So if you were on this jury...

[Lemon Drop]

In-flight toddler slapper and n-word user Joe Rickey Hundley entered a plea of not guilty today, and will stand trial on assault charges. He admits to the n-word use.
His attorney issued a statement saying that he was grieving and upset when the incident happened, and that he didn't actually hit the child. His only son had OD'd on insulin and he was on the way to have him taken off life support.
He has already been fired from his executive job as a result of this.
That is obviously an emotionally difficult experience, but if you were on this jury, would you let him off the hook for slapping the child? (which several witnesses and the mother say he did.)

He faces a year in jail and $100K fine, potentially.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/man-accused...xpe/nWyTT/

[Chakravartin]

> His attorney issued a statement saying that he was grieving and
> upset when the incident happened...

Ya know... I kinda believe it. His story has been consistent throughout. The original FBI report said that he told them that he was traveling to visit a relative in the hospital or some such.

He's still an a-hole with a history of inappropriate behavior, but if I were on the jury I'd try not to give him jail-time.

[cbelt3]

I would listen to the judge and the testimony and apply the law as I am instructed.
But I'm human too.

[Speedy]

If the facts indicate he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, convict, then let the judge impose the sentence based on all the circumstances. Being a bigot wouldn't influence me.

[Lemon Drop]

I think my compassion is running closer to the young victim in this case. As a Mom I can't imagine my reaction if some stranger slapped my child.
The man certainly deserves sympathy over the situation with his son, but if he was fine at his high profile stressful executive job that day or week, then hauled off and assaulted a crying toddler on a plane, I'm not inclined to give him any pass on the emotional issue.

Regardless of any sentence or conviction, the guy needs help with anger management or alcoholism or whatever the problem may be.

[OWC Jamie]

No Mercy.


90 days community service filling the presidential limo with the proper fuel

[Speedy]

> The man certainly deserves sympathy over the situation with his son, but if he was fine at his high profile stressful executive job that day or week.<

The stress exponentially escalates the closer you get to pulling the plug,

[$tevie]

I really do try not to decide court cases based on what I read in the papers. Or rather, I will form an opinion fairly often because I am only human. But I never delude myself into thinking that reading a paper or watching a news story is anything like sitting in the juror box.

[Surfrider]

You do the crime/you do the time.

Some people think hitting a small person is okay because a big person is upset...think about that.

[Janit]

Like they say to children: if you are upset, don't hit, use your words.