Found guilty, teen to serve year in fatal texting crash
Replies
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He killled someone and his sentence should have reflected his choice to do that. This wan't an accident, he chose to text.
I have to ask, then what would be considered an accident in your book?
Cause everyone chooses to do something. And according to you the outcome should be plain as day.... not defending him, just trying to see your logic
Cutting veggies in the kitchen and knife slips and endsup cutting somebodys throat = accident
You breaking a law and killing somebody as a result = murder
You pulling a gun on somebody to try and rob him but while taking the cash, finger slips and gun goes off killing the person = murder
Thats how it is in my book atleast.
btw, its seriously disgusting how people are trying to defend the killer in here
Nope, slitting someone's throat isn't an accident in your book... cause it would be a double standard.
Someone jay walking acrossed the street(breaking the law) Car going a little too fast (breaking the law) swerves to miss the jay walker and crashes into a tree killing the passenger of the car.... according to you both people are now murderers0 -
I am probably going to get slammed for this comment, but it is JUST MY OPINION.
I have had numerous people in jail for multiple offenses - some longer than others including my ex-husband. I think his sentence was severe enough. Reason being because he didn't do it on purpose. With murder, it is usually planned hance the long sentence sometimes. Was he stupid? Yes, of course he was, but the fact that he killed someone and severly injured someone else will way far more heavier on his mind/spirit than the prison sentence and not having his license for 15 yrs. I can almost guarantee the guilt alone will eat him alive and unfornuately, his decision is something he can never take back. As much as I feel sorry for the family that lost a loved one and a disabled another one, my heart is also heavy for this young man - it is a decision he can never take back and will have to live with the rest of his life. Texting as we all know isn't smart, but I know ALOT of people who still do it despite the laws that have been pasted. I also see alot of people everyday texting. Sometimes, we don't understand the consequences of our actions until it is too late. JMO (from someone who has had loved ones incarcerated before).
Again agree0 -
The jail time is not too severe but the 15 years without a license is. He is 18, he can make his own decisions so should be punished for them, but he still has a lot of growing up and maturing to do.
You know who doesn't have a lot of growing up to do? The person he killed.
I know I'm married with a kid and all, but I think I may have just fallen a little bit in love with you, Brett.0 -
The jail time is not too severe but the 15 years without a license is. He is 18, he can make his own decisions so should be punished for them, but he still has a lot of growing up and maturing to do.
You know who doesn't have a lot of growing up to do? The person he killed.
I know I'm married with a kid and all, but I think I may have just fallen a little bit in love with you, Brett.
I'm not looking for anything serious right now.
:laugh: 
:flowerforyou: 0 -
:laugh: Another one bites the dust.
I know I'm married with a kid and all, but I think I may have just fallen a little bit in love with you, Brett.0 -
Nope, slitting someone's throat isn't an accident in your book... cause it would be a double standard.
Someone jay walking acrossed the street(breaking the law) Car going a little too fast (breaking the law) swerves to miss the jay walker and crashes into a tree killing the passenger of the car.... according to you both people are now murderers
How would it be double standards? Last time I checked cutting veggies was not illegal
And if a person who is speeding and causing death...why would should he not be persecuted? You just want everybody to be free and put them in a time-out in the corner for 5 minutes to think about what they did?
Stop defending people who break laws and cause deaths....Not everybody feels bad about what they did, atleast not for a lifetime like they should.
You wanna text and drive (which is fairly obvious you want to do and feel comfortable doing it) then go right ahead however saying that what the driver did was "woopsie daisy, he made a booboo. Let him go free and let him drive again because he has learned a lesson and won't ever do it again. Pinky promise" is just ridiculous.0 -
:laugh: Another one bites the dust.
I know I'm married with a kid and all, but I think I may have just fallen a little bit in love with you, Brett.
I know, I know. I'm a patient observer/eavesdropper. I know he's playing the MFP field.0 -
:laugh: Another one bites the dust.
I know I'm married with a kid and all, but I think I may have just fallen a little bit in love with you, Brett.
I know, I know. I'm a patient observer/eavesdropper. I know he's playing the MFP field.
He is not!0 -
I know he's playing the MFP field.He is not!
He's a tramp.0 -
...0
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:laugh: Another one bites the dust.
I know, I know. I'm a patient observer/eavesdropper. I know he's playing the MFP field.
He is not!
:flowerforyou:0 -
Nope, slitting someone's throat isn't an accident in your book... cause it would be a double standard.
