In the Halls of Justice, the only Justice is in the Halls
Posted by SpikeFeb 18
So said Lenny Bruce, who certainly knew what he was talking about.
Once again, our judicial system hands in a verdict that is difficult to believe.
Here’s the deal. 34 year old Daniel Sheung Kun-hoo was driving his Nissan Skyline GT-R at 3:30 in the morning. He was drunk. 21 year old student Kurt Leswing was standing in the middle of Wong Nai Chung Road, trying to get a taxi. Sheung hit Leswing with his car and killed him. Sheung then waited an hour before reporting this to police so that his blood alcohol level would go down before taking a breathalyzer test.
The defense said that Sheung didn’t expect that someone might be standing in the road. And Judge Stephen Geiser said that although it was okay that Sheung didn’t expect someone to be standing in the road and that he has subsequently shown remorse and done charity work (one can only imagine), the case is “serious” because of Sheung’s actions in not immediately reporting to the police and that therefore he’d have to get “a heavier sentence.”
And what is that “heavier sentence,” pray tell? 3-1/2 years in jail. HK$5,000 (US$650) fine. Loss of drivers license for three years. (Which I guess means he’ll be able to get another license once he gets out of prison.)
Wow. He really threw the book at him, didn’t he?
What’s the point of all those posters and banners all around town reminding us not to drink and drive? We need to have stiff penalties to act as an effective deterrent against senseless crimes of this nature. How fucking hard is it to leave your car at home and take a taxi if you’re going to a bar, or leave your car parked by the bar and take a taxi home if you’ve had a few too many?



One comment
Comment by gweipo on February 19, 2010 at 11:07 am
absolutely shameful. There is NO excuse in HK for driving with even 1 glass in you, taxis are cheap and ubiquitous.