Taranaki farmer aquitted

[Lou Girardin]

Gavin Vanner, who's daughter died in a quad accident, was aquitted after the jury deliberated for a mere 90 minutes.
At least the jury viewed the matter with commonsense, unlike the Police and Crown Prosecutors who should never have contemplated a prosecution in the first place.
A Police spokesman said they brought the prosecution to "highlight the issue of ATV safety". Fine weasel words, but since when is that their role? We have OSH and other busybody organisations for that. Federated Farmers had already circulated guidelines on ATV use to their members.
When is this country going to get away from the desire to punish people for all infractions?

[Paul in NZ]

When is this country going to get away from the desire to punish people for all infractions?

Just as soon as everybody start complying with our instructions.... "Oh, is this thing on?"

[miSTa]

Good to see no convictions were recorded. Common sense prevailed finally.

[MisterD]

Common sense prevailed finally.

How many more velocity tax notices will need to be issued to pay for this debacle though?

[Swoop]

I hope the crown paid for all expenses and costs incurred to defend themselves against these unwarranted charges. Unfortunately the police do manage to get the odd conviction simply because people give up because of the crippling costs involved. (Please do not start citing the use of "legal aid" as this only kicks in at a certain earnings level, and a farmer would probably have to declare bancruptcy to qualify)

/rant.

[tracyprier]

That's the point though innit? As Lou said, why the hell was the poor sod put through this in the first place. As if he isn't tormented enough by what happened.

Same shit as what happens if you kill someone while defending yourself... you are instantly viewed as the bad guy and usually brought up on charges.

I tell ya... come the day of the revolution....

Good to see no convictions were recorded. Common sense prevailed finally.

[Colapop]

Poor bastard. I'm sure he meant to kill his daugther, why else would they have brought charges against him?
Good on the justice system for tormenting someone who's life has been turned upside down. I'm he'll really never forgive himself now....

[Sniper]

Common sense

[soundbeltfarm]

we know the vanners (well more so my wife)
our kids go to playcentre and wotnot with them.
and it was a relief with the verdict he will never forgive himself and that'll be the worst punishment for him.
he is so different from the cocky gav we used to know ,
now he is a broken man.
the police that were involved with this case were very happy with the outcome of this ( this is only what i have been told by family members)
lets hope they can rebuild some normal lifestyle again.

[Hitcher]

This whole business is just so wrong on so many levels.

Let's just look at the facts:

1. Through parental neglect and carelessness a child died.
2. A parent had been consistently taking liberties with the health and safety of their children.

A "not guilty" verdict and no consequences is, in my view, wrong. My preferred outcome would have been for a "guilty" verdict, but with no sentence enforced. I understand the grief, guilt and loss the father may take with him to his grave, but the bottom line is that he still did a bad and unnecessary thing that resulted in the death of his daughter.

He had taken no precautions to ensure her wellbeing and protection -- neither of them was wearing any safety equipment -- and the bike had problems with its brakes and steering.

Quad bikes are dangerous, irrespective of the age of the rider.

A "not guilty" verdict basicly says it's OK if your kids die through avoidable neglect. I, for one, don't agree with this.

[terbang]

Oh great does this mean I can give my 14 YO daughter the keys to the Busa..?
Tend to go along with hitcher there no need to punish the poor guy as I think he is probably in hell now but a guilty verdict will be there, on record, to remind others about thier responsibilitys with dangerous equipment.

[Lou Girardin]

Hitcher, what would a conviction achieve?
A public record that he's been punished? Perhaps some jail time to complete the destruction of his family?
I think all that needed to be done was done before he was charged.

[Skyryder]

This whole business is just so wrong on so many levels.

Let's just look at the facts:

1. Through parental neglect and carelessness a child died.
2. A parent had been consistently taking liberties with the health and safety of their children.

A "not guilty" verdict and no consequences is, in my view, wrong. My preferred outcome would have been for a "guilty" verdict, but with no sentence enforced. I understand the grief, guilt and loss the father may take with him to his grave, but the bottom line is that he still did a bad and unnecessary thing that resulted in the death of his daughter.

He had taken no precautions to ensure her wellbeing and protection -- neither of them was wearing any safety equipment -- and the bike had problems with its brakes and steering.

Quad bikes are dangerous, irrespective of the age of the rider.

A "not guilty" verdict basicly says it's OK if your kids die through avoidable neglect. I, for one, don't agree with this.

I agree Hitch. This is not about punishment but the acknowldgement that an indavidual died unneccessarily. To me it sends a clear message that if you do not take the appropiated precautions with your children and they die as a result then you are considered blameless. That some here see this as a common sense verdict I find surprising. Perhaps they see common sense as having the same meaning as sympathy. Placing the man in jail is not the answer but at least a guilty verdict by the jury would have sent a clear message that the death of one's children is unacceptable in an avoidable accident. I can only speculate but I wonder if the verdict would have been the same if it had been someone else's child.

Greenie coming Hitch


Skyryder

[Indoo]

I just can't comprehend why you would let a 4 year old kid ride a adult atv in the first place, not only without a helmet but also without you being able to safely supervise her.

Not only that but you have a bunch of other farmers coming up on the stand saying they do the exact same thing, apparently because they think its safe. Despite the fact that 50 or so kids are injured and some killed every year as a result of atv crashes.

I think if he wasn't charged it would send out the message that such deaths should just be accepted along the lines of oh well its just a tragic accident. It might have been an accident but it was also one that was forseeable and completely preventable.

[Biff]

Poor judgement on behalf of the father resulted in the tragic death of a 4 years old. And while I wouldn’t want to see the father convicted, as he's going to suffer enough with guilt for the rest of his life, the police had no alternative but to present his case to the courts, because he obviously broke the law in allowing a 4 year old, a kid to ride a potentially lethal machine.

Thankfully the jury let him off. However, had they been so inclined, they would have been well within their rights to find him guilty.

RIP little un. And I hope dad manages to find some solace in the fact that the jury probably reflects the majority of people's opinions - You made a tragic error in judgement - but you're forgiven.