Felony snowball throwing????

[suzanne1020U.S.]

.....I have to say it......

Sounds like a "snowjob" to me.

[Outshined]

Years ago, I was working, driving around looking for kids throwing snowballs at cars. It was around 9pm and I had my window down, I was hit in the side of the head causing stitches and a concussion. I was out of work for two weeks.

[retdetsgt]

It IS possible that the suspects talked themselves into going to jail...

Quite. I have no problem with them being arrested. It's the fact they're being charged with a felony that I think is over the top. As we all know, a felony conviction carries a lot of life long consequences and I don't believe even an over the top snowball fight is worthy of that.

There are a lot of worse crimes committed on a daily basis that are still misdemeanors.

[retdetsgt]

Years ago, I was working, driving around looking for kids throwing snowballs at cars. It was around 9pm and I had my window down, I was hit in the side of the head causing stitches and a concussion. I was out of work for two weeks.

Sounds like that was more than a snowball. I've been hit in the head by ordinary snowballs lots of times with no consequences.

[Outshined]

Sounds like that was more than a snowball. I've been hit in the head by ordinary snowballs lots of times with no consequences.

It was made of snow, although it was pretty darn hard (that's what she said).
The offending ball of snow was found intact.

[retdetsgt]

It was made of snow, although it was pretty darn hard (that's what she said).
The offending ball of snow was found intact.

Must have been stored long enough to turn to ice if it was still intact. That's a horse of a different color. The snowball you make spontaneously and throw might be a bit hard, but hitting someone's head is going to bust it up.

Heck, I got into a snowball fight with my grandkids a few weeks ago and there were no injuries....

Unless you guys in NY have a different kinda snow than we do..... But seriously, I bet someone made a "police special" for you.

[MikeG]

Quite. I have no problem with them being arrested. It's the fact they're being charged with a felony that I think is over the top. As we all know, a felony conviction carries a lot of life long consequences and I don't believe even an over the top snowball fight is worthy of that.

There are a lot of worse crimes committed on a daily basis that are still misdemeanors.

If it's what has been reported, I think plea bargain is in the works. Heck, the prosecutor may even drop charges or reduce them without a plea agreement if he's being hammered with all this negative publicity.

I wonder why there weren't other charges thrown in as well? It seems that if he can make the case that it was a missile that could endanger the occupants when thrown at a car, then the same missile would be capable of assault when thrown at the occupants leaving the car. I would have thought they would have coupled it with aggravated assault of the snow plow operator if they really had a case. Or maybe there is a missing component about how they threw it that we're not getting? Dunno. I'll give on scene officer benefit of doubt until more info. Snowball felony seems extreme charge at first glance.

[retdetsgt]

If it's what has been reported, I think plea bargain is in the works. Heck, the prosecutor may even drop charges or reduce them without a plea agreement if he's being hammered with all this negative publicity.

That's not a news report I linked to, it's Smoking Gun which has the press release from the police and the recog papers of the defendants.

I would suspect the prosecutor would have a tough time convincing a jury that these guys should be convicted of a felony.

[MikeG]

That's not a news report I linked to, it's Smoking Gun which has the press release from the police and the recog papers of the defendants.

I would suspect the prosecutor would have a tough time convincing a jury that these guys should be convicted of a felony.

I didn't mean to imply a plea bargain was in the works and reported in the news. Rather, if the entire merits of the case are what is in that press release, I don't see how the prosecutor wouldn't offer either a plea bargain or drop the charges completely. I agree that a felony conviction would be difficult for throwing snowballs.

[PathosLogos]

I've been pelted with snowballs when I was working and didn't have a lot of humor about it. I can see arresting them, but charging them with felonies?????


Felony Snowball Tossing Charges Lodged - February 9, 2010

So, does this mean there's a special snowball clause for assault or battery? And if so, is there a statute of limitations on it? Because, you see, I can recall years ago--when I lived in Georgia--my younger brother putting a handful of snow down the back of my shirt...

But in regards to the article...those two guys were indisputably idiotic. I don't know if their actions exactly warranted felony charges, but I wouldn't know. Maybe the snowballs were rather icy.

Who says that global warming wouldn't be beneficial?

[BJJVad]

Hey laser lips! Your mother was a snow blower!

[retdetsgt]

Who says that global warming wouldn't be beneficial?

I love global warming! I hate being cold!

[CitizenX]

The police where I live did this as well a long time ago, except they charged them with aggravated assault - a 20 year felony

[Samuel]

The police where I live did this as well a long time ago, except they charged them with aggravated assault - a 20 year felony

Your point being... ??

[CitizenX]

If the police in a certain area are not capable of distinguishing between real threats to public safety and kids harmlessly playing and enjoying themselves, then the police themselves become a threat to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...

I know of police in another area that have taken to arresting people for disagreeing with the police officer. This is a direct violation of free speech.

I don't have a problem with any police force that doesn't act in this general manner, but some police in some areas scream for an oversight committee.