Media Misleads Us in the David Weaving Case
A Connecticut case caught my attention today. David Weaving was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison for striking and killing a 14-year-old bicyclist.
That’s an incredibly sad case, and my heart goes out to the family of the victim, Matthew Kenney.
But the media is being despicable in the recent civil suit. The AP wrote an article whose headline says “David Weaving, Driver in Fatal Conn. Crash, Files Lawsuit Against Victim’s Parents”.
Let’s get the facts straight. The victim’s family sued first. That’s fine; they are entitled to do that.
Mr. Weaving then file a counter-claim against them. It’s not a separate lawsuit. The headline is misleading, making Mr. Weaving out to be an aggressor in the civil case. That’s not the situation. He really just responded to the suit against him.
I’m also surprised by the quotes the article used about Mr. Weaving’s financial status in the case. The article seems to be saying that he shouldn’t be able to respond to the lawsuit while he’s in jail. And that he shouldn’t be able to have court fees waived due to his indigent status.
I’m purposefully not commenting on the merits of either side of this case. I just wish the media would actually report the news in an unbiased fashion. And that they’d understand the law if they’re going to write about it.
