Elderly Driver Who Killed 10 Gets Probation
By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 20) - An 89-year-old man whose car hurtled through a farmers market, killing 10 people, was let off on probation Monday by a judge who said he believed the defendant deserved to go prison but was too ill.
George Russell Weller was convicted Oct. 20 of 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in a case that renewed debate over whether elderly people should lose their driver's licenses.
Weller, confined to a sickbed, was not in court for his sentencing.
Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson said he agreed completely with the jury and called Weller's actions callous and showing "an enormous indifference to human life."
Weller was 86 when his 1992 Buick Le Sabre plowed at freeway speed into the crowded farmers market on July 16, 2003. In addition to the 10 killed, more than 70 people were injured.
Your thoughts on the sentencing of George Weller. Was it fair?
2006-11-20
10:25:10
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11 answers
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asked by
marnefirstinfantry
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Law & Ethics