Settlement For Magnuson Family

[CentreHice]

Jury awards $9.5 million to Magnuson's family


National Car Rental also named in the suit and must pay some of it, I assume. You'd think it'd be in their contract that impaired driving releases them from all insurance liability. Unless they rented the car to Ramage knowing that he'd been drinking. Don't know the particulars.

Ramage is looking at what could be a lot of jail time. He accepted full responsibility but did not attend the four-day trial.

Impaired driving. Senseless.

[CentreHice]

Bill Watters joining the Magnuson family in suggesting that the judgement go lightly on Ramage.

Ramage "made a mistake", Watters said. Then he went on to speak volumes about how great Ramage is....not because he was the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, not because a lot of his hockey friends showed up to support him in court...but because Ramage is the salt of the earth, one of the finest gentlemen you will ever want to meet. He wants Ramage's sentence to be that of community service.

I guess if the Magnuson family can forgive, who's to say otherwise?

I would not be that big of a person. A sane adult who gets behind the wheel in an impaired state which causes death should not be reduced to a "mistake". It's absolutely senseless and reprehensible.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I left a comment to the story on Canoe.ca yesterday.

The family has taken a page from the Omish book in that they forgive Ramage for what he as done and that's cool. However, there are rules made not only to correct people's mistakes, but to support show us that there is a system in place to support us as well.

What Ramage did could have happened to any one of us. But, that can't be used as an excuse because those rules would apply to us as well.

It's not about revenge, it should be more about accountability. And if I read correctly, Ramage pled not guilty to doing anything wrong. I understand this will disrupt Ramage's life but if nothing else a jail term will make him accountable.

Cheers.

[clear observer]

disgruntled70shab said:

I left a comment to the story on Canoe.ca yesterday.

The family has taken a page from the Omish book in that they forgive Ramage for what he as done and that's cool. However, there are rules made not only to correct people's mistakes, but to support show us that there is a system in place to support us as well.

What Ramage did could have happened to any one of us. But, that can't be used as an excuse because those rules would apply to us as well.

It's not about revenge, it should be more about accountability. And if I read correctly, Ramage pled not guilty to doing anything wrong. I understand this will disrupt Ramage's life but if nothing else a jail term will make him accountable.

Cheers.

I left one as well, Dis.

The actions of Mr. Ramage sent another human-being to their premature grave. We have laws in place within our society that deal with situations like these. They MUST be followed irregardless of the wishes of the victimized family. What if their wishes were that of corporal punishment?...an eye for an eye?...should THOSE wishes be considered as well?...where does the justice-system draw the line? Our laws are quite clear; Ramage MUST be accountable and serve his time.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

admin said:

disgruntled70shab said:

I left a comment to the story on Canoe.ca yesterday.

The family has taken a page from the Omish book in that they forgive Ramage for what he as done and that's cool. However, there are rules made not only to correct people's mistakes, but to support show us that there is a system in place to support us as well.

What Ramage did could have happened to any one of us. But, that can't be used as an excuse because those rules would apply to us as well.

It's not about revenge, it should be more about accountability. And if I read correctly, Ramage pled not guilty to doing anything wrong. I understand this will disrupt Ramage's life but if nothing else a jail term will make him accountable.

Cheers.

I left one as well, Dis.

The actions of Mr. Ramage sent another human-being to their premature grave. We have laws in place within our society that deal with situations like these. They MUST be followed irregardless of the wishes of the victimized family. What if their wishes were that of corporal punishment?...an eye for an eye?...should THOSE wishes be considered as well?...where does the justice-system draw the line? Our laws are quite clear; Ramage MUST be accountable and serve his time.

Well said, CO. It's not about revenge, but this is a case that could very well be all about revenge. Instead, the gist is about promoting a process that allows us the previlege of living in the society we have chosen.

The rules must apply to everyone or they cease to become rules.

Cheers.

[clear observer]

disgruntled70shab said:

admin said:

I left one as well, Dis.

The actions of Mr. Ramage sent another human-being to their premature grave. We have laws in place within our society that deal with situations like these. They MUST be followed irregardless of the wishes of the victimized family. What if their wishes were that of corporal punishment?...an eye for an eye?...should THOSE wishes be considered as well?...where does the justice-system draw the line? Our laws are quite clear; Ramage MUST be accountable and serve his time.

Well said, CO. It's not about revenge, but this is a case that could very well be all about revenge. Instead, the gist is about promoting a process that allows us the previlege of living in the society we have chosen.

The rules must apply to everyone or they cease to become rules.

Cheers.

Precisely.

One comment suggested, and I'm paraphrasing, "that it be left up to the victim's family (to exact justice)".

Good God, can you imagine the consequences of THAT type of system?

Rob Ramage knows all about the "penalty box"...he should simply go gracefully and pay the dues.

[franko]

or is it . . .



I don't condone what Ramage did -- heck, my father was killed driving home drunk one night [in fact, his father and brothers all died due to alcohol related problems]. But I'm not sure that Ramage going to jail for an extended time will do any good. It is punishment, pure and simple. But it is not a deterrent for others, or he would have looked at all those who are already in jail for stupidity DUI and said "Nope, not me" . . . and there wouldn't be any who drive drunk this Christmas. And capital punishment would still be in force as a deterrent (it isn't).

So . . . something better: as the Magnuson family [whom I know slightly] suggests, he becomes a poster boy for not drinking and driving (after some jail time -- don't get me wrong!) . . . and is barred from drinking, period.

There is a program in youth court (and I think being extended to adult court as well) in which victims of crime meet with/confront the one(s) who "did them wrong" (poor terminology). Often gives a sense of release/freedom to the victim . . . and often (though not always) sets the YA on a different path.

[Ramage most likely plead "not guilty" so as to be convicted of a lesser offense]