Heatley returns to the ice for the Sens

[Limey32]

I have been watching the highlights tonight, and saw that Mr. Heatley returned from almost a month off from injury and scored 2 goals and an assist. The sports shows are going on and on about how wonderful this is for him, and the Sens, and the game. Oh my, the Sens needed this shot in the arm etc.

Now while I admit he is a great player, and used to be a favorite of mine. (Even as a Leaf fan) I find it incredibily disturbing that he is even allowed to walk the streets.. let alone make mega millions playing hockey. Am I missing something, or did he not drive drunk, wreck his car and kill his friend?

Name a single average Joe that would have his freedom after that, let alone be made out to be some kind of hero, and making more money per game than most people make in a year? How can anybody cheer for this killer? He should be booed off the ice any time he dares to go near it.

Why is this killer enjoying a mega rich lifestyle, when he drove drunk and killed a fellow player? Thoughts?

[Mischief007]

Because he is a celebrity...

He should have been punished much harsher because as you and I know, the average Joe's life would have been pretty much devastated.

[Peter]

Get your facts straight before you post garbage.

Heatley Receives Probation for Deadly Accident


Saturday, February 5, 2005;

Graham Snyder lost his son when Atlanta Thrashers star Dany Heatley crashed a convertible while speeding on a winding road. The father asked an Atlanta judge yesterday not to compound that loss by putting Heatley in jail.
The judge honored the request, sentencing Heatley to three years' probation after he pleaded guilty to charges in the death of teammate Dan Snyder.

"Forgiveness in our hearts has helped us move on," Graham Snyder said. "We forgive because Dany has shown remorse to our family."
Judge Rowland Barnes acknowledged the father's support for Heatley, though he noted, "I don't know that I could do this if I were you."

Heatley also was ordered to give 150 public speeches about the dangers of speeding. In exchange for his plea, the only felony charge -- first-degree vehicular homicide -- was dropped along with a charge of reckless driving.
"The mistake I made that night was speeding," Heatley said at his sentencing. "This mistake will stay with me the rest of my life."

Heatley pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide, driving too fast for conditions, failure to maintain a lane and speeding for the Sept. 29, 2003, crash in Atlanta.

The MVP of the 2003 NHL All-Star Game, Heatley was driving his Ferrari on a curved road in a residential area when it ran into a brick pillar and iron fence. Authorities said Heatley had consumed some alcohol but was not intoxicated. Snyder, a passenger, died after several days in a coma. He was 25.

[T_Totler]

Well, maybe he was not intoxicated in a legal sense (i.e. he was under the legal BAC limit), but many studies have shown that you can be "intoxicated" with as little as .02 in your system.

[eddyk]

...How can anybody cheer for this killer? He should be booed off the ice any time he dares to go near it.

Why is this killer enjoying a mega rich lifestyle, when he drove drunk and killed a fellow player? Thoughts?

If your a Leaf fan with an ax to grind, why don't you start with Mark Bell.

Being a star hockey player in Atlanta, Georgia (or any southern state) does not carry that much weight when it comes to the law. (Look how Doug Gilmour got hounded out of St. Louis over the allegations over statutory rape.) A probationary sentence for an isolated incidence of vehicular homicide when it does not include DUI is not that unusual (1) (http://www.topgun-lawyer.com/veh_homicide.htm).

[T_Totler]

Why is this killer enjoying a mega rich lifestyle, when he drove drunk and killed a fellow player? Thoughts?
Not all "celebrities" get away with it...

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/295218

[tweakthis]

It's not only celebs that have been forgiven and provided lesser sentences. There are scores of stories of young people who have made more of a difference through community service and speaking to their peers about the dangers of drinking and driving. Heatley appears to have kept his nose clean since that tragic day. He's certainly not a 'bad boy' in the Ottawa newspapers.

Imho, justice was best served by that judge.

[T_Totler]

It's not only celebs that have been forgiven and provided lesser sentences. There are scores of stories of young people who have made more of a difference through community service and speaking to their peers about the dangers of drinking and driving. Heatley appears to have kept his nose clean since that tragic day. He's certainly not a 'bad boy' in the Ottawa newspapers.

Imho, justice was best served by that judge.
The problem is that the Criminal Code sentences are extremely weak to begin with.

If I had my way, there would be mandatory sentences (with NO parole) of at least 10 years for Vehicular Homicide and a permanent ban on driving for this kind of recklessness. Driving is a privilege, not a right.

This is the only way to send a message to others who think they can get away this kind of reckless behaviour. Heatley could have injured / killed an innocent pedestrian walking his/her dog.

Limey is right. The "average Joe" would never get the kind of slap-on-the-wrist treatment that Heatley got.

[eddyk]

As I already pointed out above, it is in the judges discretion to give probationary sentences for vehicular homicide.

