Labbe apologizes, but gets 15-30 years for Newmarket slaying

[achtungbaby]

BRENTWOOD — As a sheriff’s deputy escorted 36-year-old Richard Labbe from court on his way to prison for manslaughter Monday, he again turned to the victim’s family and said he was sorry. [details (http://yellowworld.org/?m=show&id=21)]

[deez nuts]

An inebriated mind makes a sober tongue.

Wish for everytime I fucked up I can blame it on alcohol.

[angel nympho]

Ouch. Wow, that guy's got a long ass list of shit he did. But it's good that the son forgives him... I probably wouldn't be able to. It's sucks especially hard because it sounds like he wasn't even like, trying to kill the guy. Just wanted to shove him around and give him a scare... But yeah. *Tisk tisk tisk* That's what happens when you get belligerent when you're drunk...

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Aug 30 2002, 03:45 PM
Ouch. Wow, that guy's got a long ass list of shit he did. But it's good that the son forgives him... I probably wouldn't be able to. It's sucks especially hard because it sounds like he wasn't even like, trying to kill the guy. Just wanted to shove him around and give him a scare... But yeah. *Tisk tisk tisk* That's what happens when you get belligerent when you're drunk...
I've give Labbe the benefit of the doubt and say that he probably didn't intend to kill him, like you said, he probably just wanted to push him around a little. The same might be said for the two white men who killed Vincent Chin; they both contended they never meant to kill Chin by hitting him with a baseball bat, they just wanted him to suffer a little. And hopefully this is the lesson: it's never okay to push around people -- particularly senior citizens -- because you've got something up your ass.

It's funny because his attorney claims Labbe isn't a racist -- he was just drunk and pissed off! Ohhhh!

[ChinaLama]

I think Labbe's excuse is a bit more legit. Smashing someone's head w/ a baseball bat is hard to put off as "we just were drunk and pissed." that means you're trying to kill someone. Pushing someone in anger isn't even meant to be that dangerous.

However, some of the things he said show he wanted to kill Thung Phetakoune, like the whole "this one's for my brother" or something comment.


But it's nice he apologized. I believe in forgiveness too. Don't practice it, but believe in it. :rolleyes:

[kasia]

"Labbe has also been convicted of kidnapping, threatening, assault and battery on a police officer, indecent assault and battery, breaking and entering, as well as other crimes, according to court records."

"The case has attracted national attention because of Labbe’s comments, before and after the incident, stating he was paying Asians back for the deaths of Americans in the Vietnam War."

"Delaney said the 15-30 year maximum sentence for manslaughter was appropriate, considering Labbe had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the crime; considering the disparaging remarks he made; considering his extensive criminal record; and considering the nature of his violent conduct."

This does not sound at all logical to me. Taking into consideration his violent criminal record as well as the fact that he said while sober that he intentionally acted with the motive of avenging the "deaths of Americans in Vietnam", manslaughter does not seem appropriate. Furthermore, this is a man who knows himself that he becomes extremely violent--has done so on more than numerous occasions--whenever he gets intoxicated. by nevertheless allowing himself to get drunk, isn't he acting with the reckless disregard of the lives of others around him? reckless disregard = second degree murder.

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by ChinaLama@Aug 31 2002, 08:36 PM
But it's nice he apologized. I believe in forgiveness too.
Me too, but I'd feel better if the guilty party fessed up completely to the transgression.

Yes, I agree that there are obvious differences in both cases, in regards to degrees of intent. But they both similar in that both parties shouldn't have been fucking around in the first place. Like if Labbe actually just punched the man in the nose and breaking it, saying afterwards that he had no intent of actually breaking the man's nose, he just wanted to harm him a little -- it's still no good! Maybe I'm just being petty.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@Sep 1 2002, 09:06 PM
Originally posted by ChinaLama@Aug 31 2002, 08:36 PM
But it's nice he apologized. I believe in forgiveness too.
Me too, but I'd feel better if the guilty party fessed up completely to the transgression.

Yes, I agree that there are obvious differences in both cases, in regards to degrees of intent. But they both similar in that both parties shouldn't have been fucking around in the first place. Like if Labbe actually just punched the man in the nose and breaking it, saying afterwards that he had no intent of actually breaking the man's nose, he just wanted to harm him a little -- it's still no good! Maybe I'm just being petty.
What if he punched the guy in the nose and the guy tripped and fell and broke his leg? He couldn't say he meant to break the guy's leg, right?

So yeah, it was his fault that the guy's leg was broken, but it's not like he MEANT to do it... he probably just meant to break his face, ya know?



<!--EDIT|angel nympho|Sep 1 2002, 09:38 PM-->

[kasia]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Sep 1 2002, 09:37 PM
What if he punched the guy in the nose and the guy tripped and fell and broke his leg? He couldn't say he meant to break the guy's leg, right?

So yeah, it was his fault that the guy's leg was broken, but it's not like he MEANT to do it... he probably just meant to break his face, ya know?
but what if every time he punched a guy's nose, the guy would trip and fall and break his leg?

take note: labbe was a violent drunk--meaning that every time he got drunk, he assaulted, or attempted to assault, people.