Someone jay walking acrossed the street(breaking the law) Car going a little too fast (breaking the law) swerves to miss the jay walker and crashes into a tree killing the passenger of the car.... according to you both people are now murderers
How would it be double standards? Last time I checked cutting veggies was not illegal
And if a person who is speeding and causing death...why would should he not be persecuted? You just want everybody to be free and put them in a time-out in the corner for 5 minutes to think about what they did?
Stop defending people who break laws and cause deaths....Not everybody feels bad about what they did, atleast not for a lifetime like they should.
You wanna text and drive (which is fairly obvious you want to do and feel comfortable doing it) then go right ahead however saying that what the driver did was "woopsie daisy, he made a booboo. Let him go free and let him drive again because he has learned a lesson and won't ever do it again. Pinky promise" is just ridiculous.
Cutting Veggies, no but not stopping your self, or the knife from spining around and slashing some one... is murder... you would have to have really bad reflexes and be very strong to not stop the knife as soon as it slip. and to give it enough force to even remotely fly from the table to impact the person or the person would have to be really close for it to even touch their neck. When a I am cutting something and it slips from my hand, it falls do to gravity. The worst I can do with a knife, when it does slip is cut one of my fingers off. I want to see what world you live in...
What makes you even remotely think I have a cell phone?
Like I said earlier, I wasn't defending the kid... and what he did, should be prosecuted, But I don't think it is fair that everyone is calling him a murderer.
Murder: crime of killing somebody: the crime of killing another person deliberately and not in self-defense.
I really, don't think he did it on purpose. Yes he answered a text, but how many times while you drove you looked down and changed the radio station? Your eyes are off the road, for a split second, that is all that is needed for something bad to happen. And don't remotly think you don't, turn your gaze to see a beautiful lady jogging, read a street sign, or billboard sign, even glance over at your passanger as you two have a conversation about the weather or something stupid....
If that results in a death, then you are a murder cause you broke the law by not paying attention to the road0 -
Nope, slitting someone's throat isn't an accident in your book... cause it would be a double standard.
Someone jay walking acrossed the street(breaking the law) Car going a little too fast (breaking the law) swerves to miss the jay walker and crashes into a tree killing the passenger of the car.... according to you both people are now murderers
How would it be double standards? Last time I checked cutting veggies was not illegal
And if a person who is speeding and causing death...why would should he not be persecuted? You just want everybody to be free and put them in a time-out in the corner for 5 minutes to think about what they did?
Stop defending people who break laws and cause deaths....Not everybody feels bad about what they did, atleast not for a lifetime like they should.
You wanna text and drive (which is fairly obvious you want to do and feel comfortable doing it) then go right ahead however saying that what the driver did was "woopsie daisy, he made a booboo. Let him go free and let him drive again because he has learned a lesson and won't ever do it again. Pinky promise" is just ridiculous.
Cutting Veggies, no but not stopping your self, or the knife from spining around and slashing some one... is murder... you would have to have really bad reflexes and be very strong to not stop the knife as soon as it slip. and to give it enough force to even remotely fly from the table to impact the person or the person would have to be really close for it to even touch their neck. When a I am cutting something and it slips from my hand, it falls do to gravity. The worst I can do with a knife, when it does slip is cut one of my fingers off. I want to see what world you live in...
What makes you even remotely think I have a cell phone?
Like I said earlier, I wasn't defending the kid... and what he did, should be prosecuted, But I don't think it is fair that everyone is calling him a murderer.
Murder: crime of killing somebody: the crime of killing another person deliberately and not in self-defense.
I really, don't think he did it on purpose. Yes he answered a text, but how many times while you drove you looked down and changed the radio station? Your eyes are off the road, for a split second, that is all that is needed for something bad to happen. And don't remotly think you don't, turn your gaze to see a beautiful lady jogging, read a street sign, or billboard sign, even glance over at your passanger as you two have a conversation about the weather or something stupid....
If that results in a death, then you are a murder cause you broke the law by not paying attention to the road
Uh... this is why it's called vehicular MANSLAUGHTER. Manslaughter is basically unintended murder. Nobody who drives a car is going to instantly want to use it to kill someone. That being said, it doesn't excuse anyone from behavior that has even a 1% chance of killing you or someone else, hence why it's a punishable offense.
Fact is the kid made a choice and he now has to pay for it. End of story.0 -
Slap on the wrist for murdering someone.
AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Uh... this is why it's called vehicular MANSLAUGHTER. Manslaughter is basically unintended murder. Nobody who drives a car is going to instantly want to use it to kill someone. That being said, it doesn't excuse anyone from behavior that has even a 1% chance of killing you or someone else, hence why it's a punishable offense.
Fact is the kid made a choice and he now has to pay for it. End of story.
