Good News: Road Rage #7

[H2O Man]

I had some good news this morning, that I'd like to share with the DU community. You may recall that in October of 2014, an intoxicated, off-duty officer shot my cousin and his son in a "road rage" incident. My cousin's 26-year old son died in my cousin's arms. My cousin underwent surgery that saved his life, though obviously, his life would never be the same.

When the thug -- who had a history of threatening people with guns, including shooting towards teenagers on 3-wheelers who were not on his property, and at least two other drivers on local highways -- had a bail hearing, members of this community contacted both the DA and judge to say no bail. This effort more than doubled the previous high number of citizens who had voiced an opinion on a previous case. Although the thug likely wouldn't have gotten bail, and surely faced conviction, that DU response really caught the attention of the county's legal community.

After the thug was convicted, my cousin became determined to file in civil court for damages. The convict's wife had divorced him, and had accessed 50% of his pension from the New York City police department, from which he had "retired" under circumstances that remain sealed. The first PI attorney we met with said he was passing on the case for two reasons: it wasn't a "deep pocket," and it would be unlikely my cousin could ever collect, even if he won the case. He said that the NYC police and the group handling their pension fund had an impenetrable wall surrounding them.

The second attorney said it was possible to win a judgement, but there was less than a 5% chance of ever collecting a dime. He would rsearch every previous case he could regarding pensions, and said it would be a long and frustrating case with little chance of a satisfactory ending. Then he said he didn't care if the thug's only resource was an old wheelbarrow, let's get started.

They won a civil case in NYS Supreme Court. And the state appeals court upheld the thug's conviction. Still, Mr. Thug attempted to appeal the civil court judgement on his own, in hand-written papers from his prison cell. No surprise that failed. Thus began the five and a half year effort to collect. My cousin wasn't interested in the potential money itself, but rather was opposed to the thug having any funds to make his incarceration less unpleasant. And t has been a hell of a legal battle from day one.

But today, my cousin got the first check. It looks like he will be able to make larger monthly donations to the two local animal shelters, which was his son's passion in life.

Peace, H2O Man

[Beakybird]

1. A bittersweet end to a bitter story. Congratulations to your cousin.

[H2O Man]

4. It is, indeed.

When we were talking this morning, we opted to put it into our family history. In September of 1969, our uncle was murdered in a bar over a card game. Same county. No arrests, though the identity of his murderer was no secret. In the early 1980s, our cousin -- the son of that uncle -- was an ex-Marine, murdered over a $20 bag of pot, in the next county over. Again, no arrests. So although there is no power on earth that can bring my cousin's son back to life, there is the power of the justice system working correctly.

[hlthe2b]

2. Thank you for this timely update. I remember this incident clearly and had wondered how it turned

out.

I don't really believe in "closure," but I do believe in Justice. To the extent this is possible, it sounds like your cousin and family have reaped some degree of satisfaction.

I am glad.

May your late cousin RIP.

[H2O Man]

6. Thank you!

If there is such a thing as "closure," I have never witnessed it. The pain is still there daily, especially for my cousin and his daughter. But yeah, there is definitely some degree of satisfaction.

[PatSeg]

3. That's incredible

Thanks for sharing.

[H2O Man]

8. Thanks!

There were many people who played important roles. The thud fully expected the NYS Police investigators to take his side. They didn't. We couldn't have asked for more from the investigators, from the day of the incident right through their testimony in court. The DA and the judge were outstanding, too. And I'll never forget the support from the DU community.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Ah, my dear H20 Man! As soon as I saw your thread title, I remembered this awful incident.

To say that I am pleased at this amazing outcome would be an understatement!

Justice has been done, as much as possible.

May your cousin's son rest in peace.

[H2O Man]

9. Thank you!

I was reminded of what friend Rubin had said in DC on the July 4th, 1976 celebration: "Miracle do happen -- they just take a dog-gone lotta work." And this aging hippie lawyer put in a dog-gone lot of work!

