Alright, well, I was surfing the net for some news, and I came across this article, explaining how a toddler had been murdered. Here's what happened(the way I understand it) The murderer, David Collins, was apparently drunk, and was going after the infant's father, Claude Hankins, who supposedly owed him $20. He swung a baseball bat at the man's head, but missed and hit his daughter, killing her. Now...my question; what do you all think? What should be his punishment? Is it really his fault, or the alcohol's(I personally think all that is BS, but I'm asking you)? Do you think there might have been more going on there than a dispute over $20? I'd like some conversation, please.
I agree, Mage. When it comes to alcohol, you may not have been planning to murder someone with it, but by taking it and then trying to violently settle a dispute, you are fully responsible for your actions. I think there must've been something mroe going on. Twenty dollars and a little alcohol is'nt much of a motive. It may be enough to make most people turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, but it's definitely not the first thing on his mind if he's drunk.
Assault and at least second degree murder come to mind for charges.
My correction would be this; instead of 2nd degree murder, manslaughter. He didn't mean to kill anyone. And what are your thoughts on the guy who lent him the bat and helped beat the dad? Methinks accessory to manslaughter and assault?
If he was trying to kill the father, he should be charged with attempted murder. If not, just take him to rehab.
I don't mean to be rude, but I really disagree! He killed a baby! And all he has to do for that is quit drinking? That's zero punishment for murder! How fair is that, exactly? He knew what he was doing, even if he was drunk. It was his choice to get drunk in the first place. He should at least serve some time.
I agree, Mage. When it comes to alcohol, you may not have been planning to murder someone with it, but by taking it and then trying to violently settle a dispute, you are fully responsible for your actions. I think there must've been something mroe going on. Twenty dollars and a little alcohol is'nt much of a motive. It may be enough to make most people turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, but it's definitely not the first thing on his mind if he's drunk.
-.- I hate it when people steal the words right outta my mouth. Catch the thief! Just kidding, but really, I agree with you fully.
Definitely manslaughter, as well as battery/assault/attempted murder.
And as with Mage, I ask you the half-a-million dollar question; what about the guy who helped him?
Over 25,000 children die a day *facepalm*
Please tell me you said that and the facepalm because you were so sad by the number of children who die each day. Anyways, do you have any proof for that statistic? If you didn't mean the above reason, then... Facepalm means I'm stupid because I made a thread talking about one death? Well that's just crude! You're saying that because of the magnitude of such deaths, they don't matter? That's not true! If just one of your family members died, wouldn't you want to talk about it? Wouldn't you think it mattered?
To me, it doesn't mean squat diddly if he was drunk when he had the fight, he murdered a child even though he tried to murder the father and I say heavy charges be brought upon him. the baby had her life totally ahead of her, and only spent so short of a life before murdered with a blunt weapon.
All over $20? Close to worst motive I've heard. I hope that the court doesn't think differently because he was under the influence, because all charges must be objective in offense.
Facepalm means I'm stupid because I made a thread talking about one death? Well that's just crude! You're saying that because of the magnitude of such deaths, they don't matter? That's not true! If just one of your family members died, wouldn't you want to talk about it? Wouldn't you think it mattered?
One death isnt a big deal in the sense that its something new and surprising.
Yes it is sad, but when 25,000 children die each day it is kind of stupid to bring up a single.
One death isnt a big deal in the sense that its something new and surprising.
Yes it is sad, but when 25,000 children die each day it is kind of stupid to bring up a single.
Each and every one deserves discussion, and I can't make a thread that covers 25,000 murders, let alone every day, can I? Besides, this one just caught my eye and should get some discussion, since it was murder/manslaughter(whichever one) Totally agree.
This is not a world event. It is barely a local event.
Btw, Drace. You're really bad with links, after you put it in the space you keep forgetting to hit the link button to [/url]
By the way, I saw this worm get eaten by a bird the other day. I think I should go make a topic in the World Events forum.
I'm not talking about the event itself(which IS very important, someone died!)I'm talking about the principle, and what should happen to the murderer. Yes, that is good advice about links. I don't like sarcasm, blue. Especially not in a thread covering such a serious topic. Sure, 24,999 other child deaths occur every day, but that does not diminish the impact. Tell me something, have any of your family members died that you knew? Because it's a difficult thing to grasp if you haven't lived it. I'm not saying you're not worthy of discussion, I'm just asking you that if you can't fully grasp the scope of what's happened, then please don't act so high and mighty about it.
Tell me something, have any of your family members died that you knew?
Yup.
I'm just asking you that if you can't fully grasp the scope of what's happened, then please don't act so high and mighty about it.
I do fully grasp the scope of what has happened. It ain't a very big scope if it fits in the palm of my hand =P
Besides, this one just caught my eye and should get some discussion, since it was murder/manslaughter(whichever one)
It was manslaughter and murder. Plain and simple. An attempted killing and an accidental one. There is litte to discuss.
What? That's not true. He didn't try to kill the dad, it was attempted assault. With the kid I was wondering murder/attempted murder, not for the dad. The guy didn't intend to kill the dad, just beat him up. Oh, well then I'm sorry. Is that a joke or are you serious?
