Antharak
0
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2013
- Messages
- 549
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- 43
"Such a sentence is still harsh," he said. "But it is arguably just punishment under these facts."
While handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill of Fresno described Rodriguez as a "walking crime spree" and said he carried out an act with deadly potential. Rodriguez has a significant criminal history that includes several probation violations and gang affiliations, prosecutors said.
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I assume when they say 13 times the permissible limit, they mean 65mW
I'd already decided not to use my units around populated areas long ago, but this cash incentive to turn people in gives me one more reason not to. I'm sure that in every case the person making the call will make 100% sure that the person with the laser actually did target an aircraft. surely no one would make something like that up just for $10,000, right?
Antharak said:This was the part that got me, " for aiming a laser pointer at Fresno police helicopter Air 1, and attempting to interfere with its operation".
No need to start a flame war, that stuff can turn unconstructive way too fast.
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As to the last thing, the pilot said he saw a bright light but doesn't describe it further. I'm surprised they didn't try to spin the facts, but I guess the strong evidence of serious pilot error makes it difficult to scapegoat something unrelated. But if he hadn't crashed, an no one had been hurt, I have no doubt the paper would have tried to spin it and make it about the evil lasers.
All I know for sure is: When i fly I want NO lasers aimed at the plane- and if on any jury for a laser case I would not be cutting the offender ANY slack. --
The reward deal IIRC is ONLY for 'intentional' lasing of aircraft- and is only paid if and AFTER a conviction results- No reports FROM the involved aircraft means in a sense that it did not happen and w/o a incident report from the pilot nothing else would happen-- as that would for sure be a big waste of money. --