Norwegian student risks 35 years in jail in the US - made a wrong turn | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

12 years ago

Looks like the other thread got deleted?

Anyway, I read the other one. Taking this story at face value, it is obviously a travesty of justice. Mark had suggested contacting the Governor. In addition, others you want to contact are:

The District Attorney's office of Navajo County - they are the attorneys prosecuting the case and they have full discretion of which cases they choose to prosecute - sounds like it may be a bit late, but the DA of that county most likely is elected and won't want bad publicity. http://www.navajocountyaz.gov/attorney/
The Navajo County Sheriff, as they are the arresting officers who filed the initial charges and the Sheriff is probably elected, so bad publicity is something he would want to avoid. http://www.navajocountyaz.gov/sheriff/
The Mayor of Winslow - although s/he would have no ability to override the county, it happened in that town. http://www.ci.winslow.az.us/
Both US Senators for Arizona in Washington DC. U.S. Senate
The US House Representative for that district in Washington DC. The United States House of Representatives · House.gov
The State of Arizona Legislature Senator. Arizona State Legislature
The two State of Arizona Legislature Representatives. Arizona State Legislature

One last thing you can do is try to find out who the people that got their toes run over were. Because of the location, there is a good chance they might be members of the Navajo Nation. Although it did not happen on the Reservation and there is nothing they can do, their members might be involved. Even if they aren't, they might be persuaded to rally some support. Navajo Nation

Again, I am accepting this story at face value at this point, so there is a list of some folks you can shoot some emails off to in order to bring some attention to this situation. You can post them on the Facebook page as well, so others can do the same.

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taskemann

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Christopher Fox

Looks like the other thread got deleted?

Anyway, I read the other one. Taking this story at face value, it is obviously a travesty of justice. Mark had suggested contacting the Governor. In addition, others you want to contact are:

The District Attorney's office of Navajo County - they are the attorneys prosecuting the case and they have full discretion of which cases they choose to prosecute - sounds like it may be a bit late, but the DA of that county most likely is elected and won't want bad publicity. Navajo County ~ County Attorney
The Navajo County Sheriff, as they are the arresting officers who filed the initial charges and the Sheriff is probably elected, so bad publicity is something he would want to avoid. Navajo County Sheriff
The Mayor of Winslow - although s/he would have no ability to override the county, it happened in that town. Welcome
Both US Senators for Arizona in Washington DC. U.S. Senate
The US House Representative for that district in Washington DC. The United States House of Representatives · House.gov
The State of Arizona Legislature Senator. Arizona State Legislature
The two State of Arizona Legislature Representatives. Arizona State Legislature

One last thing you can do is try to find out who the people that got their toes run over were. Because of the location, there is a good chance they might be members of the Navajo Nation. Although it did not happen on the Reservation and there is nothing they can do, their members might be involved. Even if they aren't, they might be persuaded to rally some support. Navajo Nation

Again, I am accepting this story at face value at this point, so there is a list of some folks you can shoot some emails off to in order to bring some attention to this situation. You can post them on the Facebook page as well, so others can do the same.

Thank you for the resources and the information!

Yes, Mark have contacted the governor of Arizona and I have contacted Navajo County.

The other thread got deleted. I don't know why...

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raymol

12 years ago

where's the story? I want to read it

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Christopher Fox 12 years ago

Originally Posted by raymol

where's the story? I want to read it

Click the Facebook page link in taskemann's sig.
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taskemann

12 years ago

I have also contacted the sheriff to hear his site of the story.

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Dave Patterson

12 years ago

I highly doubt an arrest was made SIMPLY because of a wrong turn...I guarantee you there's more to the story.

This young man seems to have a history of issues. He came all the way to the US to study because he was "bullied' in school in Norway...really?

This young man was also suspended from the University of South Alabama due to discinplinary(sp?) problems.

He later showed up in Illinois. Why?

A young girls parents from Mobile, AL say it is because he was "stalking" their young daughter and they had moved to Illinois in order to "shake" the guy...

He also sued the parents due to the fact that the mother spotted him on the sidewalk near their home and she tried to beat the crap out of him.

Anyway...I believe there is more to the story than simply he is being "wronged" for making a wrong turn.

We'll see...

