Sad day on the water

[Faceplant409]

Molarbu, you my friend are a hero!

Thank you for sharing, thank you for having the courage to act instinctively and thank you for being the model that all boaters (humans)should strive to be!

I saw a man die once while I was standing on a street corner. They had just pulled him from under a train that he apparently jumped in front of and were headed for a helicopter parked in the middle of the street... About 30 of us just started crying... Not easy to watch, but apparently his choice. The poor boy in the story did not get to make a choice.

I'm not terribly religious, however I'm pretty sure there will be a nice spot for you 'upstairs' one day....

P

Edited August 26, 2010 by Faceplant409

[burns05]

Thanks for sharing that. I spent two last week looking for a 24 year old boy who jumped offf a pontoon with four other kids at 12:30 at night. He never made it back to the pontoon. It was tough pulling into the dock in the evening see the parents standing there waiting for some news of their child.

[Malibuzer]

Molarbu, I am saddened that you and the family had to be a part of a tragedy. You sound like a great guy and I applaud your efforts.

I for one have never understood the fact that there are people out there that get hammered and drive like Morons...... Although I do think that these are also the type of people who tend to drive that way all the time.

[Molarbu]

The man plead guilty and received a sentence of 41 months in prison. My first reaction was disgust, but I guess now I just hope he is rehabilitated and comes out of there a different person.

[martinarcher]

The man plead guilty and received a sentence of 41 months in prison. My first reaction was disgust, but I guess now I just hope he is rehabilitated and comes out of there a different person.

Man...that just doesn't seem like long enough for what he did. I hope your right and the time in jail turns him into a different person. Lots of time to think about what he did.

[Lance B. Johnson]

I agree....seems like a stiffer sentence would have been appropriate.

[Pistol Pete]

Seems like the casino that gave him the boat on the spot should be held somewhat accountable too. Just like bartenders are sort of accountable. I think that casino needs to stop giving boats away.

[WakingMeHappy]

Seems like the casino that gave him the boat on the spot should be held somewhat accountable too. Just like bartenders are sort of accountable. I think that casino needs to stop giving boats away.

No, but they should provide (require) boater education training at the least.

[wakeboarder3780]

I'm guessing the punishment was lower because he pleaded guilty. It's a cruddy situation all around and I think the correct amount of time in the slammer completely depends on the type of person. I hope he comes out better for it as well, I can't imagine the guilt that would weigh on that person's shoulders. It would be crushing.

[Molarbu]

I'm guessing the punishment was lower because he pleaded guilty. It's a cruddy situation all around and I think the correct amount of time in the slammer completely depends on the type of person. I hope he comes out better for it as well, I can't imagine the guilt that would weigh on that person's shoulders. It would be crushing.

He has a pretty long list of past offenses including DUI's, domestic abuse, speeding, etc. Again, I hope for rehabilitation. The boy's father wants to work with this guy to promote awareness of drunk driving, etc. The boy's family have exhibited class and impeccable character throughout this ordeal.

[TallRedRider]

Molarbu, thanks for sharing. Your writing was very eloquent and easy to see that your heart is in the right place.

[martinarcher]

He has a pretty long list of past offenses including DUI's, domestic abuse, speeding, etc. Again, I hope for rehabilitation. The boy's father wants to work with this guy to promote awareness of drunk driving, etc. The boy's family have exhibited class and impeccable character throughout this ordeal.

I'd like to shake his hand and tell him he is a real man. That is truly awesome.

[Faceplant409]

Who are we kidding??? He's going to come out worse than when he went in. Who's he going to be around for the next 41 months? Criminals. What are they going to discuss for the next 41 months? How to get over on the system or how to get ahead by ANY shortcut available to them legal or not. While DUIs, domestic violence etc. are not light offenses (depending on circumstances...A friend of mine's mother got a Dui with 1 margarita..) In any case now he'll be in with rapists, murderers, white collar crimes, anything and everything you can think of..