[Hekate]

7. We remember. Thank you so much for letting us know this outcome....

[H2O Man]

11. Thanks, Hekate!

My uncle -- the father & grandfather of the shooting victims, died last month at 93. He was a WW2 hero, and one of the most fun people I've ever met. I never heard him raise his voice a single time -- something rare among fathers in my extended family. (grin) But this horrible incident changed him, as he was in a quiet pain ever since. I so wish he lived to see this. But my 92-year old aunt is still here, as clear-minded an Elder as I've ever met. I'm happy for her today.

[Piasladic]

10. wonderful news

I loved the wheelbarrow bit. If I were to die, I'd want my family to fight and donate in the same way. I am thinking of your cousin's son and will try to make the world a better place.

[H2O Man]

13. Thank you!

I liked that attorney from the first moment I heard him speak. Throughout the years, he said that this case wasn't about winni8ng or losing money, it was about justice. I respect that.

[Fla Dem]

12. I remeber the original post and at the time was devastated

your cousin's son died in his arms. So glad they persevered and won a settlement.

[H2O Man]

17. Thanks!

It took everything my cousin had, moments after his son died, to crawl to his vehicle, stand up, and write the thug's license plate number in the dust on his back window. He has carried on in the same manner every day since.

[CoopersDad]

14. I don't know what to say, I missed the earlier posts.

My sadness is lifted by knowing that some justice has been done.

Be well, H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

21. Thank you!

It was a terrible case. The thug was a retired NYC cop, and we were not able to access the information regarding why they retired him early. One of my uncles from the other side of my family, a retired BCI senior investigator then working as a PI with our retired FBI cousin, wasn't able to find out. But he said the NYC police protect their own criminals.

He had been caught at least twice threatening others on the highway with a gun. However, he had lost his right to own any firearms. But because he was an ex-cop, no one checked his background.

He had lost a job at Hartwick College in Oneonta for repeatedly being drunk on the job and threatening students. Then he landed a job as a guard in the county jail, where co-workers complained he was always intoxicated. There had been some conflict at the end of his night shift, and he left work that morning as an angry man. Within a few hours, he was drunk and on the road. I'm confident that he would have shot and killed someone else that morning, if not my family members. But he was furious that my relative was driving the speed limit.

[robertpaulsen]

15. "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice"

My deep and bittersweet congratulations to your cousin to proving that with love and perserverance, the arc of the moral universe will continue to bend the way it should.

[H2O Man]

23. Thanks, Friend!

[momta]

71. I love this quote!

One of my all time favorites. And I remember this case. I certainly hope this is a sign of things to come.

[Red Mountain]

16. I shed a happy tear for your cousin

and seriously wonder when that became an option. Stories like this impact me a lot more than they used to.

Getting old, I guess. LOL.

[H2O Man]

24. Right.

Now we are focusing on making it where if an ex-cop/jail guard is found with a gun, the police do not take his word that the gun is legal. If other police agencies had checked in any one of at least three prior threatening incidents, they could have charged him and took his guns. I say that recognizing that he might have gotten more illegal weapons. But it still should have been done.

[Glorfindel]

18. Thanks for sharing this good news, H2O Man!

Once in a while the good guys do win!

[H2O Man]

25. Thank you!

One of my relatives used to say that there must be a lot of good in the world, otherwise all the bad would have destroyed humanity completely. Much of the time, of course, good people have to struggle to produce those good things that sustain us.

[onethatcares]

19. good to hear

may mr thug rot in his cell with no toothpaste.

[H2O Man]

26. He will first be

in a position to possibly be paroled when he turns 92. It is mighty hard to reach that age in a NYS maximum security facility. He remains a bitter, mean person, who refuses to take any responsibility. More than anyone else, he makes it hard for me to be forgiving. Best I might do is, when he croaks, say, "May he rust in pieces."

[grantcart]

33. It is also a comfort to know that his former employment with the NYC Police Department

is undoubtedly well received by his current neighbors and makes a popular guy in the cell block.

[H2O Man]

51. Oh, absolutely!

Arrogant, self-righteous ex-cops always make very popular inmates. I almost said "targets," but I'll stick with "inmates."

