Your opinion about news helicopters crash.

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Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris suggested the suspect could "be held responsible for any of the deaths from this tragedy."

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Do you believe that the suspect should be charged for the deaths of the pilots and reporters?

I personnaly believe if it was a police helicopter or officer on the ground that charges definiately should be brought. I am not so sure in this situation. The news crew came to the situation for ratings and little help if any to law enforement.

http://www.foxnews.com/images/302317...erCrash001.jpg

It's absolutely ludicrous that the police chief would say that.

If the guy the police were chasing hits somebody during the chase, then absolutely charge him with that.

The only helicopter in the area should have been the police helicopter. The FAA shouldn't allow news helicopters any where in the vicinity of the chase.

Just my humble opinion.

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Originally Posted by loki8838

It's absolutely ludicrous that the police chief would say that.

If the guy the police were chasing hits somebody during the chase, then absolutely charge him with that.

The only helicopter in the area should have been the police helicopter. The FAA shouldn't allow news helicopters any where in the vicinity of the chase.

Just my humble opinion.

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I think that's probably going to be talked about by the FAA. While car chases are exciting, they are not as newsworthy as one might think. Not to mention, that they are extremely dangerous to anyone on the ground or hovering in the air.

On the other hand, before Fox News Channel got as big politically as it is now...it made a name for itself by cutting to live feeds of car chases. It isn't news...it's entertainment. This is an unfortunate reminder of just how oddly Americans are entertained and what the cost of entertaining us can be.

It's the media's fault. They're the ones pretending to film high speed chases to help the police, when in reality they do it for ratings. Not saying in any way that they had it coming yesterday, but in large cities where dozens of helicopters are flying around trying to be closest to the action and get the best shot, it was bound to happen.

Come on now, this is America! Land of the free and home of the unaccountable! It's always someone else's fault. This is no doubt a tragic accident, but I don't believe it's the supect's fault on this one. Plenty of blame can be put on the suspect for a lot of things involving this chase, but a helicopter crash is not one of them.

The media takes risks all the time to get footage of the "Action-Packed High Speed Chase!" for their 11:00 lead-in.

(Trust me... I live in LA/OC, the "broadcasting live crime via helicopter" capital)

The thought of someone thinking that the criminal is responsible for an accident between two media helicopter pilots is totally irrational.

The news helicopters accepted the risks of following this, whichever pilot wasn't paying attention is the one at fault.

If I'm driving and I look over to see an accident that just happened then run into the car in front of me because I was not paying attention is that the person's fault of the accident I was paying attention to instead of paying attention to where I'm driving? NO! I swear people in today's society are messed up and don't take responsibility for their actions anymore, it's always someone else's fault. I'm glad to see Josh Hancock's parents dropped the lawsuit against the resturaunt Josh was at prior to his fatal crash. Maybe they finally realized the same thing...

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"Typically air traffic controllers clear helicopters into an area where they can cover a chase like this," Gregor said. "Once they are in the area, the pilots themselves are responsible for keeping themselves separated from other aircraft."

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Guy from the FFA says it's the pilot's fault. Someone should tell the police and the families of the people on board the heli's so people don't start suing everyone involved.

It is OBVIOUSLY the pilot's fault. I am a private pilot and ulitimately it is ALWAYS the pilot's responsibility to maintain seperation from other aircraft.

Watching it on tv has given me emotional distress which has led to depression and expensive doctors visits and medication. I am going to sue the suspect.

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Originally Posted by chadm

Do you believe that the suspect should be charged for the deaths of the pilots and reporters?

I personnaly believe if it was a police helicopter or officer on the ground that charges definiately should be brought. I am not so sure in this situation. The news crew came to the situation for ratings and little help if any to law enforement.

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I agree except only not in such a politically correct manner. I think it is stupidity at it's highest degree to charge him for the murder of 4 people when all he did was steal a couple vehicles. Definitely a ratings deal IMO.

Now watch they decide not to file charges for murder to this guy and the news affiliates sue him to replace the two choppers plus $10-20 million for mental anguish..:frown3qg:

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Originally Posted by CyGal

Guy from the FFA says it's the pilot's fault.

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Man I didn't know the "Future Farmers of America" would have any clout to respond to this matter........:biggrin9gp:

Kidding of course as I am sure you meant the FAA.:yes4lo:

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Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Watching it on tv has given me emotional distress which has led to depression and expensive doctors visits and medication. I am going to sue the suspect.

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I'm suing the police department. They never should have chased him in the first place. I thought most departments had rules regarding high-speed chases??

Isn't that why OJ was blazing a trail at 45 mph?

I'm sure they could probably charge the suspect with reckless endangerment for the chase but I don't think he could be charged for manslaughter because of the helicopters. I don't think there is a precedence for implacating a suspect to a crime of this nature (if there even was one commited). It seems like it's just a ploy by the police department to deter more chases.

Trust Me, I know what I'm talking about it. I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

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Originally Posted by psycln11

I'm suing the police department. They never should have chased him in the first place. I thought most departments had rules regarding high-speed chases??

Isn't that why OJ was blazing a trail at 45 mph?

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Departments do have rules of engagement regarding high speed chases. Unfortunately none of those ROE are related to the safety of helicopters covering the event.