Beverlee Russell enters court

Accused drunk driver Beverlee Russell enters Dartmouth provincial court on Tuesday. Russell is charged with various offences, including manslaughter in the death of retired Dartmouth teacher Gary Pfinder.

Video shot by court reporter Steve Bruce with his Blackberry

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• court
• dartmouth
• nova
• scotia
• beverlee
• russell
• gary
• pfinder
• drunk
• driving
• charges

[jwtoogood86]

I think people with mental health issues should not be aloud to drive.

[tenspoonsofspin]

The term you're looking for is "rabble-rousing" but it in no way applies here. Rabble-rousing means to incite or influence others into riot or action. I'm pissed that this woman was able to, yet again, go out and cause destruction, injury and death. I am not jumping the gun. I have had personal experience with mental illness--my own. Personal responsibility, proper medication and discretion go a long way. Your politically correct bullshit forgiveness will allow her to hurt more people.

[PeTTrO]

I removed my comment because you think Im condoning her actions. I'm not condoning what happened. People have a right to be angry.

But, your jump the gun attitude against mental illness is plain wrong.

And by the way, sometimes understanding the situation and forgiveness is a better way to go than your rebel rousing. My Uncle was killed 2 years ago by a drunk driver; but atleast I understood the situation fully before I jumped to judgements.

[tenspoonsofspin]

It's not only her own life that is forever marred, it is her children's and the families of the people she hurt and killed. And, let's not forget the victims themselves. Make all the excuses you want because she has mental health problems. Something could have and should have been done before she killed anyone. We are all ultimately responsible for our own actions. Mental illness is neither a get-out-of-jail-free card nor a blanket excuse to cause mayhem.

[tenspoonsofspin]

First off, I am well aware of how the system works and secondly, my sarcasm did not translate to the screen very well. The fault is 100% her own! If you have medical problems, mental or otherwise, you seek help for yourself. In a perfect world, her family would have ensured that she did not have access to a vehicle. *That* has nothing to do with being locked away. That has everything to do with looking out for your family member's safety and the safety of the public at large.

[Demaestr0]

If what you are saying is true than this will get her help and will stop her from harming others.

I am not for punishing the mentally ill, but if she CAN'T control herself then we need to do it for her and court is the place to decide the best way to stop her from hurting someone else or herself.

Don't think of it as her being punished, think of it as her being helped and her community being protected from someone, who in your summation, can't help herself from harming others.

[scampthekat]

i wonder how many other hit 'n' runs she might have had before.

[tenspoonsofspin]

Correct PeTTrO. It is the her doctors and family/caregivers who are responsible. This woman should never had access to a vehicle especially since her problems were well-known in her community. Oh yeah, lets make her neighbours responsible as well since they knew...plus all the people who heard the rumours from them. It is 100 % this woman's fault and she needs to pay for what she did. The woman chose to drink knowing how the alcohol would react with her meds, Couldn't be her fault at all!

[PeTTrO]

Syd: you know nothing other than what the paper or media tells you. This lady has had years of mental health issues.

D&D has no excuse, but there is a LONG history of mental issues & a buffett probably of medications to boot.

[syd121]

She should rot for what shes done Drinking and Diving could have killed one of her family imagine the scene she would have caused then .

HAg