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No winners in Russian Roulette case
February 6th, 2009, 11:50 am · 8 Comments · posted by mcazalas
When someone is shot in the head, the family and friends of the victim want justice.
The problem comes in trying to define it.
William Proctor died the day he turned 21 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
His friend, Dylan Weiler, 18, supplied the gun during a party in which all had been drinking, and he supplied the fervor, egging and daring Proctor to play Russian roulette.
Police charged Weiler with manslaughter. The State Attorney’s Office dropped the charge.
Essentially, the SAO determined Proctor was the older of the two, Proctor had familiarity with the game and no matter what egged him on, Proctor spun the cylinder, put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. He killed himself.
Wieler’s family was outraged that he was charged. Proctor’s family is outraged the charge was dropped.
But, really, when does get being held responsible for another’s decision?
If I convince you to try hanggliding, knowing the dangers, and you die, am I responsible?
If my stockbroker convinces me to buy stocks that later tank, is he legally responsible? Should he be?
We all make bad choices. We all give bad advice.
Who do you think should be accountable here?
Personal responsibility - I’m all about it. He put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. Case closed. Just please tell me there were witnesses that confirmed this story.
Well, you CAN fix stupid - playing Russian Roulette.
The 21 old should never have allowed someone to convince him to play such a dangerous game. He did, now he’s gone. He has left behind a bunch of grieving folks that are trying to find someone to place the blame on.when clearly there is no one else to be blamed..
The 18 year old doesn’t need to be charged by law, he will have to live with the incident the remainer of his life. That in itself is punishment.
Anyone who plays Russian Roulette knows the rules. To blame anyone but the person who pulled the trigger is silly.
This reminds me of Flip Wilson’s “the devil made me do it.” The best of all possible solution is that an individual is responsible for his/her own actions. The more we stray from that, the more the waters are muddied.
Sounds like some form of a mental disorder or drugs involved—-WHO KNOWS? Did the autopsy tell any of the story? Would the SAO release the investigation and all evidence? What was the history of the young adults in high school? Who were their Peers? What kind of childhood did the kids experience? Many questions should be ask. Having said that, who pulled the trigger?!!!
Remember how Marty McFly got goaded into all the things he did in ‘Back to the Future’ by his tormentor clucking like a chicken? He allowed himself to be manipulated, just like this guy.
This is a very sad story and very unfortunate for BOTH families. The blame however-who pulled the trigger? Sad as it is-that is where people most likely would find the person responsible. A lot of time the younger people don’t realize their own mortality. I would hate for my son to be either one and hope both families will able to deal with the hand that life has dealt (or rather the hand that both boys played).