[Jedi Guy]

74. How in the blue hell can he refuse to accept responsibility for what he did?

That just doesn't compute at all. Does he allege that the gun fired itself? Does he believe your cousin and his son had it coming? Like what the hell. I can't wrap my mind around that kind of thinking, particularly since if he had owned up to what he did and expressed sincere remorse, odds are things would have gone better for him in terms of legal outcomes, like a reduced sentence or an earlier possible parole date. I just don't get it.

My condolences to you and your cousin for your loss, and I'm glad that at the end of the day, some small measure of justice was granted.

[H2O Man]

77. Thanks!

During the criminal trial, when my cousin was on the witness stand, the thug kept waving his middle finger at him. Then started mouthing the words, "Fuck you," before saying that rather loudly.

When the thug took the stand, he couldn't explain why he had thrown his gun towards the river, just before buying another six-pack .....which he consumed while driviing the four miles to the State Police barracks. The testimony of the investigators he spoke with showed that he expected them to protect him, maybe bring a knife to the scene to "prove" they attacked him. But that didn't work out well for him. Not at all. Nor was it to his advantage when the police found his gun on the bank near the river he attempted to throw it into.

[Jedi Guy]

95. Wow, what a piece of shit. May he get everything he deserves.

Again, condolences for your loss.

[ms liberty]

20. So glad for this news. There is satisfation amidst the sorrow. n/t

[H2O Man]

29. Many thanks!

Now we are hoping to do something within our state government, to hopefully reduce the chances of any one else being the victim of this type of thing. Obviously a big project, but worth our efforts. And, with both of us being retire old men, we have the time to invest in this. There were at least three opportunities for law enforcement to remove the guns he had illegally, had they not taken his word that they wre licensed and thus legal.

[mountain grammy]

22. Thank you for sharing this..

I've been following this since it happened. Best news since the thug went to prison. No life can be replaced, there is only justice. Seems to be in short supply these days.

[H2O Man]

31. Thanks!

It is in short supply. But we are lucky to have had the support of people like you, to give us the strength to carry on. This could have been prevented, and we will now work to decrease the chances of it ever happening again. While there really is no doubt it will continue to happen, if our efforts can reduce the chances, it is well worth-while.

[rurallib]

27. Thanks so much for the update

Your story has rumbled in my brain a few times wondering what happened.

This is the silver lining around the cloud, but that does help a little with all your cousin has been through.

My hopes for continued good things to come.

[H2O Man]

35. Thank you!

And you are right, of course, about what my cousin has been through. And still goes through, as being shot point-blank in the abdomen has created on-going health issues, on top of the psychological injuries.

I appreciate your message!

[Nevilledog]

28. Consequences....not enough, but at least some.

[H2O Man]

36. Exactly!

That is absolutely the Truth. You nailed it. I think it is a shame that, despite a NYS Supreme Court order directing them otherwise, the pension fund was providing the thug with cash in his prison account for several years. Even in a few cases where I've disagreed with the state's Supreme Court justices over the decades, I've always respected the court's decisions.

[SergeStorms]

30. Great news, Water Dude!

The judicial system might grind slowly at times, but they usually get it right (being in a blue state also helps.)

I'm glad that sorry sack of shit got what he deserved, but it's still small consolation for a young man's life. I hope your cousin's psyche has healed somewhat, and I know his son would have loved the gifts to the local animal shelters in his name.

Give your cousin our best regards.

[H2O Man]

37. Thanks!

I surely do appreciate your kind message. And you can be 100% sure that I will relay it to my cousin when we speak later tonight. He and I have always been very close -- much more brothers than cousins -- and this entire situation has brought us much closer. Yet, I'll never forget the last time I saw both of them -- my cousin wasn't home when I first got to his house, and it gave me about an hour to talk to his son. I was so impressed with the man he was, truly a gentle giant, with a quiet wisdom usually found in older people. When my cousin got home, I remember telling him how impressed I was with his son. A few days after that, his life ended.