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taskemann

12 years ago

I know you Americans don't tolerate criticism and must remain perfect no matter what. That's why the other thread about this got deleted. But I don't deny that there may be more behind the story.

The reason why he got kicked out of the University of South Alabama was because foreign biochemistry students were not allowed to study anymore in the U.S. after 9/11 because they could be a threat to the U.S. when they had access to bacterias and viruses.

In fact he was one of their top students, and he were on the university's honor list while he studied there.

Originally Posted by Dave Patterson

I highly doubt an arrest was made SIMPLY because of a wrong turn...I guarantee you there's more to the story.

This young man seems to have a history of issues. He came all the way to the US to study because he was "bullied' in school in Norway...really?

This young man was also suspended from the University of South Alabama due to discinplinary(sp?) problems.

He later showed up in Illinois. Why?

A young girls parents from Mobile, AL say it is because he was "stalking" their young daughter and they had moved to Illinois in order to "shake" the guy...

He also sued the parents due to the fact that the mother spotted him on the sidewalk near their home and she tried to beat the crap out of him.

Anyway...I believe there is more to the story than simply he is being "wronged" for making a wrong turn.

We'll see...

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Dave Patterson

12 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

I know you Americans don't tolerate criticism and must remain perfect no matter what. That's why the other thread about this got deleted. But I don't deny that there may be more behind the story.

The reason why he got kicked out of the University of South Alabama was because foreign biochemistry students were not allowed to study anymore in the U.S. after 9/11 because they could be a threat to the U.S. when they had access to bacterias and viruses.

In fact he was one of their top students, and he were on the university's honor list while he studied there.

Now Jimmy, I've never had any kind of issue with you but that was a totally ignorant thing to say.

I don't like seeing anybody wronged any more than you do. And I mean ANYBODY.

All I said was...I believe we'll find that there's more to the story than just "Innocent little Johnny made a wrong turn and now they want to throw him in prison..."

The reason I say that is because from what I've been able to find so far I would define his character as...questionable.

I would say the same thing even if he was my own brother.

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taskemann

12 years ago

Yes it was, and I apologize. I didn't mean to hurt you personally, but lay out a viewpoint about a tendency I've noticed by Americans over the years. I formulated me wrong and I really apologize, I saw it now.

I was also irritated that my other thread was deleted, and it has nothing to do with you.

But thank you for the information you have provided me with about John. It looks like Norwegian and American media contradict each other a little bit in these cases. But what's true or not, the involved parts knows best and that's something I shouldn't determine.

Originally Posted by Dave Patterson

Now Jimmy, I've never had any kind of issue with you but that was a totally ignorant thing to say.

I don't like seeing anybody wronged any more than you do. And I mean ANYBODY.

All I said was...I believe we'll find that there's more to the story than just "Innocent little Johnny made a wrong turn and now they want to throw him in prison..."

The reason I say that is because from what I've been able to find so far I would define his character as...questionable.

I would say the same thing even if he was my own brother.

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Kay King

12 years ago

This thread is ridiculous - as are the comments about people in the US.

You want to find the REAL story here? Go to the link below....and while you are there note the story is from 2001.

Jazzcorner's Speakeasy Archive

How many gullible people here shot off emails complaining about this?

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Christopher Fox

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

This thread is ridiculous - as are the comments about people in the US.

You want to find the REAL story here? Go to the link below....and while you are there note the story is from 2001.

Jazzcorner's Speakeasy Archive

How many gullible people here shot off emails complaining about this?

This is what I pulled from it:

However, University of South Alabama official Keith Ayers has since told Aftenposten Interactive that the Norwegian student had been "involved in serious misconduct (and) disciplined for that reason". He said Kristoffer Larsgard was suspended - not expelled - by a committee of faculty and student peers until the end of next summer semester, because he had on several occasions presented as a "threat to himself and others".

Hardly the real story and doesn't really tell me much. Maybe the guy did something really wrong. If he did, I am sure his ass would have been expelled and deported, not suspended. The part about this 'real story', I don't like Kay, is this:

"threat to himself and others". I don't know what that means. Our Universities are a wasteland of Political Correctness and namby-pambiness on steroids. I have seen the stupidest little things get blown way, way out of proportion. If the dude really was some type of provable threat to others, he would have been tossed out for good, both from the University and this country. We live in a world where these Universities crucify those that express an opinion that differs from what they say the norm is and if anyone expresses even the slightest amount of offense from a comment, instead of that person being told to grow up and grow some skin, the commenter is vilified.

