Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Cop Surrenders After Son, 5, Shoots Self With His Gun
WTAE ^ | January 20, 2011 | Unknown

Posted on 02/04/2011 7:10:58 PM PST by Immerito

Cop Surrenders After Son, 5, Shoots Self With His Gun

Death Of Gavin Thompson Under Investigation In Liberty

PITTSBURGH -- A suburban police officer in Allegheny County surrendered Wednesday afternoon to face charges connected to the death of his young son, who investigators believe accidentally killed himself with the officer's gun.

(Excerpt) Read more at wtae.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: donutwatch; johnthompson; pennsylvania; pittsburgh; policeofficer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last
To: Wicket
I personally think it is not a crime..I think criminalizing a mistake that leads to tragedy

How about a Mom that forgets and leaves her baby in a the car in the middle of summer?

How about parents leaving prescription drugs within reach of a toddler and the toddler eats them and dies?

No crime?

21 posted on 02/04/2011 9:20:58 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: rbg81
He was definitely careless with a firearm. Putting a loaded gun in a cabinet where you keep snacks is a bad idea when you have young children. His wife also hid Christmas presents in the same cabinet. I'm not saying he should go to prison but he should have done a better job protecting his kids from danger.
22 posted on 02/04/2011 9:21:03 PM PST by peeps36 (America is being destroyed by filthy traitors in the political establishment)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Wicket

How about a Mom that forgets and leaves her baby in a the car in the middle of summer?

How about parents leaving prescription drugs within reach of a toddler and the toddler eats them and dies?

No crime?

How about the kid wanders into the pool and drowns while the folks gab on cell phones and sip cool ones?

No crime?


23 posted on 02/04/2011 9:26:12 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Immerito

He’s done the right thing and barring any further information I say accidents are accidents.

If he left it loaded and accessible he is certainly guilty of criminal negligence. However as a juror I’d believe his punishment is greater than any I could mete out.


24 posted on 02/04/2011 9:30:18 PM PST by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EDINVA

“I’d make a terrible juror in a case like either of these, I just don’t think I could inflict further punishment on the parent or the family.”

Actually I think you’d make an excellent juror. You are his peer. You put yourself in his shoes and decide what is right.


25 posted on 02/04/2011 9:31:17 PM PST by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

“No crime? “

I can understand an investigation and even a trial if necessary to determine if it was deliberate or accidental.

Personally I don’t think real accidents without a person deliberately making themselves forgetful with drugs or alcohol should be punished. Suppose I slipped down the stairs and landed on a kid and killed him? It was an accident. No criminal intent, no crime, in my opinion.


26 posted on 02/04/2011 9:34:10 PM PST by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Persevero

Well, jurors are supposed to be objective and follow the instructions from the judge. I would so be in the father’s shoes! Jury nullification?

Having kids, and the responsibility that comes with it, is so weighty, only God’s good grace can get us (and them) safely through it. I loved every minute of raising my kids, but can’t say I could go through it again. Right now I’m just glad they’re adults!


27 posted on 02/04/2011 9:40:19 PM PST by EDINVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Persevero
Personally I don’t think accidents should be punished

So if I simply forget to notice a red light, and kill you and your your entire family, I should not be punished?

Is there a such thing as neglect or negligence?

If my 7 year old daughter is over for sleep over, and you decide to gab on the phone, just forgetting about the youngsters, and my daughter drowns in your pool, should you not be held responsible?

28 posted on 02/04/2011 9:40:55 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

So if I simply forget to notice a red light, and kill you and your your entire family, I should not be punished?

Is there a such thing as neglect or negligence?

If my 7 year old daughter is over for sleep over, and you decide to gab on the phone, just forgetting about the youngsters, and my daughter drowns in your pool, should you not be held responsible?

Why did you change what Persevero actually wrote: “Personally I don’t think real accidents without a person deliberately making themselves forgetful with drugs or alcohol should be punished. Suppose I slipped down the stairs and landed on a kid and killed him? It was an accident. No criminal intent, no crime, in my opinion.” ?

You omitted the word “real” and ignored the example of a real accident that he gave.

In your first example, the person driving made a decision to run the red light. This is not in the same category, morally, as a person who slips on the stairs, landing on a child and killing him/her in the process.

In your second example, the adult in charge chose to pay more attention to the phone than to the children in his/her charge. This is not in the same category, morally, as a person who slips on the stairs, landing on a child and killing him/her in the process.


29 posted on 02/04/2011 9:55:40 PM PST by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Immerito
In your first example, the person driving made a decision to run the red light

Learn to read.

I said, if I simply forget to notice a red light, and killed you and your your entire family, I should not be punished?

Yes or no?

30 posted on 02/04/2011 10:01:38 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Immerito
If my 7 year old daughter is over for sleep over, and you decide to gab on the phone, just forgetting about the youngsters, and my daughter drowns in your pool, should you not be held responsible?

Yes or no?

31 posted on 02/04/2011 10:02:38 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Immerito

Is there a such thing as criminal neglect or criminal negligence?

Yes or no?


32 posted on 02/04/2011 10:04:32 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

I see the difference here as to punishment.

If the perp kills another family or your family, yes, I can see prosecution.

If his own son is dead, he has been punished far beyond any punishment I could mete out already.


33 posted on 02/04/2011 10:05:44 PM PST by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Persevero; Immerito
Suppose I slipped down the stairs and landed on a kid and killed him? It was an accident.

You would likely not be charge here. This should be obvious. lol

34 posted on 02/04/2011 10:08:40 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Persevero

Gezzz...

Why do I bother....Here, you can have this thread....

Damn!


35 posted on 02/04/2011 10:10:47 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

I’m not aware of any state where “forget to notice” is an acceptable legal defense. It remains a violation of law.


36 posted on 02/04/2011 10:11:02 PM PST by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

“You would likely not be charge here. This should be obvious. lol “

Well I hope not. I would feel horrible, though, and it is hard to imagine that I would not be permanently emotionally scarred from it. It is hard to imagine getting over that.

My point is, accidents don’t need to be prosecuted as crimes. There is a world of difference, even though poor victims can end up just as dead. I agree there is criminal negligence, but I think the punishments need to consider what punishment the negligent has already suffered.


37 posted on 02/04/2011 10:12:41 PM PST by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

When you make the decision to get behind the wheel, you are legally culpable for any laws you break. Not paying attention while driving IS making a decision to pay attention to something else.

Why did you alter his quote and deliberately omit the word “real”? Why are you attempting to compare apples to oranges?


38 posted on 02/04/2011 10:13:15 PM PST by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Immerito

You give everyone legal advise here, you’re the expert...

See ya!


39 posted on 02/04/2011 10:15:38 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

I regret that you were unwilling to answer my questions. Perhaps if you decide to revisit this thread despite your claimed departure, you will decide to explain why you altered what Persevero stated in his post.


40 posted on 02/04/2011 11:09:04 PM PST by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson