This is all kinds of retarded...

[Johnny Funk]

http://www.comcast.net/News/GENERAL/...eff4b5992.html

GLENDALE, Calif. - The suicidal man who authorities say caused the chain-reaction train derailment that killed 11 people has been charged with multiple counts of murder and could face the death penalty, the district attorney said Thursday.

Juan Manuel Alvarez, 25, left his sport utility vehicle on a railroad track Wednesday after changing his mind about committing suicide, authorities said. He was held without bail at a hospital's jail ward after apparently slitting his own wrists and stabbing himself in the chest.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said prosecutors filed charges for 10 counts of murder with "special circumstances" of committing murder through a train derailment. Under state law, special circumstances allegations can make a defendant eligible for the death penalty.

Cooley said the complaint would be amended to add another count to refer to the 11th victim, found in the wreckage late Wednesday night.

-------------------------------------------------------------


So you punish the guy by giving him what he wanted but was too stupid to do on his own?

[psyon]

was talking with and a co-worker and wondering what xian would say about this one



I'm wondering how they are charging him with murder...not that he shouldn't be...but I thought they had to prove intent for murder

insanely stupid though...could've done alot of poeple a favor and drove off a cliff or something

Originally Posted by Johnny Funk

So you punish the guy by giving him what he wanted but was too stupid to do on his own?

suicide is often a means of empowerment for these people. they finnally have control over something. getting strapped in a chair with a tube in your arm isnt empowering.

[Playful Kimmy]

"I'm wondering how they are charging him with murder...not that he shouldn't be...but I thought they had to prove intent for murder."

i too thought he would be tried for involuntary manslaughter.

[Hey Bubu]

Malicious intent of hurting himself and others, if I understand correctly. It was on the news last night, I'll see if I can find a link.

On a personal note, they should keep him alive in jail.

[Playful Kimmy]

Originally Posted by TypeH

Malicious intent of hurting himself and others, if I understand correctly. It was on the news last night, I'll see if I can find a link.

On a personal note, they should keep him alive in jail.

agreed, in solitary confinment.

[Johnny Funk]

Originally Posted by Dropzone

suicide is often a means of empowerment for these people. they finnally have control over something. getting strapped in a chair with a tube in your arm isnt empowering.

Have you been to prison? Are you for one second under the assumption that you are in control there?

Originally Posted by psyon

was talking with and a co-worker and wondering what xian would say about this one



I'm wondering how they are charging him with murder...not that he shouldn't be...but I thought they had to prove intent for murder

insanely stupid though...could've done alot of poeple a favor and drove off a cliff or something

intent can be shown in a lot of ways...

here the DA, I am assuming, will try to demonstrate criminally negligent homicide. The standard, as I recall, is reckless indifference.

"special circumstances" means the DA is leaving the door open to seek the DP. Not that he is seeking it.

here's a little outline I found on the web that explains it a bit


F. “Reckless indifference to value of human life” or “depraved heart” murder: Nearly all states hold D liable if he causes a death, while acting with such great recklessness that he can be said to have a “depraved heart” or an “extreme indifference to the value of human life.” [235 - 236]

1. Illustrations: Here are some illustrations of “depraved heart” or “extreme indifference” murder: [236]

Example 1: D sets fire to a building where he knows people are sleeping; he does not desire their death, but knows that there is a high risk of death. One inhabitant dies in the fire.

Example 2: D fires a bullet into a passing passenger train, without any intent to kill any particular person. The bullet happens to strike and kill V, a passenger.

Example 3: D, trying to escape from pursuing police, drives his car at 75 mph the wrong way down a one-way residential street that has a 30 mph speed limit. D hits V, a pedestrian

[prince vlad]

Give him what he was too chicken shit to do.

[alexican]

that man is a pussy and a dumb fuck
he didn't have the balls to kill himself nor did he have the common sense/decency to move his goddammed car off the tracks before a train came barrelling through
i wouldn't even know what to do with him besides daily beatings