Italian scientists guilty of manslaughter in 2009 earthquake

[chemgear]

Seems kinda crazy to me. Waiting for financial planners to be jailed for not predicting stock drops/poor results now.


Scientists sentenced to six years in prison for insufficiently warning victims:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2...sts-trial.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2...e-arrests.html

Seven scientists on trial for manslaughter linked to an earthquake in Italy that killed more than 300 people have been sentenced to six years in prison, a court has ruled.

The victims of the earthquake in L'Aquila have also been awarded between €40,000 to €450,000 ($52,000 to $584,000 Cdn), said freelance journalist Megan Williams.

. . .

Defence lawyers condemned the charges, saying it's impossible to predict earthquakes. Seismologists have long concurred, saying the technology doesn't exist to predict a quake and that no major temblor has ever been foretold.

According to the commission's memo, issued one week before the big quake, the experts concluded that it was "improbable" that there would be a major quake though it added that one couldn't be excluded.

[polak]

Wow. This has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life.

I wish Canada would give these guys some sort of immunity or sanctuary. That is outright ridiculous.

[Thor]

They focus on that memo, but still completely ignore a world wide consensus in the field that you cannot predict earthquakes and that even giving out warnings is difficult because of all the pressure these guys are under, false warnings cost money.

They are damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[The Coppernian One]

This is brutal. They've just established that no authority is going to put their name on anything in case it doesn't play out that way or they're going to be made because they're paying millions in false warnings.

[mikephoen]

This ruling is just crazy!

Italy's justice system is scary. I read 'The Monster of Florance' a few years ago and it didn't paint a very pretty picture of the police/court system in Italy. Highly recommended book, btw.

[HELPNEEDED]

As a Geophysicist that ruling is absolutley insane.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

This ruling is just crazy!

Italy's justice system is scary. I read 'The Monster of Florance' a few years ago and it didn't paint a very pretty picture of the police/court system in Italy. Highly recommended book, btw.

No need to go that far back, how about Amanda Knox!

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

As a Geophysicist that ruling is absolutley insane.

As a geophysicist, I agree.

[Rathji]

I think this is an awesome ruling, and if I was a scientist in the field, I think I would try to get a position in Italy to replace the people that are obviously no longer working.

Just think of it, you go to work every day in your lab, watch some movies, catch up on CP, maybe rub one out in the closet if the new intern staff is looking good, then just as you are about to go home, you quickly print out a form letter that says there is going to be an earthquake tomorrow, sign it and you are set.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah, Italy's legal structure is downright embarrassing.

[photon]

So now are the police and legal system that didn't predict and prevent this group of scientists from killing 300 people going to be charged and convicted as well?

What about the administration that hired the scientists?

[Thor]

Ultimately it leads to a court case against God, which in Italy wouldn't seem so out of the question.

[Cowboy89]

I feel for the scientists. Very short sighted, considering that pretty much no one's going to work in that field in the future if you would be imprisoned if there ever is a major quake during your career.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

As a geophysicist, I agree.

As a gynecologist, the whole thing seems fishy.

[schteve_d]

I am blown away that a ruling like that is even fathomable in any developed nation in this day and age. I certainly hope something is done to help these scientists out of this ridiculous situation.

[Thor]

Yes this decision sounds like it belongs in the same vain as child witches in Africa.

[polak]

How are the people of Italy not outraged and embarrassed by this? Are there any comments from the general public?

If this was happening here I'm pretty sure the outcry would be ridiculous. This is unfathomable to me.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by polak

How are the people of Italy not outraged and embarrassed by this? Are there any comments from the general public?

If this was happening here I'm pretty sure the outcry would be ridiculous. This is unfathomable to me.

Maybe they are scared of what could happen to them if they speak out. Doesn't seem like justice is easy to come by there.

[FlamesAddiction]

Manslaughter... seriously? What an outrage.

There were millions of years of pre-meditation here. If that is not 1st degree, then I don't know what it is. I guess they are just a bunch of bleeding hearts over there.

Next, I hope they target meterologists for all those people that froze to death last winter in Europe.

[polak]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Maybe they are scared of what could happen to them if they speak out. Doesn't seem like justice is easy to come by there.

Definitely.
Their whole system is on Shakey Ground