Universities in America have become an absolute bastion of INTOLERANCE of speech and will take the slightest off hand comment and blow it out of proportion.

So, I am still waiting for the full story here of the events in Arizona, as the University story shows me only that he didn't do anything horribly wrong as, again, his ass would have been expelled and sent back to Norway if he did.

As far as people being gullible, well if that is the case, keep sending emails. Keep those knuckleheads in Washington and their staffs occupied with reading email and investigating matters like this instead of continuing to pass law, after law, after law. They need something else to do.

As far as the sentiment of 'this stuff just doesn't happen here - there must be something horrible about this guy', well that isn't true. There are plenty of examples of this type of stuff, where incidents are blown out of proportion in our legal system and the legal system of other countries. 5 years is a good chunk of somebody's life, especially if a broken toe was the worst injury and there is a chance that is was the result of confusion and non-intentional.

Police do get out of hand. I personally have been pulled over in a felony stop. 5 guys pointing guns at my head, doing the whole, "driver, get out of the car! Put your hands behind your head! Walk backwards towards my voice! Get on your knees!" and then the metal bracelets get slapped on. Pretty scary sh*t, walking backwards towards dudes pointing guns at you, not knowing what the hell is going on, and worrying the whole time that since you are walking backwards, you might trip and one of those meatheads might react and pull the trigger, starting the chain reaction of 20 bullets in your torso and impending death.

And what was my crime? What was I doing? I was just driving down the road minding my own business, literally on the way to visit my mother, when some Barney Fife saw my vehicle and thought that it could look enough like one they were looking for that they better do that to me just to make sure I wasn't their guy. And not a damn one of them had the decency to apologize to me 5 minutes later when they took the cuffs off after the figured out I was just some random dude, not the guy they were looking for, for violating my Civil Rights or threatening my life by pointing their guns at me.

Point being, don't jump to conclusions - either way. We don't have all of the info in this story and I certainly didn't feel that it hurt anyone or anything to throw some email suggestions out there in case this incident is truly as absurd as it appears to be, on its face.

Maybe there is more to it, maybe there is not. We don't know I don't mind erring on the side of caution in cases like this, as emails are harmless, yet five years in the clink is not ...

It would be sweet to leave the country bashing out of this as travesties of justice happen in ALL SYSTEMS, no doubt we can find some in Norway too, as well as every other Western nation. But don't just assume innocence on either the cops or the prosecuting attorneys. Times have changed my friends. Very much so. I used to go back and forth with a ex-pat in Costa Rica who told me AMerica was becoming a police state. I told him he was nuts and I ran through a list of reasons why it is not. Over a decade later, I can not issue many of those same reasons, because they wouldn't be true anymore.

If we get more information that this cat from Norway is a meathead and he is getting what he deserves, I will certainly acknowledge that fact. But, I do not give any immediate favor to our system of justice in this country, or any other, just because of the sentiment of, 'they just wouldn't do this kind of stuff without a good reason.' That simply does not hold true. Both in my experiences and the experiences of others, worldwide, including the US, the UK and Scandinavia.

Remember guys, it is innocent until proven guilty. Not innocent until arrested, charged and brought to trial. And even then, the innocent sometimes get found guilty of crimes they are not responsible for.

Times have changed.

Then:

Now:

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Dave Patterson

12 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

I know you Americans don't tolerate criticism and must remain perfect no matter what. That's why the other thread about this got deleted. But I don't deny that there may be more behind the story.

The reason why he got kicked out of the University of South Alabama was because foreign biochemistry students were not allowed to study anymore in the U.S. after 9/11 because they could be a threat to the U.S. when they had access to bacterias and viruses.

In fact he was one of their top students, and he were on the university's honor list while he studied there.

He (and a few other students) were suspended because...

