Should the DJs from the Morning Rave be held criminally responsible for the water drinking contest?

Question

I live in Sacramento and listened to their morning show. As most people are aware, they held a water drinking contest to determine who could drink the most water without using the bathroom and a woman died from drinking too much. Initially I felt like it was an unfortunate accident, but after listening to the the DJs statements, I'm beginning to think they should be criminally prosecuted.
1. They didn't tell the contestants that there was any chance that they could die.
2. The DJs knew about a pledge who had died from drinking too much water at a frat party and still held the contest.
3. A nurse called to warn them of the dangers and the DJs responded by saying, "Don't worry about it. They signed the release so we're not responsible."

I've gone to Lukas, Maney, and Trish's (the DJs) myspace pages and all these people are telling them how sorry they feel for the DJs and how the lady should have known better. I was stunned that people blame the station and the lady, but not the DJs

I've seen a couple of people reiterate what I saw on Lukas, Maney, and Trish's (the DJs) myspace pages by saying the girl (who was 28 years old) needs to take responsibility for her actions.

I'm a bit torn because I see where people are coming from. I think we are all sick of seeing people sue Starbucks because their coffee was too hot or McDonald's because their food is fattening. But in this case, this woman was never informed that she could be harmed. I would definitely agree that she is at fault if the station had told her she could get sick or die and she still decided to enter the contest.

I'm just glad that most people agree that the DJs should be prosecuted. I liked listening to their show, but I was disgusted by the comments I saw on their myspace pages. I recognize that it's their friends and fans leaving comments, but to say, "I'm going to be praying for you guys to get your jobs back" or "It's not your fault, so don't feel bad" was shocking to say the least.

Answer 1

I'm with you. I heard clips of that show and the DJ's used TERRIBLE judgement on this one.

When they stated that "they signed a release so we're not responsible" - I'd like to know what lawyer approved this stunt? All radio stations have to go through their legal department to get approval before they do anything!

The DJ's were making fun of the nurse who called in and even called it Water Intoxication - asking participants if anyone has dropped dead yet. An intern even told the woman who died that her headache was normal and she'd throw up the water soon. How horrible!

Answer 2

Bodie, I too live in Sacramento and have been following this story since last week.....I can totally ephathize with you as I also am completly torn......BUT, I know all of the parties involved as I used to work on the show.....I think criminal charges are definitely a bit extreme, I mean really at what point should the person take responsibilities for their actions? BUT, I agree there are suppossed to be several layers of management and radio personnel that a required to run these ideas for promotions through their various legal departments just to make sure that something like this does not happen. So, as I mentioned before I worked with the show before and I know everyone quite well.....I hate to see this debacle of news mongering get them into legal troubles.....It should squarely rest on the shoulders of Steve Weed the programming director (fired) Robin Peccota the promotions coordinator (fired) John Geery the general manager of Entercom, and the company of Entercom as a whole....these are the people who should be held accountable at the highest levels. I do hope that as time goes by people begin to fully understand that these sort of contests have been done hundreds if not thousands of times, safely, this was a freak accident and not anything done intentionally, no matter how careless or idiotic the Djs were in their "on - air" comments, they did not want to kill anyone. They all have families and lives to live....just like you.

Answer 3

I once did a caramel apple eating contest for a big group. We got three jock type volunteers. The apples were on a table 50 yards from the guys. They had to run down and whoever ate the apple first won. The catch was that it was actually a caramel onion. I still laugh every time I remember that day 30 years ago. I feel a little bad about it but it was really funny. If you can get the guys out of the room and clue the rest of the group into what's happening they'll all be rolling on the floor.

Answer 4

I don't know. I'm kinda torn on this myself. I live in Sacramento, and I happen to be a radio DJ myself. Different station of course. After hearing the statements the DJs made, I definitely thought they should be fired. The contest was a stupid idea in the first place. We would never put our listeners in jeopardy like that.

Personally, I know better than to drink large amounts of water like that. I watch the news. I heard about the guy who died at Chico state from water intoxication. But, apparently she didn't know. It was their responsibility to let the participants of the contest know the dangers that could happen.

I don't really know all of the details in how the law works...or even if they can be held criminally responsible. They didn't intend to kill anyone. But, they should be held financially responsible. And I think its safe to say their radio careers are over.

Answer 5

The whole situation is crazy. I think everybody needs to take responsibility for this one. I don't know if it was the DJ's who actually chose this contest or somebody else who works for the station, but they REALLY need to do their research before deciding on something like this. Before any contest you'd think a station would take the responsibility and do ANY kind of research, health, legal, ramifications, etc. It's just common sense. They really should have listen to the nurse that called in, but sometimes when you are a DJ with your own show you are "above" the caller.

Answer 6

Yes, those morning DJs and their radio station are jointly and severably liable, both criminally and civily. That woman's family should sue all of them and I hope she prevails. Also, there is grounds for the Sacramento DA to prosecute them for reckless endangerment.

They certainly should have known that there is a risk of injury and death from drinking large amounts of water and not urinating. Even if they communicated the possiblity of this danger to the contestants (and I've seen no evidence that they did) they are still liable, and I hope they recieve the maximum civil and criminal penalties permitted by law!

Answer 7

It was in bad taste .The station manager and the broadcasting company shouldn't have condoned the stunt - but when are individuals going to take responsibility for their actions ?
While I don't know if the show caters to kids or adults ; nor do I know the age of the unfortunate victim- all I can say is, if the DJ's knowingly told impressionable kids to do something potentially harmful - then yes, they need to accept some responsibility . In the same vein- if somebody tells you to take a long walk off a short pier , what are you going to do ?

Answer 8

I think the DJ's acted irresponsibly, however, if the people were stupid enough to do this then......aren't we all actually responsible for our own actions? I realize that the current generation is the "it's not my fault" generation but...come on....Just look at all the stupid reality shows where they make the contestant eat bugs or whatever. But, like I said I don't think the people who were looking for a few minutes of fame and a prize are not culpable for their own actions but I do think the radio personalities should have used a lot more common sense and should be held accountable for their own actions.

Answer 9

Yeah, I lean towards thinking they should be held criminally responsible. Although I don't want to put blame on the lady in any way - It does make me question what we've come to in this society. Why has it become so important to us to have THINGS - so important that we participate in stunts like this. It's sad that there's such pressure as a parent to provide your kids with all of these things. Ultimately our values have shifted so terribly that it's just all out of control. This whole situation is so sad, but if the DJs knew it had led to death for someone else, yes, they and the station who allowed them to have the contest should be held criminally responsible. It's not murder, but it is some form of manslaughter I think. My personal opinion.

Answer 10

Oh yeah! They should be prosecuted, and do 10 - 20 in the big house! They knew. They made damning statements, and were laughing about not being responsible, even during the contest. And, during the contest, a nurse warned them again.

Why does everyone assume the victim had to know? I didn't know, and I think I am fairly intelligent. I thought that if you drink too much water, you throw up.