[SergeStorms]

68. Cherish that memory...

of your conversation with the young man. You learned everything you ever needed to know about his character in the span of an hour. I hope you've shared that story with your cousin, although it would probably lead to a tearful, emotional aftermath.
It's so difficult to lose a loved one in the prime of their life. I cant imagine the grief your cousin endured. He must have a good head on his shoulders, so I can see where his son learned to be so level headed.

[panader0]

32. When I saw 'Road Rage' in your title I knew it was about this.

2014! It is amazing how long it can take the wheels to grind. I'm glad for the good news.
I'm glad the asshole is still in the can. Maybe he won't be able to afford commissary privileges now.
Still it brings a sadness.....I can't imagine.

[H2O Man]

38. Yes, it does

bring back the sadness and pain. We were both happy this morning when we spoke on the phone. It is a victory. But as the day has gone on, all of the rest comes up. So I'll be giving my cousin a call soon. Until then, the kindness and support of you and the DU community is helping me process this -- and I don't have words to express just how much this means to me. So thank you very much!

[bucolic_frolic]

34. Tireless pursuit tempered with realism

Criminals get away with too much. My dad used to say "people have too many rights in this country". Of course he was always ready to hang everyone. I once asked, "What do you do if they get the wrong guy?" "Ahh! Never happen." I asked "What do you do if the wrong guy is you?" No response.

But I do wonder how the criminals get off lightly far too often, the innocent get convicted occasionally, and the ambulance chasers only take the big cases. There's rarely a cop when you need one, or a lawyer who follows the truth no matter the money behind it.

You should be proud! What a great outcome.

[H2O Man]

43. When as a young teen,

I began corresponding with an incarcerated Hurricane named Rubin Carter, my father told me to stop. He said that Rubin was a murderer. I asked how he knew that for sure? Dad said, "You can tell just by looking at him." I suppose that made sense to a first-generation Irish-American -- one of 14 siblings, over half of whom were high up in state and national law enforcement or intelligence.

Luckily, it made the exact opposite than sense to me. Thus, I maintained a 40+ years close friendship with Rubin. Since the man who actually held and used the shotgun Rubin was convicted of using admitted to commiting the brutal triple murder on his death bed -- even though we believed we knew his identity by 1974, though were prevented from bringing in police records that documented that the police had investigated him in 1965-66 and 73-74 for being the murderer. So I knew he was not only not guilty, but also innocent.

Rubin used to say that eing innocent is vastly over-rated in the justice system. I was amazed with his work around the world to deliver justice where there were wrongly-convicted people serving life sentences. I think that good investigators and prosecutors usually get the right criminal. I do. But I think even in those cases, if one investigator makes an error -- or a bad cop messes with evidence and/or witnesses -- the wrong people get convicted often enough that it is cause for concern.

In this case, it is enough to make me question any arrests this killer ex-cop made when he was working in NYC. We'll never know, but I will always wonder. Either way, he is exactly where he, for the public's safety. I do try to get past my strong negative feelings about the guy. But I am happy today that he can't afford a potato chip, not even one.

[Mr.Bill]

39. Hats off to your cousin.

Never quit when you're in the right.

[H2O Man]

46. Thank you!

My cousin was a high-ranking member of the carpenters' union for decades, and always recognized the need for unions to back Democrats at every level. I was in a couple unions, VP of the county workers' union, but my cousin was far more effective than me. He was one of my resources.

After he retired, and was no longer a union leader, he became far less involved politically, other than voting in every election for the Democratic Party candidates. Many generations on my maternal side were union activists, of course, as well as those who immigrated and got jobs on the canals and railroads on my paternal side. But I was even more political outside of union work. There had been guys on the paternal side that were in elected positions in city and state government.

Since the incident, my cousin has become a very active member of the Democratic Party. We travel city-to-city in upstate New York to campaign for our candidates. I think that is in recognition and honor of recognizing that "politics" often plays a very influential role in our day-to-day -- including when we are not consciously aware of it.

[wryter2000]

40. Wonderful news

I imagine your cousin will love very check.