Best dramatic performance: To Kristoffer Larsgard, from Oslo, who, in September, was suspended from the University of South Alabama. The 22-year-old Norwegian student has said he intends to take legal action to get back onto his biochemistry course at the Alabama institution, where, he admitted to Norway's Aftenposten newspaper, he and a number of fellow students grew cholera, salmonella and several other harmful germs in the laboratory. Mr Larsgard said he feels he has been called a potential terrorist in all but name after a university official told him he believed the student was planning to contaminate the town's water system. Mr Larsgard said he didn't know what the university was referring to when it says he was involved in serious misconduct, although he has speculated it might have to do with a court case in the state of Illinois, in which he was acquitted, or another incident in which a teacher may have been upset when he missed classes to appear in court.

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taskemann

12 years ago

I hope I'll not get ass burned as Michael Moore does when he mention something bad about America.

But relax, I have nothing against America. All countries have pros and cons.

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seasoned

12 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

I hope I'll not get ass burned as Michael Moore does when he mention something bad about America.

But relax, I have nothing against America. All countries have pros and cons.

FEW Americans think they are perfect, and I KNOW I am not perfect. I am FAR from it! But some Norwegians CLEARLY think they are perfect. And your statements REEK of it! Unfortunately, that belief makes it obvious that YOU aren't perfect either.

NOBODY is against Moore for mentioning bad things about America. A LOT of people say bad things about america and some lose NO popularity over it. They are mad at the LIES, HALF TRUTHS, and things taken out of context that moore said.

You may think you know everything about america, but you don't. HECK, there is just as much propaganda THERE about America as there is here about anywhere.

Steve

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Kay King

12 years ago

Oops right for me - he's in trouble AGAIN...different situation.

It's impossible to reconstruct the story from what I've found as the English used is not logical on the translations of sites.

Supposedly his only crime was turning into the wrong street- but then there are discussions of who was hit and who fought...so who knows what went down. It could be previous brushes with the law cast him in a bad light.

The "Norwegian student" title interests me - he was a student in 2001 - is he still a student at age 33? Don't know.

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seasoned

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Oops right for me - he's in trouble AGAIN...different situation.

It's impossible to reconstruct the story from what I've found as the English used is not logical on the translations of sites.

Supposedly his only crime was turning into the wrong street- but then there are discussions of who was hit and who fought...so who knows what went down. It could be previous brushes with the law cast him in a bad light.

The "Norwegian student" title interests me - he was a student in 2001 - is he still a student at age 33? Don't know.

One site heavily implied that he was muslim, had a history, and was a microbiologist. In such a case, he likely should be removed from the class, and that would likely mean being deported, since he would be here on a student visa.

Steve

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hardraysnight

12 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

I hope I'll not get ass burned as Michael Moore does when he mention something bad about America.

But relax, I have nothing against America. All countries have pros and cons.

i have heard of pros but are cons referring to convicts or conmen - sorry ladies

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seasoned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by oncewerewarriors

i have heard of pros but are cons referring to convicts or conmen - sorry ladies

A pro, in this context, means an advantage. A con, in this context, means a disadvantage.

So when he said "All countries have pros and cons.", it translates to "All countries have advantages and disadvantages.".

I believe it is latin where pro means for, and con means against. I don't know WHAT convict meant originally, but conman means "CONfidence MAN", and refers to the type of guy that tries to make you have confidence that he can do, or has done, something, so you help him out in some way. Madoff, for example, got people to be CONFIDENT that he could make people a lot of money with no risk, so they gave him a lot of money. So he was a CONMAN.

Steve
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taskemann

12 years ago

Well, here is a translated transcript of the trial. I have translated it with Google Translate because it's to much to translate manually.

Lars Farm is his surename "Larsgard" translated in Google translate lol.

At 22.03:

Got a sentence on 7,5 years in prison...

At 22.00:
New key witness stood up and walked in protest from the courtroom. It happened after the Lars farm questions from the prosecutor said he never called him to kill someone after getting his nose broken. One of the witnesses stood up in court and said, addressed to Lars Farm: - Really? Really?

Time 21.53:
What seems to have provoked Mike Mendoza to show Lars Gard finger, is that Lars Gard said that if he had not hit him with his fist in the face, and instead talked normally to him, he would not have panicked and run away at high speed .

Time 21.51:
A very irritated prosecutor protests to the judge. He says Lars Farm constantly dodge to answer the questions he poses.

Time 21.47:
The prosecutor asked if he understood all the questions he was asked during the trial in late March.

- Did you give false information during the trial, the prosecutor asked.

- No, I did not answer Lars farm.

