Speed Camera Operator Killer to go to Trial

[RobBrady]

The Washington Post has reported that a judge has found Thomas Patrick Destories, 69, competent to stand trial for the killing of an on-duty mobile speed camera operator in Phoenix, Arizona last April.

Destories' defence claims that their client has a long history of mental illness. He is charged with "first-degree murder, drive-by shooting and firing a gun at a structure" in connection with the death of the operator Doug Georgianni, 51. Destories' motives are not yet known, but many suspect the killing was the most extreme manifestation of speed camera protest.

The state's speed cameras have been in place since September 2008 and have proved to be very unpopular with Arizona citizens. Many are simply throwing their tickets away - tickets are mailed without proof of delivery.

Due to a sustained public revolt, the privately funded scheme may eventually be scrapped. It's believed that the financial troubles brought about by non-payment, roll-out delays and the sustained strong opposition pose severe problems for the programme.
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Robert Brady

[Snudge]

It's good to hear of decent honest people making a stand against the unnecessary imposition of speed cameras.

[BigPerk]

A bit of a harsh stand on a poor camera operator though (now, traffic wardens on the other hand ...)!
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

[DennisN]

[Darren]

[BigPerk]

That's a bit unfair on poor Snudge isn't it, Darren? His point I thought was aimed at the near-paranoid views a lot of people seem to have about cameras - a very fair point as well IMO

I daresay he feels the same about the operator as the rest of us do, but it never does any harm to lighten things up a bit, surely ?
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

[Darren]

If it is a case of the written word coming across poorly then fair enough but I don't see how the subject warrants jokes?

I'm just trying to remind everyone that this is a murder we are discussing. Regardless of our personal opinions of speed cameras, it isn't a funny matter and no-one can seriously condone the act?
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Darren Griffin

[ShoxDr]

[Darren]

[Snudge]

Thanks to BigPerk and ShoxDr who correctly interpreted my comment and of course I do not condone actually shooting the camera operators. I also don’t see how my comment could be viewed as if I was making a joke of the subject.

Looking at the subject of journalism, the whole point of a headline is to get the reader to move on to the rest of the story and this article was correctly composed of both a sensational, attention-grabbing headline about the shooting and also the story behind the headline.

The wording in my comment referred to ‘people’ which is the plural of ‘person’ so clearly (at least to me, BigPerk and ShoxDr), I was not referring to the lone gunman but the Arizona citizens who are revolting about the State’s speed camera policy.
Thanks Darren – sorted.

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