[H2O Man]

57. Thanks!

While it's going to be a monthly reminder, that's okay because he lives with it daily. That shooting influences everything he does. He isn'y going to touch a penny of it himself, and that means a lot to us.

[MLAA]

41. Sending you, your cousin and your whole family love.

I cannot imagine what you and the family have gone through and continue to go through. I am so glad your cousin has the small comfort of making the Fucker pay and pay through prison and his money.

[H2O Man]

58. Well, thank you!

That means a lot!

The family has been through a lot over the years. As I mentioned earlier on this thread, we've had an uncle and cousin murdered in our life-times, with no arrests, no justice. So we are very happy that, tragic as it is, this case has resulted in an arrest and conviction, and now the win through civil court.

I remember the criminal trial. One day, one of his daughters attended. But no one from his family at any other day, or the previous hearings. I may be wrong, but I suspect his incarceration are something of a relief for his ex-wife and daughters. He must have been miserable to live with. His daughters attended the school that my daughters did, and where I was a BOE member. He attended a few evening functions there, and struck me as a hostile drunken asshole.

[MLAA]

69. Oh my gosh, I hadn't realized you were somewhat acquainted with asshole.

I agree, I bet his ex wife and daughters were fearful of him, ashamed of him and mortified by his actions.

[Woodwizard]

42. I remember.

I am in the Catskills remember it in the news and then you posting about it. What a horrible event, I hope it brings a little justice to your cousin he has to be scarred for life.

[H2O Man]

60. Thanks, Woodwizard!

I appreciate that.

I think it is good for the communities involved, too. A lot of people know my cousin, his siblings, and his parents. Their kids went to school with my cousin's son and daughter. No one could understand how or why this happened to the thug's two victims. While noth were large, strong men, they were gentle, really friendly and good-natured men. So that degree of hatred and rage required to shoot them for going the speed limit on a two-lane highway took a toll on so many people. I loved the support that came from the communities in response.

My cousin is indeed scarred for life. Yet, in many ways, he has become stronger, not because of this, but in spite of it.

[lunatica]

44. Good for your hardheaded cousin!

Determination is a good thing in the pursuit of any objective.

[H2O Man]

62. Right!

I remember my paternal uncle, the retired senior investigator, telling me that the NYC police and the group doing their pension fund would try to get a delay after delay ......hoping my cousin would give up in frustration as it dragged on. He grew up in the same rural neighborhood as my uncle, the father-grandfather of the victims, a friendship of about 75 years then. He said do not let frustration enter your minds -- stay focused, and keep fighting. Never give up. And that's exactly what my cousin did.

[lunatica]

70. Well that makes it good news indeed!

His patience paid off. Children really are the major motivators for parents. Don’t hurt our kids! Hell hath no fury!

[Ilsa]

45. I remember you telling us about that tragic event.

I'm glad your cousin has decided to put the "blood money" to work keeping his son's passion alive. I hope it offers some solace.

[H2O Man]

63. Thanks!

I remember, as a teen, my father saying I was like my aunt -- the grandmother of my cousin's son. He said she housed every stray animal in the rehion, and I housed every stray kid! (My father got a lot of those stray kids good jobs. I think he liked them all, and wanted to help them become independent.)

My aunt, 92, still has a variety of stray cats and dogs she cares for until she finds homes for them. My cousin loves animals, and has long been a contributor to the local shelters. But his son was exactly like his grandmother! He never said no to helping any animal, domestic or wild. And he was really so good with them. So my cousin will carry that on.

[trof]

47. Damn! Seven long years.

They say that the wheels of justice grind slowly but, at least in some cases, they grind.
Small recompense, but it's something.
Thanks for the update.

[H2O Man]

65. Thanks, trof!

It sure can be a slow process. And this is, overall, small potatoes compared to the loss. But, man oh man, it feels good today!

[Kali]

48. stories of actual justice being done are so important

thanks for the update, I often wondered how things turned out from this tragedy.

