Heatley to be charged

[Chadd 916]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=89818

No mention of the exact charges though.

[Dave 1]

I hope it won't last. In case of an nhl lockout Heatley will most likely play for my home team, the Kölner Haie (see my avatar) along with Dennis Seidenberg (because Seidenberg's bro Yannick signed with Köln, too). It would be sad for us if he couldn't play hockey at all because he can't leave the country.

[MDE3 0]

Seems strange to wait this long....

[Chadd 916]

I hope it won't last. In case of an nhl lockout Heatley will most likely play for my home team, the Kölner Haie (see my avatar) along with Dennis Seidenberg (because Seidenberg's bro Yannick signed with Köln, too). It would be sad for us if he couldn't play hockey at all because he can't leave the country.

I've seen three reports that he was thinking of playing in the Swiss league. I don't recall the team but I don't think it was Klotten(?).

It's the only Swiss team that springs to mind right now.

[kosydar 0]

I remember that too, Chadd. It was one of those free agent lists that said he signed with a Swiss team.

[Dave 1]

There are a lot of rumors around Heatley coming to Germany. Cologne is the most likely it seems because we have the biggest arena in Europe and the best training facility. More importantly our coach used to play hockey with Heatley's father back when he played in Germany (that's why Heatley is born in Germany). There was a report in the papers that a few weeks ago our coach met with Heatley senior...

[Chadd 916]

The reports I heard quoted Dany.

[kovalchuk71 212]

is he really german, or was his father american or cadanian but played hockey there, so heatley had to be born in germany?

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

He is really German, he was born there and lived there for a while before he moved to Calgary.

[Bo from Boston 0]

This is long overdue - last time I checked, if you drive your car recklessly and your passenger dies as a result of your negligence, you go to jail.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

Dad played hockey in Germany and had Dany during his season.

[mack 44]

He's as German as I am Canadian.

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

Although I agree with Bo, I think this will just be another really bad blow to hockey. Dany has potential (IMO) to be the best player in the world, and this is wasting alot of talent. Not really a good reason I guess, but it just really sucks seeing your favorite player possibly going to jail.

[kosydar 0]

Its already a really bad blow to hockey when one of their own is killed and when one of his best friends is responsible. It isn't about hockey right now, its about doing the right thing.

[Chadd 916]

I don't believe that having a trial in this case benefits anyone. There are two main reasons for legal action.

1 - To punish the person who committed the crime. Heatley, unlike many other people, feels as badly about what happened as any person could, from what I hear. Snyder's family has forgiven Dany and believes it's in everyones best interest to move on.

2 - To prevent the crime from happening again. For many of the reasons listed above, I can't imagine him doing anything that stupid again.

The other reason things like this get prosecuted is when the DA wants to run for a higher public office. A case like this provides a great way to get your name in print and on TV quite a bit.

I'm sure that a reasonable plea agreement can be worked out that benefits the community much more than placing Dany in jail.

[Bo from Boston 0]

That is short sighted and not well thought out Chadd.

Anyone who's actions result in the death of their friend feels bad - this in no way should absolve him. Dany is a young man with a lot of money - do you think he will be buying a ford escort or a honda accord in the future?? No, he will be buying Ferrari's, Porsches, or corvettes...and what do you think will happen eventually??? He will speed again - hopefully never getting into an accident or hurting anyone again, but based on the cash he has, he will be getting behind the wheel of a rocketship again (probably already has).

I am unsure how not making him pay (like you or me would have to) is a community service. I think him not serving something is a slap in the face to people like you and me. I think letting him off would be a slap in the face to normal law abiding people and more importantly would once again illustrate that if you are rich, different rules apply.

He should (and looks like will) face exactly what the law throws at him. If the law says 1 day or 10 years - he should do it. We are all responsible for our actions. Crying at the funeral, feeling bad, etc does not atone for what has happened...and what has happened is that he broke the law and committed a crime which killed someone. I don't give a shit if its a Wayne Gretzky/Mario clone - its not important that rules be ignored so they can continue to play.

is this not sinking in???

[Bo from Boston 0]

These things are always tragedies...especially when no-one was drunk (its odd to think that that would at least give a better reason...for this to happen when totally sober as strange as it sounds is worse).

Maybe they will make an example out of him, maybe they won't. All that I can hope for is that they proceed as if he were John Doe and let the thing take its normal course, as it would do for any of us. I am not saying he must go to jail, I'm not sure what would be typical for this type of thing with these types of circumstances...what I am saying is that he should get whatever the normal punishment is.

Theo - thanks for the honest response. I know this is a hockey board but right is right and I am surprised how people justify in their minds that he should not face the music.

[Chadd 916]

The fact he plays hockey has nothing to do with my opinion and should have nothing to do with his punishment. I would have the same feelings if this was an average guy, I'd feel the same way.

The facts remain the same:

He lost his best friend

He knows he was responsible

He has to live with that burden the rest of his life (in his case, it is a burden)

He should be punished in some way, but a way that benefits the community. Lecturing on the hazards of driving like he did, lengthy probation, making and paying for the production of commercials, etc...

I have to disagree that being sober makes it worse. If he had been drunk and this happened, He should and would have been in jail.

[mack 44]

I agree he'll have to have the burden of being responsible for his friend's death, but should that be different than if he killed a stranger?

He should have some solace in the fact Snyder's family does not deem him responsible or harbour ill feelings for him, but the law's the law. Whether or not his celebrity gets him a lighter penalty or off entirely, he has to face those consequences.

[foppa21 0]

How does him being drunk or not drunk blur the lines though? It's still a negligent homicide regardless of what his blood alcohol level was.

[Chadd 916]

How does him being drunk or not drunk blur the lines though? It's still a negligent homicide regardless of what his blood alcohol level was.

Legally, being drunk compounds the problem as he was breaking the law when the accident happened. In my mind, it makes it worse because he chose to drive in an impaired condition.

I just feel that the Snyder family wishes should be considered in this case, as the family wishes are often considered when they want revenge.

[Bo from Boston 0]

I just put that comment in there as an observation - The really crazy thing here is that he did this totally sober, which in my mind removes all excuse (not that its a good one). Driving drunk and killing someone is unbelievably wrong...driving sober and doing it in a way is worse (especially the way this happened). It kind of says that I am in total control of my faculty's and still doing this insane thing and risking my and my friends life. I know it sounds weird, but I think it makes this whole thing more sad in a way. Its kind of warped - but thats how I feel.

[Flyerguy91 0]

This is long overdue - last time I checked, if you drive your car recklessly and your passenger dies as a result of your negligence, you go to jail.

the truth hurts, but any other person would already be in trial

[Bo from Boston 0]

very true - he has already had the benefit of his celebrity. Unfortunately, it wasn't him who paid for his carelessness. Now, some people think he has suffered enough.

Its clear that he does not know what suffering is

[Chadd 916]

I heard someone else say..

"Not a bad justice system when you can kill someone one day and play pro hockey a few months later.

Because it's really that simple.