[Signing] Sabres extend Ryan O'Reilly long term (7 years, 52.5 million)

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

What was different from Heatley?

ROR could have easily killed multiple people if somebody was out front of that building.

IMO there should be severe consequences anytime somebody gets a DUI, whether somebody dies in the accident or not.

Why should the punishment be less because you hit an empty building and nobody was hurt, and somebody hit a full building and kills somebody gets way more punishment.

The act was identical and IMO both should be punished severely.

While I agree that ROR was extremely lucky that the consequences of his actions weren't more dire, he didn't actually kill anyone. That is a big difference. Getting a DUI is different from vehicular manslaughter or whatever charge that may be laid, even if the issue started with the same horrible decision making. The ramifications of that decision making absolutely make a difference in the punishment.

Unfortunately, this is just a spot on the continuum of dumb decision making. Ferland got drunk and punched a guy, Kane was a dick to a cabbie, Heatly got drunk (?) and killed his passenger and friend, MacT killing a woman with his car. Each different level of dumb, and to my knowledge none resulted in the end of a career, warranted or otherwise.

[Weitz]

Wasn't Heatley sober?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Wasn't Heatley sober?

Might have been, so I ninja edited my Heatly comment. If so, does it matter much? He definitely was driving recklessly that resulted in a horrible car crash. I guess better than drinking and driving, but still horrible decision making.

[OutOfTheCube]

Ryan O'Reilly found not guilty on all charges, case closed.

http://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/sa...paired-driving

Basically, no reasonable evidence that he was even the one driving the truck.

[SuperMatt18]

That kinda pisses me off - just because he wasn't in his truck at the time then he shouldn't get off.

It's a truck registered to you, it hits something, and you are drunk then you should be getting charged.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Ryan O'Reilly found not guilty on all charges, case closed.

http://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/sa...paired-driving

Basically, no reasonable evidence that he was even the one driving the truck.

This is why you should always try to be a star athlete.

1. You have the stamina and speed to run away from your crimes.
2. You can afford the best lawyers out there to beat any charges.

[Krynn]

8x7 and we hear ever other GM in unicent go Doh noooooo

[heep223]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

That kinda pisses me off - just because he wasn't in his truck at the time then he shouldn't get off.

It's a truck registered to you, it hits something, and you are drunk then you should be getting charged.

It's how the legal system works. If there is reasonable doubt that he was driving the truck, then he's not guilty. The reason it's this way is because society has judged that putting innocent people in jail is worse than letting guilty people go free. I think that's the way it should be.

By the way he did get charged.

[Calgary4LIfe]

That is how the law works, unfortunately...

I remember a friend of a friend - I never met the guy, and don't know him - got behind the wheel when he was completely smashed. He ended hitting a tree, and his car rolled over, while throwing him out of the vehicle (he was not wearing a seat belt.. and damn lucky he didn't die).

Charges were never issued though it was obvious he was driving his own car. However, unless they catch someone behind the wheel, they simply can not lay charges as someone else MAY have been there.

In these situations,. I just hope that it was a big lesson learned, and people stop being idiots. A wake up call can be a DUI charge, or it can be a near death experience, or in ROR case - an absolute embarrassment letting the world know you are an idiot. I hope in this case (and every case) people remember this 'wake up call' next time they think about going out to have a drink. Make plans to take a cab or something.

[Split98]

Honestly, horse$*&%

I hate when this crap happens. Your average Joe is (and should be) facing life-altering charges if he does the same thing.

Not only would the punishment be remarkably less harmful to a millionaire athlete... there isn't even punishment.

0% surprised. 100% disappointed. Imagine what the story would be if your average Joe was caught RUNNING AWAY from the scene of a DUI accident.

[SportsJunky]

Good. He made a mistake. A mistake that all the world knows about now. I'd be surprised if he continued this type of behavior after getting a second chance. Learn from this and move on Ryan.

[Five-hole]

I love the baseless conclusions that an average person wouldn't have been let off and the only ROR was is because he's a star athlete.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Split98

Honestly, horse$*&%

I hate when this crap happens. Your average Joe is (and should be) facing life-altering charges if he does the same thing.