[H2O Man]

66. Thank you!

I agree that stories of actual justice are important. Perhaps especially so in cases where a victim is murdered by a law enforcement officer. I say that as someone with respect for good law enforcement officers, including those involved in this case. I can't say that I've had a lot of experience with the NYCPD. For years, about the only thing I knew came from reading "Serpico." But in the past few decades, a large number of retired NYC cops have moved into the area. Some are really good people, and some are obnoxious shitheads with a sense of entitlement.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

49. I likewise remember your posts back when your cousin was murdered.

I am so glad you've shared this news.

Back then I was here with a different screen name, but I recall your rage and grief very clearly.

[H2O Man]

67. Thanks!

Sometimes it seems so long ago, and other times very recent. It changes a family, an extended family. And you are 100% correct: I was filled with rage and grief. Even hatred for the thug. And I still wrestle with that at times. I know that hate and rage destroy the vessel that contain it, to paraphrase one of Rubin's favorite Twain quotes. So I try not to hate, though that sometimes requires patience with myself. Especially when I think of the damage this guy did. It makes it hard.

[catrose]

50. It's hard to realize it's been that long; I remember your post so clearly.

I'm not sure anyone ever feels good after a law suit, even the winning side, but I hope your cousin can find peace. At least he has no more legal hassles. And the animals at the shelters will have a much better life.

[H2O Man]

78. Thank you!

It does seem strange to think about how long ago that was. Yet I remember it clearly. I heard on the radio that two people had been shot -- just a few miles from my home -- and that there would be traffic delays as the police had closed the highway. A few minutes later, I learned from my aunt that it was her son and grandson, and that the younger man had died. I had to drive the back roads to pick my younger daughter up from her after-school soccer practice. I wanted to be the one to tell her.

A good reporter from the largest newspaper in our region contacts my cousin now and then. He says this case is the most upsetting he has ever reported on. And he wants to do up-dates. I'm half-tempted, if he does, of sending the thug a copy of the article saying his resource from pension has dried up.

[PCIntern]

52. My God it's been a long and arduous journey

Peace to you, and to your family. May your cousin’s memory always be for a blessing.

[H2O Man]

79. Thanks, PCIntern

Much appreciated.

My Native American friends say that when a young person dies, it means that the living should study what message they delivered in their brief life. I remain in contact withhis best friends from his school days through early adulthood. They all talk about how kind and gentle he was, and how he made efforts to be nice to the kids on the margins. I think of that, and the way he loved animals. And he and I shared a love of fossils, something we both collected and compared.

[malaise]

53. Excellent news my brother

[H2O Man]

80. Thank you!

I do appreciate that, my Wonderful Sister!

[Takket]

54. glad to hear this news. nothing will ever replace you loved one, but this must be satisfying for

them.

[H2O Man]

81. Thanks!

My cousin was very pleased by this yesterday. But you are right -- nothing replaces what that thug took from my family.

[Wild blueberry]

55. Justice

I remember all your posts. Thank you for sharing your family's persistence and love, and now the justice.
Please give your cousin a hug from all of us at DU.

[H2O Man]

82. Yes, I will!

My cousin has been very impressed with the outpouring of support from the DU community. It gives yhim needed strength to carry on. Recently, by way of the internet, he has joined an informal support group that consists primarily of people from Lakota Territory, who have had family members murdered and with zero arrests much less justice. And so we recognize that although we did get justice, there are a lot of families that neve4r have and never will.

[Uncle Joe]

56. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

83. Thanks Uncle Joe!

Long time, no see -- as the old saying goes! I hope all is well with you & yours.

[Uncle Joe]

93. It is,

I hope all is well with you too H2O Man.

[sinkingfeeling]

59. Wow, I didn't realize the incident took place so long ago. Seems

like I followed the story just months past. Guess that proves I'm getting old.

Congratulations.

[H2O Man]

84. Thanks!

I suspect that we are getting older. (grin) I pick up on hints such as remembering taking walking for granted! But I still enjoy going out into my garden, feeding the animals, and having a flock of various recently-hatched fowl following me around. Plus one Guinea hen has been setting on 31 eggs, which will result in an increase in the flock.