Time 21.44:
- I believe that the police and prosecutors have overreacted in this case, says Lars farm.

Time 21.43:
- I would really wish that there was a policeman there who stopped me when I ran against one-way streets no. When none of us have been in the situation we are now.

Time 21.42:
- I understand that by reversing backwards and hit the curb may have created fear among the children.

Time 21.41:
- I wish I had the chance to tell their children face to face that I have never tried to hurt them.

In the witness box: Prosecutors were clearly annoyed at John Christopher Lars Gard as he sat in the witness box. He believed that the Northern man deliberately avoided to answer the questions he posed. Photo: VGTV

The time 9:39 p.m.:
While Lars Kristian John Gard spoke from the witness box, leaving the man who beat him and broke his nose - Michael Mendoza - the right to protest. In the open door of the court, he turned and pointed his finger Lars Farm!

Time 21.37:
- I panicked. I had to get away from there. I am very sorry that people think I thus tried to come after them.

Time 21.35:
- If someone had called police and told that I was driving irresponsibly, I would probably stop. But suddenly I was pushed and punched in the face. There were people everywhere, and it was difficult for me to see what happened, says Lars farm.

Time 21.33:
- I did not want people gathered behind the car. I ran into the curb. I had no intention to hurt or frighten anyone, says Lars farm.

At 21.30:
Now draw Lars farm on a board in court. He explains how and why he and his mother drove to the one-way streets no one, and repeat and repeat, turning to the witnesses / victims that he has never tried to hurt much less kill someone.

- I had no intention of harming anyone. Everything that happened happened is the result of many misunderstandings, says Lars farm.

Is inserted: Here comes the Norwegian Lars Christopher John Gard (33) into law in Arizona. At the hearing, he will know how long he must serve in prison. Photo: VGTV

Time 21.20:
After the prosecutor had the judge's approval to submit material about previous problematic cases for the Lars farm in the U.S., the hearing was about this. This material has never led to conviction or the like.

Otherwise, it arrived a few items that have in the present case to make.

Time 21.12:
Lars Farm talks about his medical studies in Australia. There he studied for two and a half years, but had to take a break because of the large neck pain, according to him.

Time 21.03:
Lars Farm is currently responding to questions from his defense: All about problems he had at the University Of Alabama.

Time 20.49:
Pause in court. AP comes back with more as soon as the break is over.

Time 20.43:
The mother Liv Lars Farm gave his son a Coca Cola, but it was stripped of Lars farm by a security guard. - It is contrary to the rules, said the security guard.

Lars Farm is applied to both anklets and handcuffs in the courtroom.

Time 20.41:
The judge asked for the break, after only two questions to Lars farm.

Time 20.37:
John Christopher Lars Farm is asked to testify. Sitting in the witness box now.

Time 20.36:
Defender Chris Candelaria trying to convince the judge to give him miniumsstraff, five years. Otherwise, progress is a certain rematch between defense and prosecution of what was the basis of evidence from the trial itself, but today there is no court, but sentencing.

Time 20.26:
Prosecutors say it is up to the judge, but he believes that the minimum sentence of five years in prison is too small.

Time 20.10:
Judge John Lamb certain now that VG does not take pictures in court by several people that lead prosecutors as victims of driving in Winslow.

Time 20.07:
Defendant Candelaria asked that Lars Farm will remove the handcuffs, so he will be able to quote from what is being said. Judge John Lamb says no, on the advice of the security personnel in the courtroom.

Time 20.06:
Probably a female witness is a statement in court.

Time 20.05:
The woman said she forgives Lars farm, but that he must take responsibility for their actions.

- I hope you get help.

Time 20.03:
The female witness continues:

- Due to the actions of the Lars farm, the kids that I love, scarred.

- I hope he is punished for every single point, not a collective punishment. I hope he gets a long sentence.

Woman weeps in court.

- If he had killed me, my son would have been orphaned.

Time 19.59:
A female witness, Theresa Gonzales, comes with a statement in court:

- I am upset that Lars Farm does not say what really happened. I am upset admits that he tried to harm young children, says the woman.

- I am upset that he has tried to sue the witnesses in this case. When Michael Mendoza defeated Lars farm, he did so in an attempt to disarm him, says the woman.