Not only would the punishment be remarkably less harmful to a millionaire athlete... there isn't even punishment.

0% surprised. 100% disappointed. Imagine what the story would be if your average Joe was caught RUNNING AWAY from the scene of a DUI accident.

The penalties for driving drunk are not as "life altering" as you make them out to be. In situations where there are no major injuries and only property damage it's rare to see criminal convictions, especially ones that result in any jail time. From what I read, O'Reilly blew .08, which is a borderline level. The breathelizers are only so certain, which is probably how he got off.

I know multiple friends who've been caught drunk driving and many still retained their licenses. Just for the record, it's not something that I condone in any way. I never drive drunk myself.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

I love the baseless conclusions that an average person wouldn't have been let off and the only ROR was is because he's a star athlete.

If it's true that he blew exactly .08, then just about everyone would have been let off. The difference is that there wouldn't be news stories for the average joe. If anything ROR has it worse due to the press.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by blankall

The penalties for driving drunk are not as "life altering" as you make them out to be. In situations where there are no major injuries and only property damage it's rare to see criminal convictions, especially ones that result in any jail time. From what I read, O'Reilly blew .08, which is a borderline level. The breathelizers are only so certain, which is probably how he got off.

I know multiple friends who've been caught drunk driving and many still retained their licenses. Just for the record, it's not something that I condone in any way. I never drive drunk myself.

My sister was JUST over .08.

She has a criminal record, it costs thousands, she lost her job, and her insurance is through the roof.

What is your definition of life altering?

[Split98]

Originally Posted by blankall

If it's true that he blew exactly .08, then just about everyone would have been let off. The difference is that there wouldn't be news stories for the average joe. If anything ROR has it worse due to the press.

I don't know about Alberta, but in Ontario, just above .08 is just as bad as anything else.

Above .05 is a penalty. Above .08 is a criminal record and fine. Along with however long without your license then blowing into your car to start it.

You're most certainly not let off at anything that registers .08 or over.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Ryan O'Reilly found not guilty on all charges, case closed.

http://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/sa...paired-driving

Basically, no reasonable evidence that he was even the one driving the truck.

That article headline is wrong.

The charges were dropped. He wasn't found not guilty. Big difference.

Basically because he is an athlete and can afford a good lawyer, the crown doesn't see any viable road to persecute him.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Good. He made a mistake. A mistake that all the world knows about now. I'd be surprised if he continued this type of behavior after getting a second chance. Learn from this and move on Ryan.

This thread is going to drive me crazy!

How is it 'good' that he got away with a DUI?!

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Split98

My sister was JUST over .08.

She has a criminal record, it costs thousands, she lost her job, and her insurance is through the roof.

What is your definition of life altering?

Your sister must have a job that depends on a clean driving record. ROR does not. Your sister also must have blown over .08 to the point that there would have been no reasonable doubt about the result. Either that or she did not get proper legal advice. Keep in mind that it's up to the crown to prove the accuracy of the test beyond a reasonable doubt.

Even if he'd been convicted ROR would have had little to no consequences, other than a record, which would have probably been pardoned in 5 years.

Honestly, if he did blow exactly .08 and they couldn't prove who was driving, any competent lawyer would have gotten the charges dropped. This isn't a case of celebrity special treatment.

Once again, I'm not saying that ROR's actions are in anyway justified. He was probably well above .08 at the time of driving if he left the scene. The courts run by what they can prove, and can't convict based on bad morals.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Split98

I don't know about Alberta, but in Ontario, just above .08 is just as bad as anything else.

Above .05 is a penalty. Above .08 is a criminal record and fine. Along with however long without your license then blowing into your car to start it.

You're most certainly not let off at anything that registers .08 or over.

The .08 is part of the Criminal Code, which is federal and applies to all of Canada. Licenses are given by the province, so the penalty on your driving license and any tickets will differ from province to province. Most provinces (maybe all) now have a .05 limit in place as well. Blowing between .05 and .08 is a traffic offence and doesn't typically fall under the criminal code.

Like I said before you don't have to blow over .08 to be charged with impaired, it's just very difficult for the crown to do so.