July 28, 2008
Not Guilty Plea in Traffic Circle Beating
Brian Keith Brown, the man accused of killing a Rainier Beach gardener with a single punch, pled not guilty today to second-degree murder charges. The hearing was brief, reportedly taking only five minutes, but it's just the beginning of what is sure to be a long and emotional case. Brown will be tried later this year, where we imagine an objective jury could be difficult to find. Until trial, he'll remain in jail. He's been forbidden by the judge to have contact with the three women also involved in the traffic altercation, including his girlfriend.
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Am I the only one wondering that, while Brown is clearly an intolerable menace, did he really commit murder? It seems like from the reports that traffic circle guy gets into fight with girls, girls' friend Brown is summoned and punches the guy. Guy falls down, cracks head and later dies. For sure his death is a result of Brown's actions, but it doesn't seem like it's obviously "...a killing caused by dangerous conduct and the offender's obvious lack of concern for human life...." Dangerous conduct, yes, obvious lack of concern, though? Maybe this would come out in a trial.
Anyway, he's definitely guilty of something so surely there will be some plea bargain, and this will never go to trial. If it does, though, please save this post so I don't have to be on the jury.
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i think if your actions result in the death of another person it's still legally murder, right? i'm no lawyer, but i vaguely remember that from whatever class i would've learned that in.
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If I'm remembering my CSI correctly, that would be "manslaughter" instead of "murder".
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Isn't there the whole distinction between murder and homicide or manslaughter? I have no idea, I just watch to many Law and Order reruns.
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Damn you thursday, you beat me to the punch.
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Yeah, but which is L&O or CSI did your education come from?
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I believe murder charges are based on intent, while manslaughter is what people are charged with when they do something illegal and kill someone without pre-planning or intent.
Thanks Law & Order (the original and SVU, troy) and an far away Intro to Law class in college!
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i was definitely tested on this in high school. must've been the half-year government class. which, clearly, taught me so much that i don't remember.