heatley avoids jail time

[camochick]

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the fact that Danny Heatley avoided jail time. Is it possible that his celebrity status had an impact on this? Is it a fair decision considering he showed genuine remorse.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/02/04/Sports/heatley050204.html

 

[someguyincanada]

if he can do it, anyone can do it, sets a bad example....

 

[karl28]

Its a sad situation he killed one of  his good friends . I think it was the victim's family wishes that he not do time either I am not sure on that thought just what I gathered from early reports on CTV news . Personal I think he should have to do some time he did do a crime and the Law shouldn't have any grey area's

 

[Love793]

To many people get a way with stuff like that.  In this case I'd have to agree though that the pleas for a light sentence from the victims family had an impact on the sentencing.  However as I said, way to many people get off with light sentences for that sort of thing.

 

[FredDaHead]

Except for, maybe, reckless driving or speeding, he didn't actually commit a crime, beyond getting in an accident that ended with his friend's death. Reports showed that his blood alcohol levels weren't high enough to be considered DUI. (I don't have a reference at hand, but I can look it up)

But yeah, he might've gotten off a little easy. However, I think that the judges should take into account the victim's family's wishes, when they specifically say they don't want the defendant to do any time.

 

[043]

How exactly did he get off easy???

He caused the death of his best friend, he is on probation for 3 yrs, must do service work,  He also may not drive except for work, medical purposes, going to the grocery store or for attending his speeches, The car cannot have more than six cylinders and will have a mechanism to prevent it from exceeding 70 m.p.h (112 km/h).

Is that light compared to prison?? I don't think so. I think it is more severe actually and I think the sentence is just. To go to prison and sit around wasting? Not teaching young people about the dangers of speeding would be a waste. IMHO there is more to gain by placing him on probation than incarcarating him.

 

[Love793]

I never said He got off easy on it.  I said too many people get off easy on issues relating to this.  Personally I think he got a fair deal.

 

[Torlyn]

Except for, maybe, reckless driving or speeding, he didn't actually commit a crime, beyond getting in an accident that ended with his friend's death.

Um, reckless driving causing death IS a crime...  One could even push for criminal negligence causing death, although that would have to be relatively dramatic, I would think...

T

 

[2 Cdo]

The sentence was appropriate. Years ago I had a friend who had an accident while impaired and killed his best friend. The victims parents made a statement at the time that any jail time would be counter-productive as he already had to live with what he had done! My friend was suspended from driving for 5 years and was fined and had to do community service. The deciding factor for the judge to not award jail time was the victims family pleading for the accused.
The same thing happened here the, victims family did not want to see Danny Heatley go to jail and I think that was what persuaded the judge. I honestly don't think his celebrity had any bearing.