Utah People?

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Max of 3 years??

That's just not right.

Tell me about it. I can't think this was the first time this kid ever lost his temper while participating in a sporting event. I'm all for forgiving mistakes but there are limits. I can't wrap my head around a max of three years for leaving kids fatherless.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

Tell me about it. I can't think this was the first time this kid ever lost his temper while participating in a sporting event. I'm all for forgiving mistakes but there are limits. I can't wrap my head around a max of three years for leaving kids fatherless.

I don't know what is the "right" amount for something in this realm. I guess the 3 years is enough to force recognition of the wrongfulness of the act, but short enough to not completely derail the young person's life.
He caused a death of another person and there is no way to repair that, but if our society is to be progressive, then this citizen needs help and training to become a better person in the future. Perhaps he will go on to save or vastly improve the life of someone else someday.
I recall being 17 and punching an opponent in a soccer game because he kept holding onto my shirt and I finally got sick of it. What if he had been seriously injured or died? I had no intent of harming him. I was simply angry and frustrated at the moment and lashed out physically in response to the unwanted physical contact done to me. I got a red card and a further one game suspension. Could I have gotten 3 years in prison? Should I have?
My point is that there obviously need to be consequences for the action, but the question is how harsh. I have not doubt that this 17 year old was upset and wrongfully resorted to violence, yet I also have no doubt that causing serious injury or death was NOT his intent or desire.

[rockyroad]

I can buy that he did not have the intent to kill the man. But he obviously did have the intent to harm, even seriously, the official when he struck him in the face/head. If he lost his temper and wanted only to lash out, then a blow to the stomach would serve that purpose. This kid went for the head.

Do I want him locked away forever? No, of course not. But 3 years max in a juvenile detention facility is not enough for what he did.

[Kelvin green]

Just to clarify, the kid was charged with homicide by assault. Under Utah law that is a zero to five year sentence. Even if he were charged as an adult he would only gotten about the same sentence when evertything was said and done...The prosecution felt that it did nt meet the standard for manslaughter