Why does everyone think I am defending the boy? Yes, he made the choice, yes now he has to live with that choice, and face the consequences. But doing so, doesn't make him a murderer. Murder requires proof that the boy planned it out. Manslaughter, means it was an accident but someone still died. Plain and simple....
Whatever, you guys think what you want... but you better not be looking anywhere other than the road, other wise you are hypocrites. I don't even care if the child is in the backseat ripping the stuffing out of your brand new car... you are a hypocrite if you look back even for a second.
Or ask for a lawyer, if you do and something bad happens0 -
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20220607found_guiltyteen_to_serveyear_in_fatal_texting_crash/A landmark texting verdict yesterday sent shockwaves through the smartphone set with a sentence that will lock up an 18-year-old for a year and strip him of his driver’s license for 15 more years.
“The message here is, the commonwealth is not going to tolerate any violations of this law,” Boston criminal defense lawyer William D. Kickham said. “It’s extremely dangerous to text and drive at the same time, and the jury’s verdict and the judge’s sentencing reflects that.”
A Haverhill District Court jury found Aaron Deveau of Haverhill guilty of motor vehicle homicide and texting while driving causing injury.
Judge Stephen Abany sentenced him to 21⁄2 years in the House of Correction on the motor vehicle homicide charge and two years on the texting count. Deveau was ordered to serve one year concurrently on both charges, and the balance of both charges are suspended for five years, and his license will be suspended for 15 years.
Massachusetts State Police applauded the sentence.
“This was an important case that made very clear the consequences of distracted driving and the resolve and ability of police and prosecutors to hold accountable people who do it,” state police spokesman Dave Procopio said.
Prosecutors said Deveau sent or received 193 text messages in the hours before his Chevy Malibu collided with Donald Bowley’s car. Bowley, a father of three, was killed, and his passenger Luz Selena Roman was disabled.
“There are no winners today,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “A beloved grandfather is dead. A once active woman can no longer work and is still racked with pain from her injuries and a young man is going to jail.”
Massachusetts, which has prohibited drivers from sending and reading text messages since 2010, is one of 39 states with such bans. Five more ban young drivers from texting while driving, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports.
“It’s a fast-moving piece of highway safety legislation,” institute spokesman Russ Rader said, “because texting while driving is such an obvious risk.”
“Maybe this will be the final wake-up call,” said James Lewis of Kyrus Mobile, a Concord company whose device blocks drivers from sending texts and surfing the Web.
“Studies show that distracted drivers are 23 times more likely to crash,” he said, “and distracted driving is still eight times worse in terms of reaction times than drunk driving.”
Too severe? This this will make one iota of a difference?
No, not too severe. Drivers who are texting are as dangerous on the road as drunk drivers, and teens are riskier drivers anyway. If we have zero tolerance for anything at all one thing that should be is driving in any way impaired, including distracted. He killed someone, and did it because he was doing something that a reasonable person should know could kill someone.
Dr. David Strayer of the University of Utah has done several studies since 2001 on distracted driving and cellphone use while driving, and has found that distracted drivers are at least as dangerous on the road as intoxicated drivers.
There are mistakes, and then there are deadly mistakes.
http://www.apa.org/research/action/drive.aspx0 -
I am probably going to get slammed for this comment, but it is JUST MY OPINION.
I have had numerous people in jail for multiple offenses - some longer than others including my ex-husband. I think his sentence was severe enough. Reason being because he didn't do it on purpose. With murder, it is usually planned hance the long sentence sometimes. Was he stupid? Yes, of course he was, but the fact that he killed someone and severly injured someone else will way far more heavier on his mind/spirit than the prison sentence and not having his license for 15 yrs. I can almost guarantee the guilt alone will eat him alive and unfornuately, his decision is something he can never take back. As much as I feel sorry for the family that lost a loved one and a disabled another one, my heart is also heavy for this young man - it is a decision he can never take back and will have to live with the rest of his life. Texting as we all know isn't smart, but I know ALOT of people who still do it despite the laws that have been pasted. I also see alot of people everyday texting. Sometimes, we don't understand the consequences of our actions until it is too late. JMO (from someone who has had loved ones incarcerated before).
What would be an appropriate sentence for someone who killed your children's grandfather doing something well known to be dangerous and possibly deadly? Remember, he clearly considered the text more important than anyone he hit while making it.0 -
I am probably going to get slammed for this comment, but it is JUST MY OPINION.