Insisting on manditory sentences for any crime thus restricting the ability of judges to use their own discretion does not give any society a better justice system.

There is no proof anywhere that Dany Heatly got any special treatment because he is a star hockey player. Now if you would like to produce some, I would be happy to look at it. But until then, I think you are just emitting so much hot air.

[T_Totler]

As I already pointed out above, it is in the judges discretion to give probationary sentences for vehicular homicide.
The reason why judges use their so-called "discretion" is simply because our weak Criminal Code allows them to do so.

Mandatory sentences would fix that.

Eddyk, with all due respect, we all know you're a bleeding heart NDP'er so I'll disregard your last comment ;)

[eddyk]

Just as I disregard everything you say because, without proof, it is just so much hot air from another member of the ignoranti.

[T_Totler]

There is no proof anywhere that Dany Heatly got any special treatment because he is a star hockey player. Now if you would like to produce some, I would be happy to look at it. But until then, I think you are just emitting so much hot air.
So, are you saying that if Dany Heatly was just an average working stiff instead of a rich and famous hockey player, he would have been treated the same?

[eddyk]

Yes I do.

If you had taken time to research the case instead of rushing to judgement based on no informatiion, you would have learned that even the prosecuting District Attorney thought the judge's decision was fair.(1) (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/02/04/heatley050204.html)

[Limey32]

You know, that article only enforces what I already mentioned in the OP. His "Lawyers" spent months trying to plea bargain.. well, right there... :) If it were me, or most other people, I would be very lucky to have a court appointed lawyer, let alone my own personal team of no doubt high priced attorneys. :) Second, the Synder family didn't want Heatley to go to jail. Wow, really? After killing their son? I wonder what could have brought them to that selfless, all forgiving decision? Couldn't possibly have been a private deal from Dany to keep them fat in the wallet for life, now could it?

I stand by what I said. If it were me, you can bet your butt I would be doing at least 5 years in jail. Just fact.

[eddyk]

Again more groundless accusations based on nothing.

Yes, it is true that if you go to court, it is necessary to get the best legal consul possible. That is just a fact of life. But that does not mean that Dany Heatley received preferentiel treatment because he is a star hockey player.

And you still have not answered my question posted above. Do you also feel the same way about Mark Bell playing for the Leafs?

[Limey32]

As a matter of fact I do.. and I think he should be in jail right now, not be allowed to play out the season first.. that is just mad. :) There. ;)

[T_Totler]

Yes I do.

If you had taken time to research the case instead of rushing to judgement based on no informatiion, you would have learned that even the prosecuting District Attorney thought the judge's decision was fair.(1) (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/02/04/heatley050204.html)
Just because the D.A. "thinks" it was fair does NOT make it so. What kind of message does that send to youngsters out there who idolize these guys?

[eddyk]

Well if the prosecuting attorney representing the state of Georgia is satisfied with the sentence and the family of the victim is satisfied with the sentence, then who besides you and Limey32 are not satisfied that justice has been served. I do not see any populist groundswell of anger over this the judges's decision. Is there a "Dany Heatley must be punished some more" website that I do not know about?

Furthermore, the court recognized that as an sports athlete, he is a role model for young people. That is why part of his sentence was to give 50 public speeches a year for the three years of his probation (150 in trotal) on the dangers of speeding.

[Limey32]

Well sir, you have only proved that you are a part of the problem with the justice system as it stands. You sound like Heatley's father. If you are, good for you. If not, shame on you for supporting rich people getting away with crimes.. shame, shame shame. Actually, your constant defense of his actions stating that the law found it ok.. makes me sick to my stomach.

[quarterback22]

Well if the prosecuting attorney representing the state of Georgia is satisfied with the sentence and the family of the victim is satisfied with the sentence, then who besides you and Limey32 are not satisfied that justice has been served. I do not see any populist groundswell of anger over this the judges's decision. Is there a "Dany Heatley must be punished some more" website that I do not know about?

Furthermore, the court recognized that as an sports athlete, he is a role model for young people. That is why part of his sentence was to give 50 public speeches a year for the three years of his probation (150 in trotal) on the dangers of speeding.

1 question. if mr. heatley had not been drinking and driving that day would Mr. snyder be alive and playing hockey today also??????? I think the punishment should fit the crime and i dont agree Mr. heatley was punished fairly. but i accept the judgement even though i dont think it was correct or fair

[eddyk]

But Heatley had only a tiny ammount of alcohol in his system. Certainly nothing to impair his ability to drive.

Essentially what you had here is a very young man with a lot of money who was showing off his brand new sportscar (a ferrari f360 Spider (http://event108.team2hoernchen.de/bild-preview-5732.jpg)), a car that was notorious for unstable handling at high speeds (http://blog.kornemuz.com/images/200701/20070105a.jpg) and is no longer in production, to his best friend.

The defense, the prosecution and the family of the victim were all satisfied with the judges decision in this case.