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Sep 1 2002, 01:37 PM
So yeah, it was his fault that the guy's leg was broken, but it's not like he MEANT to do it... he probably just meant to break his face, ya know?
Right, but my point is, his intent is based on his racism.

[deez nuts]

Ok sure this guys get manslaughter for killing an Asian. A man with prior convictions. He blames it on drunken stupor and untreated alcohol abuse.

Meanwhile when an Asian with diagnosed schizophrenia is denied parole, a model prisoner and I think no prior history of arrests and convictions.

http://forums.yellowworld.org/index.php?ac...f1735d697efd154 (http://forums.yellowworld.org/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=123&s=047aaee861560e5c9f1735d697efd154)

Which we discussed earlier.

Apples and Oranges maybe. But, I don't see the fairness somehow.

<shrug> Gimme a break. Can someone enlighten me please?



<!--EDIT|Chasiubao_Boy|Sep 2 2002, 01:05 PM-->

[kimpossible]

WTF? So he helps Laos on good days and kills them on the bad ones? If he's so remorseful, let him snuff himself out. I don't understand how the son could already forgive this guy.

'Joe Welsh, one of Labbe¡¦s attorneys, said his client wants everyone to know he is not a racist.

Welsh said Labbe was a helpful neighbor to the many Lao-American families who live at the Pulaski Drive Apartments.

Welsh said that Labbe has consistently been remorseful over his action and does not know how he can live with himself, knowing he has caused the death of another human being.

Labbe himself said in his court statement that he had liked Thung Phetakoune and his family. "I think you all know that," Labbe said. '

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Sep 2 2002, 01:02 PM
Ok sure this guys get manslaughter for killing an Asian. A man with prior convictions. He blames it on drunken stupor and untreated alcohol abuse.

Meanwhile when an Asian with diagnosed schizophrenia is denied parole, a model prisoner and I think no prior history of arrests and convictions.

http://forums.yellowworld.org/index.php?ac...f1735d697efd154 (http://forums.yellowworld.org/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=123&s=047aaee861560e5c9f1735d697efd154)

Which we discussed earlier.

Apples and Oranges maybe. But, I don't see the fairness somehow.

<shrug> Gimme a break. Can someone enlighten me please?
well, governor davis denies parole no matter what race the prisoner belongs to.

[deez nuts]

Ok, fine. <_<

But, if this guy gets paroled in the future.

Something is definitely fucked up.

[kasia]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Sep 2 2002, 06:48 PM
Ok, fine. <_<

But, if this guy gets paroled in the future.

Something is definitely fucked up.
well, do you know what the asian man was convicted for? b/c governor davis has no de facto policy for denying parole to manslaughter convicts.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 02:12 PM
Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Sep 2 2002, 06:48 PM
Ok, fine. &nbsp;<_<

But, if this guy gets paroled in the future.

Something is definitely fucked up.
well, do you know what the asian man was convicted for? b/c governor davis has no de facto policy for denying parole to manslaughter convicts.
Ok he was convicted for second degree murder.

Please excuse my legal ignorance and lack of knowledge about law:

I am seeing something wrong here.

1)Drunk white man "inadvertantly" kills asian man (ok manslaughter, as defined by the law). He has a prior convictions

2)Schizophrenic asian man kills racist white man (ok murder two). No prior convictions.

Ok in the eyes of the law, I can see how #2 is more severe.

But as a normal guy with no background in law. It just doesn't add me for me, somehow. I mean it can be subsituted for 2 white guys for all I care, it still doesn't add up. Schizophrenia (mental disorder) no control over vs inebriation (voluntarily drinking yourself into a drunken stupor).

[kasia]

i think #1 is more severe, considering the motives of the two men. the asian guy was forced to do what he did b/c of the rampant acts of violence committed by his victim and the ignorance on the part of law enforcement. (right?)

the white guy killed his victim simply b/c he hated vietnamese people.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 05:27 PM
i think #1 is more severe, considering the motives of the two men. the asian guy was forced to do what he did b/c of the rampant acts of violence committed by his victim and the ignorance on the part of law enforcement. (right?)

the white guy killed his victim simply b/c he hated vietnamese people.
I agree, kasia 100%


Strictly from the law point of view:

But correct me if I'm wrong, the Asian man had intent (that's what needed to proven for a murder conviction?). That's why he got murder two

While in this case it was proven that it "was an accident?" Because he was drunk, and wasn't his "intent to kill his victim." Thus manslaughter and a manslaughter conviction.


But from my point of view with no law experience, outside of watching Law and Order and being in court to pay a speeding ticket.

The Asian man got a bum deal.


Sorry to beat this to death. But sometimes this whole murder vs manslaughter issue confuses the hell out of me.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 10:27 PM
i think #1 is more severe, considering the motives of the two men. the asian guy was forced to do what he did b/c of the rampant acts of violence committed by his victim and the ignorance on the part of law enforcement. (right?)

the white guy killed his victim simply b/c he hated vietnamese people.
Personally, I think that killing a racist white guy and killing a vietnamese guy are about the same level of severity. Just because you don't like the way somebody is doesn't give you the right to take away their life and their chances for making a new life. You can't really value one life over another.

