I don't want to start a big debate... - but this has been bothering me (news)

punkeemunkee'smom wrote: Band Manager Sentenced


I understand that many people lost their lives and I feel for the families. But I have a hard time understanding why this guy has caught all the blame and anger of the families and now the justice system. I am sure that in a tragedy like this you would wish to lay the blame somewhere,but isn't it true that sometimes accidents happen? He did not intentionally set fire to a packed club. Nobody made those people attend the concert that night. I don't know-I guess I feel just as sorry for this manager and his family-I believe he is truly sorry and never intended for anyone to be hurt. I was just looking for other opinions maybe I am missing something in the story....

Our Lil' Family replied: I thought the same thing when I heard about it!

mckayleesmom replied: I was going to say something about this yesterday Abbie. I understand that people are angry and upset by what happened. But what does putting this otherwise good guy in prison do? Nothing. It was an accident. He didn't intentionally kill them. Im sure that the guilt he feels for being the cause is enough. Im also sure that he wasn't the only one that had plans to set off the fireworks.

I think the world is starting to go crazy if you ask me. I don't understand how a guy can unintentionally kill people and get murder charges, but a repeat rapist of molester can go free. Does this make sense? It was an accident...he didn't mean to do it. If they keep charging people for accidents, then we are all going to end up in prison some day.

mckayleesmom replied: Also, do you think this guy really thought people were going to die? He wouldn't have purposely set a deadly chain of reactions in a building that he was still standing in.

punkeemunkee'smom replied:

Exactly!

amynicole21 replied: I sort of agree. But it was negligence, and he should have been more careful and planned it out better. I think that's why the judge reduced his sentance from 10 years to 4. He needed to be punished, but not as severely as originally sentanced. Such a sad situationl

5littleladies replied: I guess the main problem with what happened was that he lit the pyrotechnics without having a permit. Perhaps if he had sought one out he would have been told of the dangers in that particular club and this whole tragedy might have been prevented. I feel terrible for the guy though! He certainly didn't intend for any of this to happen. And for the record, he was charged with involuntary manslaughter which is quite different from murder.

lisar replied: I agree with you. It was a freak accident. I think 4 years is a lil to long for him. He is truly sorry. I dont think he would have done that if he knew the place was going to catch fire. He is sorry for what he done. I think him having to live with what happened for the rest of his life is punishment enough.

C&K*s Mommie replied: That alone says alot about him.

I do not believe in shifting blame onto others, that is why I am glad he stood up and apologized, even though he did little wrong.

I think he is at the forefront of alot of anger and resentment because they are still awaiting the trials of the owner/brothers. Then, is when I think much of the anger and resentment will be directed at them. This man is the first of the three charged parties, and it is possible that the families had to have someplace to disperse their grief and heartaches turned fury. It will be interesting to see if the other two stand up, like this man had the courage to do.

If I were in those families positions I would have to have an outlet too. I do not know how I would feel. I would like to sit here and say that I would not judge, and I would forgive another for harming my loved one(s), but I do not know for certain how I would feel. Can you truly blame the families for directing their anger somewhere? IDK.... I would probably be just as beside myself with grief as they are. I just do not know.

jcc64 replied: Ita, Abbie, I was listening to his sentencing yesterday, and the victims' families reactions, and I honestly felt that the sentence was too harsh. I sympathize wholeheartedly with the loss and grief that the families must feel, but "revenge" is not going to take any of that away, and I think society does not benefit in any way from this man's incarceration.

CantWait replied:
ITA, although I feel bad for him. He should have been more careful in the planning and making sure that the soundproofing was fireproof, and placed at a safe distance. A permit and a visit from fire inspections before hand could have prevented this tragedy.

My2Beauties replied: I'm with you guys on this, I hope and pray he does not have to serve the entire 4 years and gets out sooner. Putting him in prison will not solve anything and you could tell by watching his sentencing yesterday that he was extremely sorry for what had happened. The poor man probably relives the entire tragedy in his head everyday of his life as it is, putting him in prison doesnt bring anyone back and does nothing but place blame on an innocent man!

BAC'sMom replied:

I totally agree!

luvmykids replied:
I'm not asking to argue, I honestly don't know. Shouldn't that have been on the owners?

I agree that the grieving families wanted somewhere to place blame and he was a key player in the freak accident, but I can't imagine what that man lives with every day and don't think incarceration is going to do anything different.

~~*Missi*~~ replied: i know it was a law and order show thats it......

Cece00 replied:
I agree.

Its very sad. He shouldve shown better judgement.

The worst part is I can not imagine HOW I would live with myself if this had happened. Going through the next couple of decades with this on my mind. Horrible.

Cece00 replied:
I could be incorrect but I think that is always the job of the band/band manager.

However, even if it was, the owners didnt check that he had and/or they knew he didnt. They should receive at least the same punishment as the band manager.

salmndr007 replied: I feel the same way. I don't think he intentionally did anything wrong. Maybe it was not the best place for fireworks to be set off, and maybe someone should have noticed that may have happened, but the fact of the matter is that no one did. Apparently it didn't cross anyone's mind.

The things is, take someone who gets into a car accident and the other person dies. The person who cause the accident, even if it was unintentional and there was no drinking or drug use, they still get charged with either vehicular homicide or manslaughter. Yes, so it was an accident, but I think the people effected just want someone to blame and to be punished.

PrairieMom replied:

ashtonsmama replied:

gr33n3y3z replied: He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter counts that accused him of igniting the pyrotechnics without the required permit.



So for that he is paying the price 10 fold

blue72 replied: This is an unfortunate situation. I feel for all the families who lost loved ones and all the parties which blame has been placed. IMO there is no right answer. They were clearly negligent and it cost people their lives. I would hate to serve on a jury for this type of case. There is nothing gained by sending him to jail. Since he plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter was a jail sentence mandatory. I think it is more of a flaw in our judicial system.

my2monkeyboys replied: I agree that he should have some punishment (as should the owners), but that sentence was way too stiff IMO. I also know that usually people only serve about 1/4 of their sentence, so hopefully he will too.

DansMom replied: I agree---I was very troubled by the sentence this morning. I identify just as much with the family of the band manager as I do with the families of those who died in the fire---if he were my brother or son, I would be grieving. I believe one of the band members died as well in that fire. It was a tragedy, and it did come from a mistake in judgment, but a prison sentence serves no purpose, except as a deterrent to others in trying such displays without a permit.

He'll be eligible for parole in a year and a half.