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majid_sabet
Aug 24, 2007, 4:44 PM
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By BRODIE FARQUHAR
Star-Tribune correspondent Friday, August 24, 2007
[oas:casperstartribune.net/news/wyoming:Middle1]
Fremont County Attorney Ed Newell said Thursday no charges would be filed in connection with the death of a National Outdoor Leadership School leader Aug. 11 when he was struck by a rock while climbing in the Wind River Mountains.
An investigation by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the rock had been thrown by a man who was unaware that Pete Absolon was climbing the rock face in the Leg Lake Cirque above Lander.
Newell emphasized that this was a case where criminal charges could have been filed.
“It was criminally negligent or reckless to throw the rock without first checking if anyone was below,” Newell said. “This was not an accident. Mr. Absolon died needlessly, leaving a wife and young daughter to live their lives without his love and support. We all need to understand that a moment’s carelessness can kill.”................
...............
http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/...87257340007d3466.txt
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caughtinside
Aug 24, 2007, 5:08 PM
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I wonder if there will be a civil suit by the family.
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freezorburn
Aug 24, 2007, 5:31 PM
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WTF?,
Lets throw this rock down that cliff and not see where it falls.
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Gmburns2000
Aug 24, 2007, 5:34 PM
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majid_sabet wrote: “It was criminally negligent or reckless to throw the rock without first checking if anyone was below,” Newell said. “This was not an accident. Mr. Absolon died needlessly,
Glad someone with authority has stepped in and said it wasn't an accident. This is totally crap, but maybe the family wanted that. Who knows what happens behind closed doors.
edited to fix quote brackets
(This post was edited by Gmburns2000 on Aug 24, 2007, 5:34 PM)
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mikitta
Aug 24, 2007, 6:04 PM
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In reply to: Newell said his decision not to prosecute was made after consulting Absolon’s wife, Molly. “Molly has suffered the devastating loss of a loving husband and father to her only child. Her primary concern now is healing for herself and her daughter, Avery,” Newell said. “She may pursue a civil case to recover damages that would assist in Avery’s support and education.”
Just really not much to say that is constructive in this. Keep Molly and Avery in your thoughts and prayers (if you pray). The trundler too. He has to live with his actions for the rest of his life.
God Bless,
mik
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climbsomething
Aug 24, 2007, 7:05 PM
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, my anger aside, I can only hope this is what the Absolon family wanted. Perhaps they are more forgiving than I.
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jdouble
Aug 24, 2007, 7:10 PM
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climbsomething wrote: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, my anger aside, I can only hope this is what the Absolon family wanted. Perhaps they are more forgiving than I.
Read the article.
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climbsomething
Aug 24, 2007, 7:27 PM
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I did.
There's a lot of heart-rending going on behind the scenes, and maybe the widow chooses to keep some of the specifics private and out of the press. That's understandable. But the lawyer's quote isn't very explicit, so for all we know, she is much more angry and conflicted than the article lets on. I'm not trying to be critical; I can understand not wanting to let all that negativity out, even if it is in fact there. For me, anyway, it would be. That's the kind of person I am. But I'm also not a good example of easy-going and forgiving.
So, like I said, I hope, for the family's sake, this truly reflects a decision made at peace with the situation.
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jdouble
Aug 24, 2007, 7:42 PM
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climbsomething wrote: I did. There's a lot of heart-rending going on behind the scenes, and maybe the widow chooses to keep some of the specifics private and out of the press. That's understandable. But the lawyer's quote isn't very explicit, so for all we know, she is much more angry and conflicted than the article lets on. I'm not trying to be critical; I can understand not wanting to let all that negativity out, even if it is in fact there. For me, anyway, it would be. That's the kind of person I am. But I'm also not a good example of easy-going and forgiving. So, like I said, I hope, for the family's sake, this truly reflects a decision made at peace with the situation.
I see your point. When I read the article, it appeared to me that the prosecuting attorney asked if she would like him to prosecute. She said 'no', and he did not.
As others have said, prosecuting the guy does not bring her husband back. I guess its all comes down to our different outlooks on healing and moving on.
My best wishes go out to all involved. This is truly a sad day.
Jay
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deschamps1000
Aug 24, 2007, 8:32 PM
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Gmburns2000 wrote: Glad someone with authority has stepped in and said it wasn't an accident. This is totally crap, but maybe the family wanted that. Who knows what happens behind closed doors. edited to fix quote brackets
Wasn't an accident? Do you think that he tried to kill him?
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medicus
Aug 24, 2007, 8:35 PM
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deschamps1000 wrote: Gmburns2000 wrote: Glad someone with authority has stepped in and said it wasn't an accident. This is totally crap, but maybe the family wanted that. Who knows what happens behind closed doors. edited to fix quote brackets Wasn't an accident? Do you think that he tried to kill him?
If I went speeding down the highway at 200 mph and killed a significant person in your family, would you consider it an "accident"?
