Police: Gang rape outside school dance lasted over two hours

[DaemonSeid]

Not the first time we have heard in recent months and years that a crime was witnessed by multitudes and no one lifted a finger to help.

There have even been cases where people have even recorded the crime in progress for youtube uploads later but still never came forward to help police catch the guilty.

Example was the kid who got beaten with a rail tie last month in Chicago.

Question: Should it be allowable to prosecute someone who witnesses a crime and not act to help when they have the ability to do so in cases such as this?

Should witnesses be held to the same culpability as those who are actually committing the crime?

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Not the first time we have heard in recent months and years that a crime was witnessed by multitudes and no one lifted a finger to help.

There have even been cases where people have even recorded the crime in progress for youtube uploads later but still never came forward to help police catch the guilty.

Example was the kid who got beaten with a rail tie last month in Chicago.

Question: Should it be allowable to prosecute someone who witnesses a crime and not act to help when they have the ability to do so in cases such as this?

Should witnesses be held to the same culpability as those who are actually committing the crime?

In CT, it's possible to be charged with a misdemeanor for refusing to help the police in an investigation. My guess is that there are a number of states with similar laws.

The problem I could see is that there are a lot of reasons why people don't act to help in cases like this. Sometimes they're afraid of retaliation, for example. There are also cases where victims have sued the good samaritans, or where a good samaritan becomes a person of interest for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm not saying that's the case here, and it's obviously a terrible situation for the girl involved. You would think at least one of the witnesses could have done something, even as simple as getting an administrator (as people have suggested). I think it gets tough, however, when you start trying to attach criminal penalties for people who don't help.

ETA: That's without getting into all the legal issues, and coming at it from a strict practical perspective.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

In CT, it's possible to be charged with a misdemeanor for refusing to help the police in an investigation. My guess is that there are a number of states with similar laws.

The problem I could see is that there are a lot of reasons why people don't act to help in cases like this. Sometimes they're afraid of retaliation, for example. There are also cases where victims have sued the good samaritans, or where a good samaritan becomes a person of interest for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm not saying that's the case here, and it's obviously a terrible situation for the girl involved. You would think at least one of the witnesses could have done something, even as simple as getting an administrator (as people have suggested). I think it gets tough, however, when you start trying to attach criminal penalties for people who don't help.

ETA: That's without getting into all the legal issues, and coming at it from a strict practical perspective.

There is a difference between seeing something and walking away because you fear getting involved or in trouble and standing there and watching...and for over 2 hours. There is no excuse for this. None. We are losing our humanity.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

We are losing our humanity.

Who is "we?"

Humans, in general, aren't losing our humanity. Someone called the police when they heard the boys recounting the incident. As for the boys, there have always been inhumane morons and there will always be inhumane morons.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Who is "we?"

Humans, in general, aren't losing our humanity. Someone called the police when they heard the boys recounting the incident. As for the boys, there have always been inhumane morons and there will always be inhumane morons.

SomeONE called the police but many did/said nothing. Many should have been calling the police while the act was taking place and there was a time when many would've done just that and even tried to intervene. As for the "we," I see all human beings as interconnected and therefore we are all responsible for the societies/communities that we create (or allow to be created); whether we have directly or indirectly contributed to what goes on. Like the saying goes, if you're not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem. But that's just how I view things.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

In CT, it's possible to be charged with a misdemeanor for refusing to help the police in an investigation. My guess is that there are a number of states with similar laws.

The problem I could see is that there are a lot of reasons why people don't act to help in cases like this. Sometimes they're afraid of retaliation, for example. There are also cases where victims have sued the good samaritans, or where a good samaritan becomes a person of interest for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm not saying that's the case here, and it's obviously a terrible situation for the girl involved. You would think at least one of the witnesses could have done something, even as simple as getting an administrator (as people have suggested). I think it gets tough, however, when you start trying to attach criminal penalties for people who don't help.

ETA: That's without getting into all the legal issues, and coming at it from a strict practical perspective.

One report raised the idea of the Genovese Syndrome as part of a possible reason why no one acted.

I don't buy it 100% as it's not a proven theory.