4 Die in helicopter collision during police chase

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19999896/

So apperently some one wasn't looking where they were going and two news choppers collided in mid air, causing both to crash and kill all four occupants.

The controversy: Authorities are saying that the suspect's choice to flee caused the deaths of the 4 people in the choppers and will probably be charged with their murder.

Do you think this is right or wrong?

My view is that one of the two chopper pilot's inattentiveness contributed directly to the crash and the suspect is not responsible for their death. This could have happened at any time and they're just looking to peg this guy with anything they can. I'm not saying he was running from the cops, but they had 3 or more helicopters in a small airspace trying to cover this story. If safety procedures and guide lines would have been in place about helicopters and spacing and what not, this could have totally been avoided and if they want to press criminal charges, they should go for the people that authorized the helicopters to be in the same airspace...

my $.02

I agree with you VI. They're just looking to blame someone and unfortunately, it's the suspect of the high speed chase.

They're just trying to nail him with anything they can. They don't have anything to give him a murder charge, it would likely be dismissed by the judge.

However if they can prove that one of the reasons he ran from the cops was that he wanted to be on TV then they MIGHT have a case for Manslaughter. BIG MAYBE though...

In the past, if an officer was killed while pursuing a suspect and the suspect was caught, the suspect was usually charged with the officer's death...

This is like that but taking it even one step further since it's not the reporter's job to pursue a fleeing suspect. I'm not trying to detract from their death and it's sad they four people lost their lives, but in all fairness something like this could eventually lead to the following hypothetical scenario:

Say your neighbor dies of a heart attack because you're running a chainsaw in your backyard and the noise startles him. You could be charged with the death of your neighbor.

It's all about setting precedents and everyone knows what a snow ball effect is.

no way will the charge stick.

Now, this is just my personal opinion, and because I am biased because I live in Phoenix, and I knew all 4 of them personally...I think the suspect should be charged with their death. The news reporters were asked by the police to help track him down. So they did. It would be the same thing as if he were to shoot them and kill them.

They were by no means inattentive, and if you were watching the live newscast when it happened, you'd know that. It all unfolded on live TV. I think this was some sort of malfunction, not their lack of attention to other things.

I Have Already Posted This Store

why post something that is already bend posted !

I don't think he should be charged. It is the helicopter pilots' fault's alone. If the guy had shined a laser or light in the pilots eye, that would be one thing.

That's like me seeing a Ferrari driving the other way down the thruway. I turn and look and smash into another car, and kill the passengers. No way is anyone going to side with me if I tried to blame the guy driving the Ferrari, and if they did, they should be going to jail with me.

bcooper0125 said:

The news reporters were asked by the police to help track him down. So they did. It would be the same thing as if he were to shoot them and kill them.

Click to expand...

Hmmmmm I'm not sure but that might have a legal effect if they were considered "deputized" However it also opens up the police to liability issues.

edit: nevermind....

bcooper0125 said:

Now, this is just my personal opinion, and because I am biased because I live in Phoenix, and I knew all 4 of them personally...I think the suspect should be charged with their death. The news reporters were asked by the police to help track him down. So they did. It would be the same thing as if he were to shoot them and kill them.

They were by no means inattentive, and if you were watching the live newscast when it happened, you'd know that. It all unfolded on live TV. I think this was some sort of malfunction, not their lack of attention to other things.

Click to expand...

One news report on one of the big news channels (CNN, MSNBC, Fox...not sure which) said that is was because of that and that there was no apparent equipment malfunctions. They said that there may be future requirements of having a "spotter" and that if that was the case in this situation, then the crash probably wouldn't have happened.

That's were I got my info...

And if it was an equipment malfunction, then they should definitely not charge the suspect as he had nothing to do with that.

The_Mini_Rigs said:

why post something that is already bend posted !

Click to expand...

Some one bent my post?

<ralph wiggum voice>I bent my wookie</voice>

WOW, that is a very disturbing accident indeed. but honestly I can't imagine the guy being convicted for it, that would be a bit insane. I agree with Village Idiot.

Yes, it is very unfortunate that this collision took place but to think of just pile charges on the guy, especially 4 murder charges, I think is over the top and there is no way that the charges would stick!

Here's why this would be bad, it would cause a precedent where reporters could charge any accident their involved in on the job to the people they're covering. I'm sure many people have seen videos of popperazi (sp?) falling over when trying to video tape or photograph celebrities. Should those celebrities be accountable for that "reporter" falling? No. And just because the person is doing something illegal doesn't change the facts of how the accident took place.

I don't care what the situation is, if someone is operating a normally operating vehicle in a normal environment (not a cop in a high spped chase or making an illegal move like running a light) and hit someone else, the operator of the vehicle is to blame. I'm very sorry the people died, but you can't shuffle around blame when it's very obvious who is at fault.

I understand the situation with police who are in accidents while in pursuit, but the pilots aren't police. And they aren't trained to pursue criminals, so if anyone other than the pilot is to shoulder some blame, it's the police for asking the pilot's assistance and asking them to put themselves in a dangerous position.