I mentioned in the article that Danielle had received over 100 messages from one individual, a 17 year old, encouraging her to go ahead and commit suicide.
The young man, Jason Patrick Thomas, was charged in February with Cyberbullying.
- A. Cyberbullying is Read the entire statute (LRS 14:40.7).
the transmission of any electronic textual, visual, written, or oral communication with the malicious and willful intent to coerce, abuse, torment, or intimidate a person under the age of eighteen.
- A. Criminal assistance to suicide is Read the entire statute (LRS 14:32.12)
- (1) The intentional advising or encouraging of another person to commit suicide or the providing of the physical means or the knowledge of such means to another person for the purpose of enabling the other person to commit or attempt to commit suicide.
- (2) The intentional advising, encouraging, or assisting of another person to commit suicide, or the participation in any physical act which causes, aids, abets, or assists another person in committing or attempting to commit suicide.
I fear that changing the charge might be a mistake. It seems that making it an additional charge would be a better approach.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my worry may be moot, as I know so little about criminal law. The practical effect of amending may be the same as an additional charge.
While I feel deeply for the family involved, and I do mean deeply; I feel that a law like this, unless used in the provision that states, "the providing of the physical means or the knowledge of such means to another person for the purpose of enabling the other person to commit or attempt to commit suicide" this law seeks to punish those who ultimatly do not commit the crime.
ReplyDeleteBullying has been around since the dawn of ages. Yes it is more prevelant now with the digital and internet world but ultimatly that person decides to swallow those pills, put the noose around their neck or pull that trigger. I feel that it is unfair to punish another for taunting or in jest ridiculing them to do so. People must be held accountable for their own actions. A big trend the world is moving away from in the 21st century.
Detecive Morton and family, please understand that I mean no disrespect in this post and my heart aches for your family. But what will punishing this boy for your daughter's actions accomplish? I pray for your family and for your daughter but I ask, is this young mans actions really the causation for what your daughter did? If it wasn't for him do you really believe she would have gone on to live? Peace be to you and your love ones.
But what will punishing this boy for your daughter's actions accomplish?
ReplyDeleteI am in no way related to this family but I would hope that it would show this young man and others that you can not just bully people continually and get away with it.
I may would agree with you if he had sent just one text message but we are talking about over 100 messages. If you think that this is in any way forgivable you need as much help as he does.
To Anonymous Sept 2nd at 7am:
ReplyDeleteBeing you evidently know me give me a call and I will fill you in on the total disregard to a human life this young man had just to make himself feel good! He took advantage of someone calling out for help! I understand your feelings and respect your opinion! I expect it from someone who is ignorant of ALL the details!
It's Officer Morton I haven't been a Detective for a while! Bii that's not important and have no idea of why you brought that up! I'm a caring and loving parent who has lost a child. I'm not an Officer in this matter and Bossier City PD has nothing to do with this!!!
I'll be awaiting your contact. Feel free to ask me
about the incident!
John Morton/ Step father / parent
That is the most insensitive thing I have ever read. Jim, why didn't you remove it before the family had a chance to see it?
ReplyDeleteI think it reflects a conversation that is going on. The commenter disproved his own point when he said "People must be held accountable for their own actions."
ReplyDeleteTHIS MATTER WAS BROUGHT TO JIM BY MYSELF (JOHN MORTON). I HOPE THAT THIS WILL GET OUT TO EVERYONE SO THAT OUR KIDS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPLES, SCHOOL BOARD, GOVERNMENT, PARENTS AND YES THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN SEE WHAT KIND OF CONSEQUENCES OUR ACTIONS HAVE WHEN WE BULLY SOMEONE. BETTER YET MAYBE IT WILL SHOW PEOPLE HOW OUR WORDS TO ONE ANOTHER MEAN SO MUCH!!! YOU REALLY NEVER NOW WHAT THAT PERSON YOU ARE TALKING TO IS GOING THRU!! WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN BUT JIM IS DOING A GREAT JOB BY SHOWING THIS TO EVERYONE. WE CAN NOT HIDE THIS NO MORE OTHERWISE SOMEONE ELSE MAY LOSE A LOVED ONE BEHIND MEAN WORDS SAID AT A BAD TIME!!!! AGAIN WE ARE NOT HIDING THIS MATTER. PLEASE JOIN OUR CAUSE "SMILES FOR DANIELLE" ON FACEBOOK!! THANK YOU JIM AND FOR YOUR CONCERNS ANONYMOUS 1:30
ReplyDeleteI dont know anything about the legalities of bullying, I leave that to our police, D.A.'s and Judges, But I will say this Kid deserves a mud hole be stomped in his a$#--Jimbo
ReplyDeleteJim, I'm a little confused here. What was the intention/reasoning in making a change to the existing law? Does this law include something specific that the other one did not? Apparently, I am missing that aspect.
ReplyDelete~also~
In reference to the "anon" comment regarding why you didn't delete a potentially insensitive comment, I think you did the right thing - from one moderator to another.
To Mr. Morton and family, I am sorry for your loss.
~DHD