Yes, just so. And although my love and sympathy goes out to every bereaved parent everywhere, the circumstances here make me hope RCCL throws every possible resource at crushing these people in court.
Jails are supposed to rehabilitate, I doubt he will be dropping any more kids off of cruise ships. It can cost up to $60,000 a year to house an inmate.
I disagree with the bolded. First, I think he's not admitting fault simply because of the civil case, NOT because he honestly thinks he did nothing wrong. Second, I think he would be EXTRAORDINALY safe going forward in the same situation. Therefore he's not a continued danger to himself or others. I don't think jail time does any good.
And Mets face it, the state he made was written by his lawyers, at this point the family is just a pawn for attorneys.
I'm sure. That's why I'm surprised it included "I'm relieved I don't have to admit facts." I would hope RCI gets a chance to ask him why that relieves him so much.
eh, it's done all the time (plead guilty without "admitting" fault). At least I've heard it on the news plenty of time. Alford Plea? Is that right?
I agree 1000%!
Thanks. How unusual would it be for the judge to increase the punishment? And, if the judge DOES increase the punishment, can the defendant rescind their guilty plea?
He still committed a horrible crime. To say he will pay over the rest of his like is a joke.
You're right that it's also for punishment, but there are many forms of punishment a judge can order. Prison is a punishment that's ordered with the intent to rehabilitate a person who commits, has committed, and/or has a propensity to criminal acts that endangers society. This is also part of the reason why marijuana is being decriminalized - we're clogging up the system and tax payer dollars with nonviolent offenders that don't necessarily need rehabilitation to re-enter society (but I totally digress, sorry for the tangent). In the case of life sentences, its determined these people cannot be rehabilitated because of the criminal and egregious crimes they have committed, and cannot re-enter society because of that. The grandfather has no prior record (to my knowledge), and while what he did is totally reckless and negligent, I think is reasonable for a judge to conclude it will be an isolated incident in this man's life, all things considered. So that's why I just don't see how prison would have done any good in this case.
He was charged with negligent homicide, which is the death of another through negligence or without malice. While the whole thing is absolutely horrible, you have to consider it through the eyes of the law. Negligent homicide is not on par with murder, so probation was appropriate. The court of public opinion is an entirely different scenario.
Don't disagree with you. I honestly think part of the plea bargain (in order to just get probation) should have been him admitting he held her out of the window.
I agree with you
. And it also should have included them dropping the civil suit.
