A Murder Charge for a Victim of Vandalism and Battery?

I wanted to share a point of view derived from a hot news topic in California. If you talk to anyone from this state chances are that it is on their minds a lot, some for the public 'manhunt' and others very much against it. It is because there are such deep feelings involved in this subject that I know there will, undoubtedly, be much debate and perhaps some strong emotions that may surface because of this article. I urge everyone to apply self control when voicing their opinions and respect for those on the opposite side of the board.

The Background

A car full of 'popular' teen girls were driving through neighborhoods and throwing eggs at people, houses and cars for fun. As we all know when eggs stay on items that are painted and dry over night they often do a lot of damage and take the paint off of the objects. So as far as cost, this is a very expensive and damaging act. Not to mention, to be hit with eggs while a car is speeding can be quite painful and often times feel like glass has shattered on your skin. In all, this is not only a very dangerous form of vandalism and battery but completely senseless as well.

These girls had been drinking and driving as they plowed through street after street throwing these eggs at anything and everything they could when they struck a person and their property who had been standing outside. This unknown person got into his car and chased the girls. Now, this unknown person had no clue that these girls were drunk, they were teens, or even the fact that they were female... only that they had assaulted him.

While in pursuit of the teens they had panicked and lost control of the car, due to the fact they had been drinking and now had been caught breaking the law. As a result there were some deaths and injuries to the teen girls. The mystery person turned around and left the scene.

Justice?

The survivor of the crash is treated like a victim of a horrible and senseless crime. The mystery pursuer is now the subject of a manhunt and those involved in this investigation are announcing that the person is to be charged with vehicular manslaughter among an array of charges. No charges have been filed against the survivor of the accident and the media along with the police are turning their backs on the crimes that these girls had committed and their part in this tragedy.

Where do you stand? Should this person be charged with the murder of these drunk drivers? Should the teens be held up as innocents in this matter? Should we be sending the message that their acts were okay and not worthy to be punished? Or, should the mystery person be charged with a lesser crime of not reporting an accident that he played an equal part in? Should these teens be made an example of to the rest of the youth in our society and face justice for their role? What do you think?