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nivlac
Aug 24, 2007, 8:38 PM
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jdouble wrote: climbsomething wrote: I did. There's a lot of heart-rending going on behind the scenes, and maybe the widow chooses to keep some of the specifics private and out of the press. That's understandable. But the lawyer's quote isn't very explicit, so for all we know, she is much more angry and conflicted than the article lets on. I'm not trying to be critical; I can understand not wanting to let all that negativity out, even if it is in fact there. For me, anyway, it would be. That's the kind of person I am. But I'm also not a good example of easy-going and forgiving. So, like I said, I hope, for the family's sake, this truly reflects a decision made at peace with the situation. I see your point. When I read the article, it appeared to me that the prosecuting attorney asked if she would like him to prosecute. She said 'no', and he did not. As others have said, prosecuting the guy does not bring her husband back. I guess its all comes down to our different outlooks on healing and moving on. My best wishes go out to all involved. This is truly a sad day. Jay
Or, the pragmatic (cynical?) might think that the success of a payout from a civil suit increases if the guy stays out of jail and continues to earn money... assuming he's not affluent already. This makes me think a civil suit is much more likely.
Although I wish it hadn't happened, I give the guy credit for immediately owning up to the accident and telling the authorities. He's got quite a burden to live with for the rest of his life.
Was the climber wearing a helmet? I didn't catch that anywhere. If he was, must have been a pretty big/heavy rock.
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climbs4fun
Moderator
Aug 24, 2007, 8:45 PM
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nivlac wrote: jdouble wrote: climbsomething wrote: I did. There's a lot of heart-rending going on behind the scenes, and maybe the widow chooses to keep some of the specifics private and out of the press. That's understandable. But the lawyer's quote isn't very explicit, so for all we know, she is much more angry and conflicted than the article lets on. I'm not trying to be critical; I can understand not wanting to let all that negativity out, even if it is in fact there. For me, anyway, it would be. That's the kind of person I am. But I'm also not a good example of easy-going and forgiving. So, like I said, I hope, for the family's sake, this truly reflects a decision made at peace with the situation. I see your point. When I read the article, it appeared to me that the prosecuting attorney asked if she would like him to prosecute. She said 'no', and he did not. As others have said, prosecuting the guy does not bring her husband back. I guess its all comes down to our different outlooks on healing and moving on. My best wishes go out to all involved. This is truly a sad day. Jay Or, the pragmatic (cynical?) might think that the success of a payout from a civil suit increases if the guy stays out of jail and continues to earn money... assuming he's not affluent already. This makes me think a civil suit is much more likely. Although I wish it hadn't happened, I give the guy credit for immediately owning up to the accident and telling the authorities. He's got quite a burden to live with for the rest of his life. Was the climber wearing a helmet? I didn't catch that anywhere. If he was, must have been a pretty big/heavy rock.
From what I've read, he WAS wearing a helmet and the rock killed him instantly.
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nivlac
Aug 24, 2007, 8:53 PM
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Well, that sucks. Negligence big time, and civil suit now seems very likely.
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deschamps1000
Aug 24, 2007, 9:26 PM
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medicus wrote: If I went speeding down the highway at 200 mph and killed a significant person in your family, would you consider it an "accident"?
Of course, unless you were trying to kill them.
"Accident: an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap"
The rock being thrown off the cliff was not an accident. The fact that he killed somebody was an accident (i.e. unintentional).
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vtrescuekid
Aug 24, 2007, 9:31 PM
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I'm not even really sure what to say about this other than I feel extremely sorry for the family. Noone expects a 15-20lb boulder to come falling out of the sky while you're climbing. It'd be one thing if this guy was climbing up above him and it came loose (even though everyone knows not to climb underneath people), but being intentionally thrown off the cliff is just unthinkable. I worry when throwing a rope down a cliff even after yelling "ROPE!" and can't even imagine hurling a 15lb boulder. I hope the guy that threw it loses countless nights of sleep thinking about what he's done to a family that did nothing to deserve this.
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fulton
Aug 24, 2007, 9:33 PM
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Great, a bunch of internet morons are going to bicker about legal proceedings. Gag me.
I think most people who aren't elite internet-climbing spray lords would agree that throwing rocks off the tops of cliffs is fun.
In fact, maybe for that exact reason people shouldn't be allowed to climb at good rock throwing areas, as far more people throw rocks than climb them.
I assure you that responding to this post is beneath you.
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Tree_wrangler
Aug 24, 2007, 11:01 PM
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I would think that a response is beneath me, but you just don't understand how low I really am!
I agree in spirit. Virtually everybody slandering the rock thrower has kicked a rock or 20 down a hill themselves. Sure, you know better now, but what about when you were 5, 10, 15, or sometimes older?
I don't kick rocks. But when I was 13, I sometimes did. I remember once, teaming up with 4 buddies at that age, and managing to roll a rock about the size of a VW bug. It was "cool" all right, but after the fact, we knew that it wasn't really kosher, and you should have heard my dad tear into us....whew!
We "knew" that no one was below us......but I can imagine what it would have felt like to roll that rock, and then seconds later hear screaming down the hill......at that age....I would have turned and run. It is to the rock-throwers great credit that he realized what he'd done, realized the potential consequences, and embraced his terrible responsibility.
A civil suit is probably in order. I feel terrible for the family who's lost so much. I also feel (less) for the person who was innocently, and ignorantly screwing around and received a life-long slap-in-the-face.
Everybody here has narrowly missed a similar slap in their lives, whether you are honest enough to admit it or not. (driving, biking, fighting, lying, etc. you've all almost done someone else a terrible wrong, but just got lucky before).
Cheers.
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