LA man, 89, gets probation in crash that killed 10

[uppityperson]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2006-11-20T203513Z_01_N20300376_RTRUKOC_0_US-CRIME-CRASH.xml

An 89-year-old man who killed 10 people and injured dozens of others when he lost control of his car and crashed through a Los Angeles-area street market was sentenced on Monday to five years probation.

George Russell Weller, who was convicted of 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter in October, was spared a harsher sentence by a Los Angeles judge who said the retired salesman deserved prison time for his lack of remorse but was too old and frail to survive behind bars.

"I will simply never understand Mr. Weller's indifference to the victims in this case and I will never understand his stubborn and bullheaded refusal to accept responsibility and put this matter to rest for everyone, including himself," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson said.

Weller, who attended little of the trial and was not in court for the sentencing, citing ill health, could have faced up to 18 years in prison. Johnson, who ordered Weller to pay restitution to the victims, said he deserved prison time. Weller has heart trouble and is now confined to a wheelchair, although he wasn't at the time of the accident...(more@link)

Seems like what I have read is that his indifference during and since this "accident" comes through in most stories. While he may not do good in prison, and not sure what the reason for prison would be at this point, he deserves to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and lose everything he has in restitution for this.

[Shakespeare]

1. I remember that well. His callousness was shocking. AND...

I didn't click on your link to see if it's mentioned, but he managed to dodge every car and truck in his way; it was only the people he plowed through. He deserves all the punishment he gets, and that's probably still not enough.

[slackmaster]

2. I'm not a doctor, but based on his behavior I think he's just plain senile

Be it from Alzheimer's disease or otherwise.

There's probably some denial going on as well, but that goes hand in hand with senility.

[Shakespeare]

5. I don't think so--he was just downright MEAN.

I watched the ambulances and police cars racing down to the market from my office window that day; the carnage was unbelievable. He seemed to be deeply angry at everyone around him for wanting to hold him accountable. One of his victims was an infant in a stroller, for godsakes, and he just did not care.

[uppityperson]

6. more articles and a picture

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/20/market.accident.ap/index.html

....The judge noted that Weller had enough control of his vehicle to avoid cars and trucks within the farmers market.

"Mr. Weller chose to steer into the people, plowing into the crowd and literally launching bodies into the air as his car sped 2 1/2 blocks," the judge said. The judge also called Weller's apologies hollow.....

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/01/05/farmer.market.crash/index.html

....Weller is charged in the deaths of Theresa Bregalia, 50, of the Bronx, New York; Brendon Esfahani, 7 months, Molok Ghoulian, 62, and Cindy Valladares, 3, all of Los Angeles; Gloria Gonzalez, 35, of Venice; Movsha Hoffman, 78, of Santa Monica; Leroy Lattier, 55, a transient; Diana McCarthy, 41, and Kevin McCarthy, 50, both of New York; and Lynne Ann Weaver, 47, of Woodland Hills.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/01/06/market.crash.plea/index.html

Santa Monica Police Chief James Butts Jr. said at a news conference in December that after a five-month investigation, authorities believe Weller hit the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal of his 1992 Buick LeSabre following a minor fender bender at an intersection near the market. He drove three blocks down the crowded pedestrian market.

The only reason his car eventually stopped, Butts said, was because a body trapped beneath the vehicle slowed it down.

"Mr. Weller was conscious throughout the collision sequence, no evidence exists that Mr. Weller attempted to take the car out of gear, there is no indication of braking throughout the entire collision sequence," Butts said.

Weller's attorneys contend his behavior may leave him open to civil penalties but contend he is not guilty of a crime. Prosecutors, however, contend he could have stopped his car as it traveled more than 1,000 feet through the market. ...

[slackmaster]

7. I've met some very mean senile people

I'm not an expert, but I think it goes with the territory for some older people who are losing their grip on reality.

He seemed to be deeply angry at everyone around him for wanting to hold him accountable.

Or maybe deep inside he was really angry at himself for screwing up what had been a quiet, peaceful end of life.

[pitohui]

16. senility can cause anger and frustration

the person doesn't fully understand that they are senile, they think people are somehow plotting and scheming against them

even formerly nice people can have their personality destroyed by dementia

it is tragic

[Raine]

17. My uncle was like that

he threatened to kill the whole family while they were sleeping, they had to hide all the knives etc. Eventually he was so dangerous they had to place him in a home (he even tried escaping from there), he eventually died from the disease.

[SemperEadem]

23. My bf's father went through that stage before Alzheimer's was diagnosed

he became uncharacteristically abusive towards his wife and son (my bf)--from once being a loving, kind gentle man to one plagued with thoughts that his 63 yr old wife was having an affair with one of their son's friends. He held her at knifepoint and basically terrorized her before the family had him put in a home. No medication seemed to work for him. It wasn't until a few months had passed to where he had passed that phase of the disease. Now, he's bed ridden and basically comatose. It's so sad for everyone. It's like he's dead, but his body is still living.

[Anakin Skywalker]

10. He's One of Those People Who Feels It's His God-Given Right

to drive, not realizing it's actually a PRIVILEGE!

[OhioChick]

3. I think that

5 years probation given his "lack of remorse" is pathetic.

[WindRavenX]

13. no shit

5 years? For killing 10 people that he showed no remorse over? WTF?

[pinniped]

4. Didn't this guy crash into a wall previously at a party?

?

[Anakin Skywalker]

9. No, That Was Some Other IRRESPONSIBLE Idiot.

[Beaverhausen]

11. I think he had crashed into a wall at a relatives house

maybe a year before this other accident. He should NOT have been behind the wheel after doing that - his family members knew he wasn't driving well.

[Anakin Skywalker]

8. He Should Do the Honorable Thing and Sentence Himself to House-Arrest.

And pay RESTITUTION to ALL the victims!

[no_hypocrisy]

12. Is it true that he said that his victims "should've gotten out of (his) way"?

[Crunchy Frog]

14. He should be put away where he can't hurt anybody else.

If he's too old and frail for prison, then he should at least be in a nursing home. He's either a dangerous psychopath, or a dangerously senile old man. In any event, he remains a threat to society who is likely to drive again unless locked up.

[6000eliot]

15. If his age was not a factor in considering the accident,

then it shouldn't be a factor in considering his sentence, IMHO.

[daleo]

18. There could be a good deal of dementia here

I believe it can effect things like the ability to feel remorse, too. I guess you would have to know whether or not this was a lifelong characteristic.

[BreweryYardRat]

19. My instinct is to say,

"Have him strangled," but I'll settle for slamming his sorry evil ass in a psychiatric care facility.

Five year's probation is a ridiculously light sentence. Judge really should have considered other options between prison and probation.

[pitohui]

20. this is my instinct

i strongly suspect we have an obvious case of developing dementia and the judge really didn't feel like having the taxpayer foot the bill for this person's care, which will be costly, as the victim of this disease can still take many years to die after their judgment and ability to identify with others has gone

[superconnected]

21. Whats going to stop him from doing this again?

Even the judge says there's no remorse so what's to stop him? Not his character. Wheelchairs do not mean he can't drive. My dad was in one for a decade, he couldn't walk, but he could drive.

After 3 deaths it's considered a serial killer btw.

[matcom]

22. then jail his children (if he has any)

for allowing him to drive if he is so senile