BREAKING - Houston News Chopper has crashed, two dead

[therock1811]

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=6446793
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/ ... 3e52f.html

Oh no...

[TexasStooge]

There was a similar situation in Dallas/Fort Worth where 2 TV choppers collided many years ago.

Many thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those killed in this incident.

[Aslkahuna]

Same thing also happened in Phoenix a couple years ago when two news choppers covering a high speed chase collided. One was transmitting at the time and the collision was seen by viewers. The driver of the running vehicle was caught and under AZ law was charged with Murder since people died as a result of his commiting a felony.

Steve

[Cryomaniac]

The driver of the running vehicle was caught and under AZ law was charged with Murder since people died as a result of his commiting a felony.

That's a little harsh in my opinion, but that's not relevant.

Sad news about what happened in this case.

[AJC3]

The driver of the running vehicle was caught and under AZ law was charged with Murder since people died as a result of his commiting a felony.

Steve

Yeah, I remember that taking place. Tragic indeed. However, that's an extremely wide and unfair interpretation of the law. I can see that statute being applicable if the guy directly caused someone to die in a traffic accident during the chase (sideswipe, running off the road, etc.). I can also see it being applicable if the helicopters were from the CHP or County SO for the purpose of apprehension of the perp. But news choppers up there, of their own volition, serving no real essential public service by covering the chase, and crashing because the pilots failed to maintain visual separation and ran into each other? I'm not buying it.

[sarc]
I mean, let's say I was watching the chase on TV, and my satellite dish stops working. I go up on the roof to fix it, and...OOPS...I fall off the roof, break my neck and die. Should he be charged with Murder? I mean it was his felony chase that caused me to go up on my roof, which resulted in my death.[/sarc]

[Aslkahuna]

In the second instance, the law would not apply but it is the law in Arizona though prosecutors do have some leeway in how they prosecute it. It also depends upon the class of felonies committed that count and whether or not the perp was armed. In this case, the perp was a total loser and he was armed so they threw the book at him. The law may seem harsh but the majority of voters in AZ wanted it that way.

Steve

[AJC3]

In the second instance, the law would not apply but it is the law in Arizona though prosecutors do have some leeway in how they prosecute it. It also depends upon the class of felonies committed that count and whether or not the perp was armed. In this case, the perp was a total loser and he was armed so they threw the book at him. The law may seem harsh but the majority of voters in AZ wanted it that way.

Steve

I'd be interested in seeing the text of the statute. If it's as broadly written as I suspect it might be, then I'll wager a dinner that a good lawyer - (maybe even the PD working pro bono that I'm sure he has) would be able to get him off the hook. I don't see how the DA could show cause in this case. Fleeing arrest in and of itself doesn't seem like it's enough to prove cause, considering that the news choppers were likely up there for the purpose of following the chase. I'm sure the defense will throw the fact that there were at least 3 news choppers following the chase...and portray the media as purient risk-taking voyeurs in a "if it bleeds it leads" tabloid news culture that put themselves in danger.

But first things first...I'd need to see that exact text of the law.

Did some snooping on the Maricopa County COC site...seems his trial is scheduled to start November 5th.

[Ptarmigan]

It is sad. I liked Dave Garrett's comments while on air. He did the news as if he did with lightning precision and strength. He will truly be the eye of the sky.

[Ptarmigan]

Same thing also happened in Phoenix a couple years ago when two news choppers covering a high speed chase collided. One was transmitting at the time and the collision was seen by viewers. The driver of the running vehicle was caught and under AZ law was charged with Murder since people died as a result of his commiting a felony.

Steve

It happened in 2007. I remember it well.