I have had numerous people in jail for multiple offenses - some longer than others including my ex-husband. I think his sentence was severe enough. Reason being because he didn't do it on purpose. With murder, it is usually planned hance the long sentence sometimes. Was he stupid? Yes, of course he was, but the fact that he killed someone and severly injured someone else will way far more heavier on his mind/spirit than the prison sentence and not having his license for 15 yrs. I can almost guarantee the guilt alone will eat him alive and unfornuately, his decision is something he can never take back. As much as I feel sorry for the family that lost a loved one and a disabled another one, my heart is also heavy for this young man - it is a decision he can never take back and will have to live with the rest of his life. Texting as we all know isn't smart, but I know ALOT of people who still do it despite the laws that have been pasted. I also see alot of people everyday texting. Sometimes, we don't understand the consequences of our actions until it is too late. JMO (from someone who has had loved ones incarcerated before).
What would be an appropriate sentence for someone who killed your children's grandfather doing something well known to be dangerous and possibly deadly? Remember, he clearly considered the text more important than anyone he could have hit while making it.
There fixed...
They way you phrased the question, made it sound like he was driving on the sidewalk.0 -
Teenagers do not always use the best judgement. I think we can all agree on that. He made a huge mistake in choosing to text while driving. That mistake cost someone his life. I see this as vehicular manslaughter more than murder (although I do not write the laws in his state). He did not set out that day to kill someone. He didn't intend to text and take a life. He did, though, and for that he should suffer consequences. I don't know that calling him a murderer and wanting him to pay for it the rest of his life is fair, though. He's certainly not in the same realm of human being as someone who sets out to take another life. I believe his punishment is light regarding jail time, though. And, like I said earlier, I don't think suspending him from his driver's license for 15 years is really going to keep him from driving.0
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Teenagers do not always use the best judgement. I think we can all agree on that. He made a huge mistake in choosing to text while driving. That mistake cost someone his life. I see this as vehicular manslaughter more than murder (although I do not write the laws in his state). He did not set out that day to kill someone. He didn't intend to text and take a life. He did, though, and for that he should suffer consequences. I don't know that calling him a murderer and wanting him to pay for it the rest of his life is fair, though. He's certainly not in the same realm of human being as someone who sets out to take another life. I believe his punishment is light regarding jail time, though. And, like I said earlier, I don't think suspending him from his driver's license for 15 years is really going to keep him from driving.
Depends on what this has done to his mental state, cause he could choose never to drive again. If he takes full responsibly from it and it stains him. It all depends on how he is as a person0 -
True. I shouldn't be so skeptical about that. I just like to see punishments that are really enforceable.Depends on what this has done to his mental state, cause he could choose never to drive again. If he takes full responsibly from it and it stains him. It all depends on how he is as a person0 -
True. I shouldn't be so skeptical about that. I just like to see punishments that are really enforceable.Depends on what this has done to his mental state, cause he could choose never to drive again. If he takes full responsibly from it and it stains him. It all depends on how he is as a person
Agreed, but the only thing that can stop him from not driving again is himself.... fear of getting pulled over, and having his id checked, doesn't really bother some foke. But, knowing HE killed someone, last time he was behind the wheel might... You never know, he could turn from this bad event, to try and role model for the younger generation, against this kind of crime0 -
I pray he turns this into something positive and chooses to help educate others.Agreed, but the only thing that can stop him from not driving again is himself.... fear of getting pulled over, and having his id checked, doesn't really bother some foke. But, knowing HE killed someone, last time he was behind the wheel might... You never know, he could turn from this bad event, to try and role model for the younger generation, against this kind of crime0 -
Lot of rhetoric about "accidental". Choosing to text, drive distracted or drive impaired is not an accident. It's a choice.
Making that choice and killing someone is no less a crime.0 -
Lot of rhetoric about "accidental". Choosing to text, drive distracted or drive impaired is not an accident. It's a choice.
Making that choice and killing someone is no less a crime.
Never said it was, but calling him a murderer for being distracted for a moment. You can't tell me, that you haven't looked in the back seat, if you have kids, to check if they was alright or to break up a fight between them.... Same thing here. The only difference is he looked down to press a few buttons... it is still driving distracted, Yes he should be prosecuted.... but being called a murder for it... That is my issue... sorry... He didn't set out to kill anyone, he looked away for a moment, a young driver's mistake. You can't tell me your not also guilty of that. And if you put the bs, "Well, I am not on trial... " every time you did you could have been
Bad luck, was on his side that day....0 -
I made my daughter fill this out when she got her permit and subsequent license. To the best of my knowledge, she never violated it. She never got caught at least. She's 18 now and an adult, but my name is still on the title of the car she drives and she is still on my insurance.
********************************
Absolutely No Texting or using Cell Phone while driving. Get a different ringtone for Mom and Dad. When they call, safely exit the road, park and call back in a timely fashion.
