LAist: Judge Unwilling to Imprison Aloof Farmers Market Killer George Weller Despite Admitting that he Deserves Jail

LS

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:25:55 -0800

LAist seems to not understand the legal system we have in America - appear to prescribe to the retributivist theory, which deems punishment the ultimate end. While punishment would make everyone feel a little better, in this case it would not ultimately help society and the judge thought so. The judge was more utilitarian in that he recognized that putting this man in jail would only drain our precious county resources. This man is old, bedridden, and completely out of it - he would not even realize he was in jail. It's probably too much to have you consider legal theory before posting, but judges are bound to consider more than just anger (as justified as it is) but society as a whole.

Evan

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:49:05 -0800

Well at least his healthy surviving family members will get the brunt of the pending lawsuit judgement. I can't imagine any auto insurance policy would cover KILLING 10/INJURING 63 PEOPLE! I figure the suit has got to be asking for at least 50-60 million in damages. I know my insurance company wouldn't pay it....

Johnny

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:41:14 -0800

If no jail time how about some compensation to the people effected by his actions. There has to be some consequence to his actions.

Tristen

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:36:58 -0800

So retarded!!! What the hell is an older man like him, with health problems, doing behind the wheel anyways? Who was the moron that issued his license at the DMV??! OMFG not fair! Ill or not he needs to be punished for his crime.

karl

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:28:33 -0800

He got away with it because he killed pedestrians. In America, especially LA, a pedestrian is equivalent to a Jew in Germany, or a homosexual anywhere.

ManMadeMound

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:21:46 -0800

If this case were slightly different I would be ok with the no jail thing. I mean he still has probation and he is 90 freakin' years old. But the fact that he: A)Never accepted responsibility for it - B) Never said I'm sorry - C) is obviously an ass - makes me feel like he should be in jail. It seems like a dick move to put a 90 year old in jail but this is a time I could understand I think.

AC

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:43:38 -0800

Traditionally, using "Santa Monica" as you do inferred a certain type of liberalism, rooted in the city's now-eroded rent control policies, it's (relative) attitude towards (welcoming or at least accepting) the homeless and even the relative power of the Green Party in city elections. Despite an evolution in the city, there are still those who carelessly refer to it as the People's Republic of Santa Monica. But "Santa Monica" had nothing to do with what the Superior Court decided today. Santa Monica is just where the crime was committed and where the case was heard. This judge represents -- for better or worse -- the County of Los Angeles, not the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica was devasted by the crimes committed at the Farmer's Market. Today's ruling was not a declaration by Santa Monica or Santa Monicans about how the old and white are treated and it's a slur on its diverse and open-minded citizenry to suggest anything else.

Barry

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:30:28 -0800

That's a goddamn travesty!