- We tried to help him when he went wrong, while he tried to kill me. I hope he gets the help he needs, says the woman.

Time 19.57:
Prosecutors are now ready to ask her mother questions. There were many questions about the history of his son.

Time 19.50:
Prosecutors asked the mother about family relationships. She also questioned when the son was thrown out of the University of South Alabama.

Time 19.40:
Defendant emphasizes that John Christopher Lars Farm has never been convicted.

Time 19.39:
Prosecutors want to show police documents from a case in Alabama for more than 10 years ago. The defender tries to prevent this. Lars Farm Life presented documents from universities in both Alabama and Illionois.

Time 19.27:
The mother Liv Lars Farm (68) should provide a statement in court. She was in the car her son was sentenced to be used in an attempt to harm others.

Time 19.26:
Prosecutors and the defense arguing about whether the favorable and unfavorable events in Lars Gard's past should be the basis for sentencing.

Time 19.17:
The witness, Michael Mendoza, the man who pursued the Lars farm, and who broke his nose, is present in the courtroom. He and Lars Farm has had eye contact during today's hearing.

Time 19.08:
Defender Chris Candelaria requested that the Norwegian 33-year-old would get a new trial. This has the judges refused.

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Kay King

12 years ago

The part about this 'real story', I don't like Kay, is this:

Really?

So, Chris - did you contact everyone on the contact list you gave to express your indignation....over this 11 year old story?

A better response would be "oops, didn't notice the date of 2001...."

If he did get "seven years" - he's out by now anyway.

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Dave Patterson

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Really?

So, Chris - did you contact everyone on the contact list you gave to express your indignation....over this 11 year old story?

A better response would be "oops, didn't notice the date of 2001...."

If he did get "seven years" - he's out by now anyway.

Kay...the University of South AL and the Illinois incidents were in 2001. The incident in AZ happened in Sept. 2011.

He's was just recently sentenced...Navajo County Sheriff

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Tina Golden 12 years ago

I am not saying anything one way or the other since I haven't seen any actual details of the case. You may continue to feel free to voice your opinion over the story without knowing those details, if you wish.

I'm just going to sit back with my "American stupidity" and the "profound lack of common sense that Americans consistently demonstrate" and keep my nose out of it.
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Christopher Fox

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Really?

So, Chris - did you contact everyone on the contact list you gave to express your indignation....over this 11 year old story?

A better response would be "oops, didn't notice the date of 2001...."

If he did get "seven years" - he's out by now anyway.

Ooops, eh Kay? And no, I have not sent one email for the current events either. I was just trying to be helpful to taskemann since this story is obviously being reported in Norway and he is motivated to do something about it. Again, even if this dude turns out to be a meathead, takemann trying to bring this to the attention of people and sending off emails does not hurt anyone.

I still don't know the full story Kay. But I do know that 7.5 years is one hell of a long time for someone to spend behind bars for a minor injury and what still, even after reading the translated transcript, can't figure the true events of what happened. The difference between criminal intent and accidental kind of stuff. Regardless, people get sentenced to less time for doing one hell of a lot worse. Everyday. Running over somebody with a car and seriously injuring or killing them in a crowd is a pretty easy thing to do. Makes me wonder that if his intent was truly to cause harm why he didn't accomplish that task. Running over somebody's toe in a crowd, accidentally, especially when there is apparently some type of verbal confrontation going on and get punched in the face is an easy thing to do as well.

Even if he was acting like a jackass and driving recklessly, if his true intent was to run somebody over, it would be a very easy thing to do - yet that doesn't seem to have happened. Makes me wonder. And even if he was driving recklessly, without regard to people's safety and jeopardizing their safety, 7.5 years sounds like a pretty harsh sentence.

A drunk driver takes people's lives into his/her hands every time s/he gets behind the wheel. Yet we only throw in jail for 7.5 years the people that actually do seriously injure or kill somebody, as well as multiple repeat offenders. Most of the reckless meatheads don't get any jail time, even though they acted just as irresponsibly and jeopardized the same amount of lives as the ones that unfortunately do hurt others. Our system punishes based upon outcome, not just intent, and to me, the sentence here of 7.5 years of somebody's life is pretty serious stuff, considering the damage done, even if this guy is really a jackass and was driving like an idiot and angry in a crowd of people.