What happens if Holland gets caught Texting or using Cell phone while driving?
• 1st Offense – Lose Driving Privileges for 1 month.
• 2nd Offense – Lose Driving Privileges for 2 months.
• 3rd Offense – Lose Car - Mom and Dad will sell it and give Holland the profit when she turns 18, at which time she will be responsible for getting her own vehicle and her own insurance.
Does having a car give Holland permission to freely go anywhere she wants at any time?
• No. Holland must still ask permission to go out. Holland will be where she says she is going. Holland will be home when at the agreed upon time.
What happens if Holland gets a ticket and her Insurance increases?
• Holland will pay the difference or Holland will not drive.
Provided Holland’s GPA was 3.0 or above on the previous report card and no individual grade is below a C, Holland can get a job in 2011 as long as her grades do not suffer. (“Suffer” is a subjective term and is wholly defined by Mom and Dad)
What happens if Holland’s grades begin to suffer?
• Holland will quit her job and concentrate on her studies.
How will Holland finance her fuel costs without a job?
• Daddy will increase Holland’s allowance from $20 to $50 once she has a vehicle. $25 per week WILL be sufficient to purchase gas during the school year.
• During the summer of 2010, Mom and Dad will entertain thoughts of Holland getting a P/T job, as long as it does not interfere with the family vacation.
• Mom and Dad will continue to assist Holland by assigning chores during the summer. These chores and compensation for said chores will most likely increase since Holland will have the ability to carry out chores that would require the use of a vehicle.
Who is responsible for the care and maintenance of Holland’s vehicle?
• Holland !! Note: Mom and Dad will make sure that Holland’s new vehicle has good tread on the tires. Daddy will pay for a basic Oil Change every 4,000 miles.
Whose name will be on the Title of Holland’s new Vehicle?
• Michael and Jannette Vallandinhgam
Who has permission to drive Holland’s new vehicle?
• Holland, Jannette and Michael Vallandingham.
I, Holland M. Vallandingham, understand the above information completely and agree to all conditions as outlined. I understand that any sanctions levied upon myself for non-compliance are solely my fault and I enter into this contact freely.
Signature_____________________________________________________ Date_____________________
Witnessed by________________________________ and ________________________________________
(Daddy) (Mommy)
*********************
Love this... In fact, copied and pasted into a word document to save for when my daughter gets old enough to drive...
I, myself, need to be better about not driving and talking. I don't text... but I talk... which in all honesty, is quite distracting. I am going to break this habit because I do not want to someday hurt someone because I don't think I could live with myself if I did....0 -
My question is how far will this allow law makers to go? No more listening to music, eating, talking with others in the vehicle.. all of these are considered distractions, are they not?0
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Lot of rhetoric about "accidental". Choosing to text, drive distracted or drive impaired is not an accident. It's a choice.
Making that choice and killing someone is no less a crime.
Never said it was, but calling him a murderer for being distracted for a moment. You can't tell me, that you haven't looked in the back seat, if you have kids, to check if they was alright or to break up a fight between them.... Same thing here. The only difference is he looked down to press a few buttons... it is still driving distracted, Yes he should be prosecuted.... but being called a murder for it... That is my issue... sorry... He didn't set out to kill anyone, he looked away for a moment, a young driver's mistake. You can't tell me your not also guilty of that. And if you put the bs, "Well, I am not on trial... " every time you did you could have been
Bad luck, was on his side that day....
I'm glad someone understands what murder is.0 -
I am probably going to get slammed for this comment, but it is JUST MY OPINION.
I have had numerous people in jail for multiple offenses - some longer than others including my ex-husband. I think his sentence was severe enough. Reason being because he didn't do it on purpose. With murder, it is usually planned hance the long sentence sometimes. Was he stupid? Yes, of course he was, but the fact that he killed someone and severly injured someone else will way far more heavier on his mind/spirit than the prison sentence and not having his license for 15 yrs. I can almost guarantee the guilt alone will eat him alive and unfornuately, his decision is something he can never take back. As much as I feel sorry for the family that lost a loved one and a disabled another one, my heart is also heavy for this young man - it is a decision he can never take back and will have to live with the rest of his life. Texting as we all know isn't smart, but I know ALOT of people who still do it despite the laws that have been pasted. I also see alot of people everyday texting. Sometimes, we don't understand the consequences of our actions until it is too late. JMO (from someone who has had loved ones incarcerated before).
What would be an appropriate sentence for someone who killed your children's grandfather doing something well known to be dangerous and possibly deadly? Remember, he clearly considered the text more important than anyone he hit while making it.0
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