Woman found not guilty in ‘party game’ death

hbarcat · #1 01-31-2012, 01:41 PM

Joliet-woman-found-not-guilty-in-

Startz went on trial for a punch she threw at a Crest Hill garage party in September 2010 to celebrate the life of a friend who recently committed suicide. Powell, a 25-year-old rapper from Romeoville, performed in the basement of the house in the 2500 block of Waterford Drive. Then, as people gathered in the garage, he took a bet from the now 28-year-old Jimmy Mounts, who promised $5 to anyone willing to take a hit from Startz.
. . .
“I punched him and he just kind of stepped back and said, ‘Wow, nice job,’” Startz said to police during a videotaped interview shown during her trial.

Moments later, though, Powell collapsed to the ground. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the emergency room at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he was pronounced dead.

Someone should have learned a lesson from Houdini in not taking punches for money.

Southpaw5 · #2 01-31-2012, 03:06 PM

Stupidity thinning the herd?

DeathFromBelow · #3 01-31-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southpaw5

Stupidity thinning the herd?

Yep, Darwin would have been proud.

MatticusMania · #4 01-31-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbarcat

Someone should have learned a lesson from Houdini in not taking punches for money.

+1
I understand Powell's parents being upset at the verdict, but honestly, I would have a hard time pinning a homicide charge on the girl.

Jared Lash · #5 01-31-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I understand Powell's parents being upset at the verdict, but honestly, I would have a hard time pinning a homicide charge on the girl.

Pretty much.

No murderous intent - probably not even a thought that it could have serious consequences. Just a dumb thing that ended tragically.

**colcifer** · #6 01-31-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Still, the ruling sent Guy rushing out of the courtroom to collapse against a wall near the elevators. She said she’ll pursue a “John’s Law” so similar acts may be prosecuted for murder, and she said she’ll file a civil lawsuit. She has repeatedly said she wanted Startz to go to jail.

“I just want to know how she got away with it,” Guy said.

Chuck Pelkie, a spokesman for the Will County state’s attorney’s office, said the criminal case won’t be appealed. He said it wasn’t one prosecutors took lightly, though, and he said people need to know there will be consequences for irresponsible behavior.

“Unfortunately in this case there are no consequences right now,” Pelkie said.

She had permission; it's pretty simple and, IMO, pretty fair. It doesn't say but it sounds like the punch was to the head. It also doesn't say the punch was full contact but that's what it sounds like. Both are VERY stupid choices. Don't do the same, kids.

nashvillebill · #7 01-31-2012, 06:02 PM

I'm having a hard time understanding what the difference is between this case and that of a boxer that might die of injuries incurred in the ring. The "victim" asked to be punched and IMHO that absolves the puncher of liability.

Pilgrim · #8 01-31-2012, 06:05 PM

Plenty of stupid all around there...but IMO stupid isn't a crime in this case.

6jase5 · #9 02-01-2012, 12:22 PM

People that watch too many fight scenes on TV have no idea what a single well landed punch/elbow can do. It's actually worse for the person to "take" the punch with no attempt to dodge or angle the force away from dead center.

Joe Gress · #10 02-01-2012, 12:26 PM

I was on a murder trial a couple of summers ago where the victim was punched in the head twice. Brain trauma is serious buisness.

Chef FourString · #11 02-01-2012, 12:30 PM

What the hell kind of injury did he sustain? I've been hit everywhere, hard and never needed medical attention beyond some ice and ibu.

hdracer · #12 02-01-2012, 12:31 PM

WOW,
How would you like to have DIED FROM ONE PUNCH FROM A GIRL on your headstone?

**cosmicpimp2** · #13 02-01-2012, 12:39 PM

He must of had a medical condition he didn't know about. I boxed for awhile and been knocked out a few times. Then got rattled overseas and my last MRI was all good luckily. It's crazy how much your body can take then one hit and it's over

Southpaw5 · #14 02-01-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

WOW,
How would you like to have DIED FROM ONE PUNCH FROM A GIRL on your headstone?

This could hold some water, perhaps the family is also embarrassed....

Chef FourString · #15 02-01-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicpimp2

He must of had a medical condition he didn't know about. I boxed for awhile and been knocked out a few times. Then got rattled overseas and my last MRI was all good luckily. It's crazy how much your body can take then one hit and it's over

Thats what I'm thinking as well. Maybe she shook loose a blood clot or something of the likes. What a tragic way to go; having fun, having fun, having fun, dead.