Former Altamonte Springs police officer Mark Maupin drove 100-mile-an-hour without siren or lights for no apparent reason. He ended up hitting teenager Erskin Bell who was left paralyzed and his family was left with massive monthly medical bills. Officers at the scene, however, did not give Maupin a sobriety test and now he will not be charged with any crime. He only faces the loss of his license but will keep his $5,000 a month in state retirement.
Erskine Bell Jr. was in a Honda Civic driven by friend Jessica Hernandez about 12:15 a.m. when Maupin’s patrol car rear-ended them at 104 mph. While a paramedic identified Maupin at the scene, his lawyer argued that witnesses did not conclusively identify him as the driver of the patrol car and asked for the charges to be dismissed, here.
The family later settled with the city for $2.1 million, here.
It turns out that Maupin has been in seven prior accidents, here. He has also been disciplined for speeding, failure to appear in court, sexual harassment and failure to turn in traffic citation paperwork. He skipped the hearing on this particular accident, here.
While drivers are routinely charged criminally in such cases where speeding results in deaths, police officers often escape such liability. Indeed, this case has striking similarities to a recent case out of Las Vegas, here. There are recent exceptions, however, here.
What is interesting about this case is that, unlike some cases with officers responding to call (here), this case did not involve such claims of justification.
For the full story, click here.
This calls for a trial, verdict, and judgment far in excess of the available insurance coverage so that ex-peace officer Maupin can spend the rest of his days paying $1000.00 a month for the care of this child. Were I the judge in the inevitable bankruptcy proceeding, there would be no discharge of this debt. “Scum” is too kind a word.
104 mph, rear ending car, causing serious bodily injury. No Light, No Sirens, No Justification, Not showing up in court. Sounds like a cop you want on your force.
Again, exactly what in Hell is required to get a cop fired in the South?
He shouldn’t have lasted on the force long enough to get retirement given the excellent example he was setting prior to this attempted negligent homicide. His record reads like a swaggering cowboy dipstick. And if you think that’s too harsh? Work out the math for a 2,200# car going 104 mph. The equation is F=ma. Paralyzed? The boy is lucky to be alive.
mespo727272,
This calls for a trial, verdict, and judgment far in excess of the available insurance coverage so that . . . paying $1000.00 a month for the care of this child. Were I the judge in the inevitable bankruptcy proceeding, there would be no discharge of this debt. “Scum” is too kind a word.
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Intentional Torts are rarely granted discharge. The key to consider is or was the conduct intentional rather that just reckless?
I agree with you though.
Guilty plea from Ohio trooper clocked at 147 mph
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/52956197.html
However, no accident and was off duty. 8 11 09
The violence of war is made holy when it involves “killing the bad guys”, as Arnold Swartzneggar told his wife in the movie “True Lies”.
We only kill bad guys is a justification of violence.
That sanctification is contrary to what our forefathers counselled, and as they said it would, it begins to permeate society.
Police states are often entered into when the populace has an awe and reverence of the ones wearing the robes, rather than an awe and reverence of the law and its application to everyone.
http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/08/founding-fathers-conspiracy-theories.html
Taser has announced a new weapon suitable for use by highly responsible LEO’s like Mr. Maupin.
The new XREP taser weapon went on sale in the US last month. It is wireless with a range of 150 feet and delivers a 20 second initial shock. More importantly, it is capable of re-shocking the individual if it senses that he or she is attempting to remove the barbs from their skin.
http://undercover4liberty.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/as-if-corporal-punishment-isnt-already-powerful-enough/
Taser International has indicated that this device was intended only for high risk situations. There is a comprehensive promotional video available for those interested.
Florida hits the news again with the details of a cop who ends up killing someone due to his negligence and the City has to pay out over 2 million dollars and this guy is still not charged criminally? Do the people of Florida really want to pay the $5,000 per month to this felon for his good work of getting into 7 accidents and killing a citizen? Remind me to stay out of Florida.
Some are more equal than others
Equal justice for all my ass
“Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919),”
Copied from the comments at Ohio.com-best comment
This incident sets precedent.
Any of us can do 147 out there on the interstate, with the expectation of a $150 fine and 6 months license suspension – with work privileges.
Attorneys note this…
No wonder people are growing to disrespect the law enforcement community because of the double standard treatment.
When the LEO’s of this world stop thinking that there is a division between them and civilian’s, perhaps they will then realize that actions such as Maupin’s, are exactly what causes the lack of respect they feel.
Fire and fine the officers for not taking the sobriety test. Im thinking of another extra $2.1M for the victim, if they want to they can recover it from Maupin the moron.
Broken links!
The family later settled with the city for $2.1 million,
“http://jonathanturley.org/2009/08/29/florida-police-officer-drives-100-miles-an-hour-without-lights-siren-or-reason-and-cripples-teenager-not-given-sobriety-test-and-will-not-be-criminally-charged/Maupin%20has%20resigned.%20Earlier%20this%20year,%20the%20Bell%20family%20settled%20with%20the%20city%20for%20$2.1%20million.” doesn’t exist!
Seven prior accidents.
Too bad you can’t have pre-emptive abortion. Mark Maupin should never have been born. I recommend he should commit suicide.