Bryan Stow attack outside Dodger stadium: Assailants plead guilty, get sentenced

[MentalDisabldLst]

I searched a lot, but couldn't find a thread on the board that reported on the Bryan Stow incident back in 2011 as it happened (some mentions of it in the threads about McCourt's squeeze-out from ownership of the Dodgers, though).
 
Well, some bittersweet news today on that case, as today the assailants pled guilty to charges.  The initiator of the attack got 8 years, and his friend who joined in to "back him up" got 4 years.  In reviewing the evidence (particularly the jailhouse confession to Norwood's mom), it's pretty clear they got the right guys this time.
 
Be careful reading that article, as the quotes towards the bottom will turn your stomach.
 
It's also probably worth bringing up again that Barry Bonds is paying for both of Stow's kids to attend college.

 

[AbbyNoho]

Those two assholes are so lucky that Stow didn't die. The only thing sparing their life (and by that I mean life outside of bars eventually) is that Stow managed to barely cling to his. It was probably just a nervous reaction on his part, but the fact that the guy was grinning during his sentencing is rage-inducing. 

 

[smastroyin]

Yeah, I suspect he's going to be a case study for prisons making people worse, not better.

 

[Bosoxen]

It's also possible he's just a fucking sociopath. Growing up, I saw his type plenty and was reminded of what unmitigated assholes those guys can be in groups when my wife and I caught a Dodgers-Angels game in Anaheim a few years ago.

 

[Rovin Romine]

I'm not familiar with CA law, but this seems like a low sentence for this kind of damage.   Apparently the feds are looking to tack on some more time.  That time can be served consecutively (meaning he finishes his CA sentence and then starts his Fed. sentence.)

 

[DJnVa]

I'm not familiar with CA law, but this seems like a low sentence for this kind of damage.  

 
Article says this:
 

Outside court, Hanisee said prosecutors had obtained sentences close to the maximum possible if they had been convicted at trial. She said there were insufficient facts to justify a charge of attempted murder which was considered
 

.

 

[hbk72777]

Yeah, I suspect he's going to be a case study for prisons making people worse, not better.

 
Sometimes it's not about making scum better, it's about keeping them from repeating their acts of violence, if only for a short time.

 

[Robert Plant]

Sometimes it's not about making scum better, it's about keeping them from repeating their acts of violence, if only for a short time.

Its also about doling out some good old fashioned punishment.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Its also about doling out some good old fashioned punishment.

 
Many states view the purpose of criminal sanctions as primarily for punishment, with rehabilitation taking a secondary role.   And by "view" I mean that purpose is specifically enshrined in their laws. 

 

[smastroyin]

I have no contention about purpose, I just think this guy already has little regard for consequences, and will likely be a worse person coming out than going in.

 

[mauf]

I have no contention about purpose, I just think this guy already has little regard for consequences, and will likely be a worse person coming out than going in.

If the federal charges tack 5-10 years onto the sentences handed down this week, that will keep these two assholes in prison beyond what sociologists tell us is the peak age for violent criminal behavior. And sad to say, there's a good chance Stow will die from complications during that period, which apparently would open the door to murder charges under CA law. So I think the authorities may have done a good enough incapacitating these guys. (Which I think is all we can really ask of the system, but that's a whole other discussion.)

 

[Average Reds]

I have no contention about purpose, I just think this guy already has little regard for consequences, and will likely be a worse person coming out than going in.

 
This is generally true for most people who go to jail.  In this case, it would appear to be a slam-dunk certainty.  Horrible going in; psychopathic coming out.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Stow's civil suit against the perpetrators and the Dodgers is successful; jury awards damages of ~$14M from assailants, $4M from Dodgers for negligence.  Absolves Frank McCourt.
 
Not sure I buy the argument for liability of the Dodgers, but I'd be interested in any attorney's opinion of that.  If only we had a few around here.
 
As for the sums, it appears the jury took the plaintiff's requested amount and gave them exactly half.  The lesson, as always: anchor as high as possible in a negotiation, as high as you can request with a straight face.

 

[mauidano]

Stow's civil suit against the perpetrators and the Dodgers is successful; jury awards damages of ~$14M from assailants, $4M from Dodgers for negligence.  Absolves Frank McCourt.
 
Not sure I buy the argument for liability of the Dodgers, but I'd be interested in any attorney's opinion of that.  If only we had a few around here.
 
As for the sums, it appears the jury took the plaintiff's requested amount and gave them exactly half.  The lesson, as always: anchor as high as possible in a negotiation, as high as you can request with a straight face.

So in reality though, they won't get a penny from the assailants.  Basically Stow gets $4 mill before fees and taxes.  Not enough.

 

[Alcohol&Overcalls]

Stow's civil suit against the perpetrators and the Dodgers is successful; jury awards damages of ~$14M from assailants, $4M from Dodgers for negligence.  Absolves Frank McCourt.
 
Not sure I buy the argument for liability of the Dodgers, but I'd be interested in any attorney's opinion of that.  If only we had a few around here.

 
Premises liability for third-party actions is usually (ie I don't know specifically CA law, but in many places) rooted in foreseeability - that is, the owner should take reasonable steps to protect against foreseeable acts. Things like past incidents, nature/use of the area, and steps already taken by the owner can all come into play. Here, they're selling beer, playing up the heated rivalry aspect, and etc. ... we don't know the evidence presented from those reports, but there are quite a few pathways to get a jury to a verdict of liable.
 
There could also be CA-specific rules (for things like business invitees) that could come into play, too - this kind of suit is fairly common though.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I'm hearing the Dodgers are paying $14 million, not $4 million

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

A smart enough jury is going to ding the Dodgers whether they are responsible or not just because they are the defendant with the resources to pay.