[silver_pilate]

I don't think anyone's trying to dispute the charges or justify anything here, James.

There's no disputing that the people racing are in the wrong (they were breaking the law), and because of their actions, someone lost their life (partially due to the fact that he/she failed to yield to the oncoming, all-be-it speeding, motorists). That's tragic.

However, there is a reason for the scaling of punishments for illeagal actions. Let's say I was chopping down a tree with an ax and you were standing beside the tree. If I'm in the middle of a swing and you slip and put you hand out to catch yourself against the tree, and I chop it off with my ax, that is truly tragic. However it is unlikely there will be criminal charges. On the other hand, if I tie you with nylon rope to the tree and I take my ax and chop your hand off, I will probably go to jail. The end is the same, but the means is different.

In the case of the street racers, there will be consequences to pay because laws were broken. No one is denying that. However, it will be in scale to the amount of criminal intent and negligence that is involved.

Hate to hear this kind of story. Everyone loses, especially the families of those involved. And that story of the girl and the motorcycle: that is truly tragic for all concerned.

--nathan