Am I off base here?

[jetskipro550]

He has a pretty long list of past offenses including DUI's, domestic abuse, speeding, etc. Again, I hope for rehabilitation. The boy's father wants to work with this guy to promote awareness of drunk driving, etc. The boy's family have exhibited class and impeccable character throughout this ordeal.

Reminds me of an episode of Dexter where a guy was on trial for running down some kid while he was drunk. He got away with it and celebrated by getting drunk....so Dexter did what he does best

[Toby]

Who are we kidding??? He's going to come out worse than when he went in. Who's he going to be around for the next 41 months? Criminals. What are they going to discuss for the next 41 months? How to get over on the system or how to get ahead by ANY shortcut available to them legal or not. While DUIs, domestic violence etc. are not light offenses (depending on circumstances...A friend of mine's mother got a Dui with 1 margarita..) In any case now he'll be in with rapists, murderers, white collar crimes, anything and everything you can think of..

Am I off base here?

Fair response, but probably is considering the demographic around here...

People who kill kids dont do so well in prison. An encounter with ' big Bubba' in the showers might sort him out...

[Faceplant409]

Fair response, but probably is considering the demographic around here...

People who kill kids dont do so well in prison. An encounter with ' big Bubba' in the showers might sort him out...

There is a difference between manslaughter and murder or whatever the sentenced him under. ... however he still killed a kid.. accident or not.

All I know is I wouldn't give a squirt of pi$$ to be his a** right now!

[85 Barefoot]

Molarbu, do you know what the minimums/maximum would have been if pled not guilty and was convicted?

[85 Barefoot]

There is a difference between manslaughter and murder or whatever the sentenced him under. ... however he still killed a kid.. accident or not. All I know is I wouldn't give a squirt of pi$$ to be his a** right now!

So is there or is there not a difference?

[Molarbu]

Molarbu, do you know what the minimums/maximum would have been if pled not guilty and was convicted?

Story

The above link lists the counts, but he originally plead not guilty. I couldn't find the previous stories, but at one point there were more charges and a lot more time in jail was on the table. I assume the more severe charges were dropped as part of the plea. He was given pretty much the maximum time for the charges he plead guilty to.

[85 Barefoot]

Well, remorse doesn't bring anyone back, but he did sound sincere. I wonder what Idaho's sentencing guidelines say.

[White Lightning]

First time reading the thread. Absolutely tragic and heartbreaking. We have a zero tolerance for alcohol on our boat regardless if people are driving or not. Drinking and driving of any motorized vehicle just makes zero sense. Take care of yourself Molarbu. Our hearts go out to you.

[Pistol Pete]

PS The drunk guy attempted to flee the scene after the rescue boat left, but he had a hole punched in his gas tank and ran out of fuel after a few hundred yards. Real class act.

Well, remorse doesn't bring anyone back, but he did sound sincere.

Just sayin'.

[85 Barefoot]

I was talking about his quote, not justifying his actions. There's a difference. "just sayin"

[Molarbu]

I was talking about his quote, not justifying his actions. There's a difference. "just sayin"

I see both points made by Barefoot and Pete. His actions of trying to flee the scene were while under the influence of the same things that made him dangerous to begin with and his statement during the sentencing hearing was made while under the weight of facing the friends and family of a 15 year old boy he had killed. I hope for a change in this guy, but history is a consistent teaher:

https://www.idcourts.us/repository/caseHistory.do?roaDetail=yes&schema=NEZ_PERCE&county=Nez+Perce&partySeq=3957&displayName=Higheagle%2C+Gordon+James+Jr

It's a pretty long list of previous offenses.

[85 Barefoot]

I couldn't open the link, but for clarification, I am NOT saying he got any more or less than what he deserved, only that his words sounded sincere. Even if that link shows a long list of prior offenses that has no bearing on the sincerity of his words at this sentencing.