And I also don't think the white guy who killed the Vietnamese guy did it because "he hated vietnamese people." It seems to me that he was just mad about getting evicted. I mean, sure, I don't think he's a good guy or anything. His prior convictions totally say that. But his prior convictions also don't seem to have anything to do with racism. It seems like the furthest he ever went with racism was simply making some verbal comments. I agree that he definately had the CAPABILITY to have committed a hate crime, but I don't want to say so quickly that he hated Vietnamese people. The guy's son, after all, forgave him... which says to me that maybe Labbe was correct in saying that he genuinely liked the family, and perhaps the son took that into consideration.

[kasia]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Sep 2 2002, 11:19 PM
Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 10:27 PM
i think #1 is more severe, considering the motives of the two men. &nbsp;the asian guy was forced to do what he did b/c &nbsp;of the rampant acts of violence committed by his victim and the ignorance on the part of law enforcement. (right?)

the white guy killed his victim simply b/c he hated vietnamese people.
Personally, I think that killing a racist white guy and killing a vietnamese guy are about the same level of severity. Just because you don't like the way somebody is doesn't give you the right to take away their life and their chances for making a new life. You can't really value one life over another.

And I also don't think the white guy who killed the Vietnamese guy did it because "he hated vietnamese people." It seems to me that he was just mad about getting evicted. I mean, sure, I don't think he's a good guy or anything. His prior convictions totally say that. But his prior convictions also don't seem to have anything to do with racism. It seems like the furthest he ever went with racism was simply making some verbal comments. I agree that he definately had the CAPABILITY to have committed a hate crime, but I don't want to say so quickly that he hated Vietnamese people. The guy's son, after all, forgave him... which says to me that maybe Labbe was correct in saying that he genuinely liked the family, and perhaps the son took that into consideration.
in the asian guy's case, his white victim was not only racist but was committing racist acts (read: hate crimes) against the asian's in his community. these acts were being ignored by the police.

in labbe's case, he stated quite clearly that he pushed phetakoune as "payback for the american lives lost in vietnam." how strong must one's dislike be for it to classified as hatred?

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 06:25 PM
in labbe's case, he stated quite clearly that he pushed phetakoune as "payback for the american lives lost in vietnam." &nbsp;how strong must one's dislike be for it to classified as hatred?
i feel like mentioning again the irony that phetakoune was laotian and he actually fought against the vietcong.


... only to be killed later by a guy in a drunken rage who wanted "payback for the american lives lost in vietnam". he should have been shaking phetakoune's hand for risking his life to help american forces instead.



<!--EDIT|SunWuKung|Sep 2 2002, 07:20 PM-->

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 11:25 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Sep 2 2002, 11:19 PM
Originally posted by kasia@Sep 2 2002, 10:27 PM
i think #1 is more severe, considering the motives of the two men. the asian guy was forced to do what he did b/c of the rampant acts of violence committed by his victim and the ignorance on the part of law enforcement. (right?)

the white guy killed his victim simply b/c he hated vietnamese people.
Personally, I think that killing a racist white guy and killing a vietnamese guy are about the same level of severity. Just because you don't like the way somebody is doesn't give you the right to take away their life and their chances for making a new life. You can't really value one life over another.

And I also don't think the white guy who killed the Vietnamese guy did it because "he hated vietnamese people." It seems to me that he was just mad about getting evicted. I mean, sure, I don't think he's a good guy or anything. His prior convictions totally say that. But his prior convictions also don't seem to have anything to do with racism. It seems like the furthest he ever went with racism was simply making some verbal comments. I agree that he definately had the CAPABILITY to have committed a hate crime, but I don't want to say so quickly that he hated Vietnamese people. The guy's son, after all, forgave him... which says to me that maybe Labbe was correct in saying that he genuinely liked the family, and perhaps the son took that into consideration.
in the asian guy's case, his white victim was not only racist but was committing racist acts (read: hate crimes) against the asian's in his community. these acts were being ignored by the police.

in labbe's case, he stated quite clearly that he pushed phetakoune as "payback for the american lives lost in vietnam." how strong must one's dislike be for it to classified as hatred?
oh. maybe the fact that that part was only like, one sentence in the article, it kinda... didnt weigh out to me. i interpreted it as though it seemed like it was just a few drunk comments here and there. apologies.

but i still contend that its not right to value one life over another... and if i was the one killing the racist white man, i'd BETTER make sure the racist white man was about to kill me so i could claim self-defense. even if he had been committing crimes and whatnot, you could still get in a lot of shit for killing a guy unless it was like, self-defense. i believe that, yes, though the asian dood may have been doing a service for his community, it's not something i would have done. killing people... not cool.

hate to sound like an after school special. sorry.



<!--EDIT|angel nympho|Sep 3 2002, 12:49 AM-->