Plus I like to sit and think. And thinking about this episode is easier because of the Good People on this forum. So, again, thank you!

[FakeNoose]

61. This is heart-breaking story, and there really are no winners

... but congratulations to your long-suffering cousin. I'm glad he's finally seeing a payoff after all these years. What a remarkable attorney who filed this case in spite of the long odds.

[H2O Man]

85. Thank you, FakeNoose!

You are right, of course -- there were no winners. Everyone lost. And the attorney was remarkable, indeed. I've been very impressed with him.

[burrowowl]

64. Thanks for the update. At least some justice was done.

[H2O Man]

86. Thank you!

I'm thankful that in this horrible circumstance, both the criminal and civil courts delivered justice. That is not always the case. Although it doesn't stop the pain, I know that injustice always adds to it. This lessened it.

[malthaussen]

72. About as satisfactory an ending as could be expected...

... "satisfactory" being not exactly the right word. May the thug in question have a long and miserable life as a ward of the State.

-- Mal

[H2O Man]

87. Exactly.

A curious part was when the thug attempted an appeal of his criminal conviction. He filed hand-written papers from his jail cell. Either he is a sociopath, or his ex-wife wouldn't hire an attorney for him. Or both, I suspect.

[Hulk]

73. Sad story...

But at least there was a glimmer of redemption.

Do you know if the check he received impacts the thug and his ex with their pensions? Sure hope so.

[H2O Man]

88. Thank you!

His wife immediately divorced him after the shooting. I think that was in part because no one could possibly stand to engage in a relationship with him, and partly to protect her assets. He signed their house over to her, for example.

The settlement provided her with 50% of his pension. My cousin gets the thug's 50%, which had been going into his prison account, despite the NYS Supreme Court order. But not any more.

Had Mr. Thug allowed his ex-wife to get, say, 90% of his pension, my cousin could have only collected 10%. But he didn't anticipate the civil suit. Thus, as the ancient Irish proverb says, "Fuck him."

[spanone]

75. It's a wonderful thing when justice prevails. Thank your cousin for supporting the animal shelters!

Great Post

K&R

[H2O Man]

89. Thank you!

And I will surely relay your message! It does my cousin good to hear these things!

[calimary]

76. Thank you for keeping us posted on this.

Very happy about the outcome. There's one schmuck who won't be able to cause grief to anybody else - for a long time.

[H2O Man]

91. Thanks, calimary!

The day of the shooting, my oldest frien from early childhood visited me. His family has been good friends with my family for generations. I remember him saying the thug was going to kill someone that day, and it just happened to be my family. So I'm glad that scum won't be able to threaten or harm anyone else. I doubt his arrogant attitude plays well in prison.

[Kid Berwyn]

90. !

Words, actions, money. No thing can bring relief to your cousin for his irreplaceable loss. Only the love of family and friends can make the pain bearable. Thank you for sharing, P.

[H2O Man]

92. Thank you!

True. And well said.

I think that justice helps. I can compare it to our having had an uncle murdered in a bar, and a cousin (his son), an ex-Marine, murdered over a $20 bag of pot, with no arrests or justice. So this is better.

[Kid Berwyn]

94. I remember now that you had referred to another loss.

I am truly sorry, my Friend.

While weed is relatively harmless, people will harm one another for mere money or even the high. I don’t believe cannabis itself makes people violent — it’s how they are raised and their failure to learn how to treat others properly.

My late father hated pot, pot smoking and all the rest. When he was a teen, a friend of his was murdered in a pool hall over a small amount. He always associated that heinous crime with the plant.

Personally, I wish it were legal then and today. Prohibition is profitable for the powerful and their lackeys.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

96. Good.

One less sociopath able to hurt and kill people.

One less asshole cop.

Thank you for persuing
Justice until Justice came through.

[Atticus]

97. It is always good to hear that the good guys won, but I am sure your cousin does not feel

that this hard-fought win has "made him whole". Justice---earthly justice, anyway---has its limits.

Thank you for caring enough to keep us in the loop.