Big Bert being charge!?

[j1tanamera]

Just heard on the news that Todd Bertuzzi is being charged for assault for his attack on Moore.....

Do you agree with this or not?

How will this change the game of hockey, considering that Bert did not use any "weapon" in this attack ~ (i.e. McSorley's attack on Brahear)....

 

[Hardatwork]

Here's the story

Nice to see the legal system taking it's sweet time with this. A March 8th incident, with over 18,000 witnesses and video tape footage available from many angles and a June 24th charge...impressive.

I still say the matter should be handled by the NHL. People are reacting to the result of the punch. I don't condone the sucker punch, but I also don't believe that the police should be involved. You may or may not agree with the level of violence with the NHL but violence has always been a part of the game. Hockey players are aware of it before they lace up the skates and are willing participants. If you’re going to start policing a hockey game LE could probably make a few arrests a night with all the hacking, slashing, and fighting that goes on in a game. Where does it end? Keep it simple by keeping the LE out of the NHL so they can take care of real crime.

 

[hitrack]

Far as I'm concerned he needs to made an example of for the kids, and let it be known this is non sportsman like conduct.

Apparently though the NHL themselves and others are wounding him far more than any court can.

IMO fry his ass, and then ban the fukker from the game.

 

[Makhno]

IMHO, Beruzzi crossed the line between the type of violence that hockey players impliedly consent to and the type that is best characterised as criminal. The charges are more than warranted.

 

[Hollywood147]

All professional sports leagues handle their own discipline. Why should this be any different. In legal matters prior incidents set the stage for future ones. Give me a few examples where athletes have been charged and gone to court. He has done the time already, let him and his family now live a normal life.

 

[j1tanamera]

do the crime......do the time

as far the cops taking their time.....hell it took them 2 1/2 months for them to charge Sven AFTER he gave a confession......cracker jack group over at the VPD

If you think about it, yes he sucker punched the guy, but he did not use anything other than his fist. If convicted, or if this sets a precedent, then we should throw out the "instigator" rule in hockey, and just say that everytime a hockey player starts a fight, he should be criminally charged.... howzat sound......

 

[Hollywood147]

j1 I totally agree

 

[BDAClub]

No way should he be charged let the NHL take care of it.........the justice system is so out of whack anyway he probably suffers a greater consequence from the NHL than he does from the BC Justice system............what a joke

 

[j1tanamera]

here here....

I wonder if they can go back and retroactively charge other players who have used their sticks for attacks....

Remember Messier's two handed tomahawk chop to the head of Tomas Gradin? No... wait they can't touch Mess - he was once our captain..... where was I? Oh yeah.... in the stands cheering for the Canucks.....

 

[sirlickheralot]

Criminal charges are a waste of time and taxpayers money. The NHL has already handed down a more severe punishment than the courts ever will even if they are able to get a conviction. Bertuzzi has already forfeited 13 games salary, missed the playoffs, let down his teammates, and has been publicly humiliated in front of an international audience (after the incident Bertuzzi was more villified by the media than the terrorists beheading hostages in the middle east). McSorley ended up with a conditional discharge, didn't spend a day in jail, and after probation doesn't even have a criminal record. Since Bertuzzi's incident didn't even involve a weapon, even if he is convicted (and thats a big if) he will likely get off with a much lighter sentence.

Bertuzzi also has the advantage of being far more popular here in Vancouver than McSorley was. If Bertuzzi opts for a jury trial it shouldn't be too difficult for his lawyer to get a few Bertuzzi fans on the jury making it damn difficult for the crown to get a conviction.

 

[j1tanamera]

sirlickheralot, could not agree with you more.... so why oh why would crown consider this? Oh, yeah, I guess they have some money to burn....

Ooo, Oooo, I know, I'll ask my relative, who is a special crown prosecutor..... maybe he'll know.....

 

[The Fisherman]

Think he'll share a cell with Sven?

 

[sirlickheralot]

Bertuzzi will never spend one day in jail for this incident and I'd put $ on that.

 

[BDAClub]

It's just a bunch of posturing by the crown......look at me ....look at me............Maybe they should spend their money on getting to the bottom of a polluted and corrupt VPD.......Explain to me how this takes precedence over someone like Jeff Berg having his head crushed by a cops pistol butt and then they just stand around without attending to him(he dies).....it all is caught on tape and no one answers for this.........perhaps the Crown's office and the VPD could join this years PNE circus act

 

[j1tanamera]

Think he'll share a cell with Sven?

oh, I think Svend is gonna start using powder soap in the showers.... IT TAKES LONGER TO PICK UP.....

 

[hitrack]

Excuse me Mr. Bertuzzi could you throw a couple McChicken sauces in the bag with my order.

This is all he's gonna be hearing after that fancy pants lawyer gets done raping his bank account.

 

[BS Detector]

IMHO, Beruzzi crossed the line between the type of violence that hockey players impliedly consent to and the type that is best characterised as criminal. The charges are more than warranted.

I agree. Hockey may be a violent sport but you should have the expectation of not having to be carried off the ice on a stretcher in a coma. Yes...Accident happen but this was NO accident. It was premeditated by admission!

 

[WC Drifter]

Hey it's not the criminal trial he has to fear, it's the civil trial...

Let's see here...Moore 10 years left in career at 1-2 Million a year = Bertuzzi playing for free for a year or two just to pay for it.

 

[Lolita]

I just couldn't get over his apology. "I didn't mean to do it." Boo hoo.

 

[LonelyGhost]

re: charges

what would everyone think if he WASN'T charged? then the police would look like they don't care ... which they probably don't, but it is better to charge him, give him a slap on the wrist and say 'we tried our best'.

with respect to a civil suit, then Nazzie should consider suing moore and off we go ...

hockey can be a very exciting sport ... but the clutching, grabbing, slashing, hooking, cross-checking etc etc etc just put it one step above the wwf ... and they at least have some nice looking women to compliment the clowns ...

fewer teams, fewer games, more ice, more penalties, and it could be a game worth watching ...

particularly that topless women's league ... oooh ... the nipples in the cold ...

pass me a beer ...