does this have to do with WDW News and Rumors?
Does anything go here now?

I'm also surprised that folks are just hearing about this as it was news when he was actually arrested.



So ... yeah, I'm wanting to agree with old Wilt Dasney. I want to ... but still I can't.

This dude is obviously got some issues. You get into trouble and you know what you aren't supposed to do ... and you go and do it?

At some point, personal responsibility comes into play. Where was his brains? Hell, where was his family? Friends? I think the world of his folks, but did no one have a clue he was getting ready for WWIII?


Probably not.

But I've seen plenty of miscarriages of justice ... I'm not sure I can say that's what's happening here.

 

[Phonedave]

You're both right. Even though I don't think my points strayed too far from the facts of the story, there's no way to keep this up without getting into political debate.

I'll be interested in what other people have to say in this thread, but I've stated my opinions pretty fully at this point.

Lets just say in practice I agree with you - it is a poor choice of punishment requirements.

I also feel that if you are given conditions that you must abide by, no matter how asinine, and you are aware of the penalty for violating those conditions, then you get what you deserve.

Here is more fodder

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=34874

I happen to know "Doc" Raymond pretty well. I also happen to know some facts that are not included in the media coverage that if you want to know, I can discuss via PM (this is not the proper forum). The justice system is messed up in many many ways.

-dave

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I happen to know "Doc" Raymond pretty well. I also happen to know some facts that are not included in the media coverage that if you want to know, I can discuss via PM (this is not the proper forum).

By all means.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

In before the lock! :sohappy:

If you commit a crime, you need to pay for it - that's why there are such things as LAWS. Plain and simple. Doesn't matter who you are. :shrug:

 

[The Mom]

Since this has nothing to do with Walt Disney, or the Walt Disney Company (unless said grandson is involved with the company) it is just a little tidbit that might be of interest to some, but really doesn't involve WDW.

It's unfortunate that another person has fallen to the third generation pattern but it happens all of the time; I've seen several instances locally, on a smaller scale, of course. If a family has enough money, it may take another generation or two to spend it all. Some families are able to instill values that keep the family business and fortune going indefinitely, but many do not.