Tony Stewart Case Goes to Grand Jury

[johnbuzzed]

I realize the differences. In football, one makes every effort to physically contact the opponent. Quite the opposite for motorsports, except for demo derbies. However, I was trying to compare apples v. oranges (which is realistic and practical), and looking for opinions. Seriously- would the given, hypothetical NFL situation be as closely scrutinized?

[Dave Van]

I don't think Stewart deliberately injured or killed Ward, but if he wanted to 'buzz' Ward to show him who was who, he may have shown such indifference to the potential consequences for his actions that it may rise to the level of a misdemeanor crime. I don't know, and I'm glad I'm not on that grand jury.

BINGO!!! I am really glad I am not on either side of that Grand Jury.........some folks are proclaiming 'all is well'.......they might think differently if they were in Tony's shoes. Some sleepless nights ahead.

[niteowl7710]

Ontario County has 107k residents. The city where the track is is the one with 10,000 people.

Secondly a Grand Jury isn't a trial, it's determination to find if the evidence exists to support bringing charges to an actual trial. If the Grand Jury decides there is insufficient evidence to support criminal charges then this is all over with, if they decide to indict him on something, then the actual jury trial would take place at some point in the future. Tony Stewart was never arrested in this entire thing so there would be an entire process to go through after an indictment.

[Longbox55]

Ontario County has 107k residents. The city where the track is is the one with 10,000 people.

Thanks for the correction. Seems the source I got the information from was incorrect, as they listed 10k for the county, rather than just the city.

[slusher]

I am also neutral in this, but the rule should have been made a long time ago for the drivers not to get out of their cars after a wreck or yellow. There have been many hot tempers flare and throwing helmets.

[southpier]

unless your car is on fire

[Toner283]

unless your car is on fire

And even then head for the closest wall, not the middle of the track. I have raced on several different tracks local to me and as long as I have been racing (more than 10 years), this has been a hard and fast rule that is reiterated at every drivers meeting before the races. If you get out of your car on a live track for anything other than an emergency situation, you don't race at that track for the rest of the season. Do it twice and you don't race at that track again ever.

[Guest]

There have been many hot tempers flare and throwing helmets.

Hot tempers helped put Nascar on the map, remember the ending of the 1979 Daytona 500?

[slusher]

Hot tempers helped put Nascar on the map, remember the ending of the 1979 Daytona 500?

Yes, I totally understand that and those guys did a lot of slamming in to each other. Now the drivers are running on the track pointing fingers and throwing helmets. They can wait until the race is over and take care of it.

[Custom Hearse]

Seriously- would the given, hypothetical NFL situation be as closely scrutinized?

Yes...

Edited September 18, 2014 by Custom Hearse

[Joe Handley]

Yes...

Well, now it would be.

[Jantrix]

What would happen if, during a NFL game, a player with a known "temper" tackled a rival player and caused that person's death? Would it be "just football", or would there be a criminal investigation because of previously heard trash talk?

If it was done during play, most likely not unless it was an illegal hit (spearing/helmet-to-helmet, etc).

[cartpix]

If he was going 60, that could present another problem for him. I understood they were under full-track yellow flag caution and that track had a 25 mph limit for travel under cautions.

If that is true, I stand corrected. I don't follow Sprint Cars much (there isn't much TV coverage & Ascot closed over 20 years ago) & was just guessing at the speed, from other forms of the sport. Thanks for pointing that out, Danno. From what I do know about Sprints is, they go better than they stop. They have no clutch or conventional transmission. Just an in & out box. If you lock up the rear wheels, the engine stops.

Jeff

[MsDano85gt]

An immature, irresponsible kid walked onto a race track while the cars were still moving on the track... And this is Tony Stewart's fault how?

[southpier]

watch the video. two wrongs make 1 left.

I think after a fair trial, he should never be allowed to race again, fined to Hades and back, then, and only then, put out on the highway crew picking up trash wearing a yellow reflective vest for the rest of his life. or even longer.

[Jantrix]

he should never be allowed to race again, fined to Hades and back, then, and only then, put out on the highway crew picking up trash wearing a yellow reflective vest for the rest of his life. or even longer.

Don't mince words Joe, tell us how you really feel.

[Thatswhatshesaid]

What would happen if, during a NFL game, a player with a known "temper" tackled a rival player and caused that person's death? Would it be "just football", or would there be a criminal investigation because of previously heard trash talk?

NFL players save the really big hits for their wives.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

NFL players save the really big hits for their wives.

Ba-dum-tss!

[johnbuzzed]

And there's a flag on the play! Un-necessary roughness!!!

[mikemodeler]

Ontario County has 107k residents. The city where the track is is the one with 10,000 people.

Secondly a Grand Jury isn't a trial, it's determination to find if the evidence exists to support bringing charges to an actual trial. If the Grand Jury decides there is insufficient evidence to support criminal charges then this is all over with, if they decide to indict him on something, then the actual jury trial would take place at some point in the future. Tony Stewart was never arrested in this entire thing so there would be an entire process to go through after an indictment.

There is supposedly a second video clip (that hasn't been shown to the public) that could help the Grand Jury with their decision.

This is no doubt a difficult time for everyone involved as it could go either way, and none of us have seen all of the evidence so we can only speculate as to how this will go. I doubt very few residents of Ontario county have NOT heard about this incident but hopefully whomever is seated on the Grand Jury will listen to all of the testimony and review the evidence closely.

Like many racing incidents, this one prompted changes to rules but also has deeply affected many people.

[Tom Geiger]

It will be tried in a court with Non- racing/automotive people.

This is no doubt a difficult time for everyone involved as it could go either way, and none of us have seen all of the evidence so we can only speculate as to how this will go. I doubt very few residents of Ontario county have NOT heard about this incident but hopefully whomever is seated on the Grand Jury will listen to all of the testimony and review the evidence closely.

The way jury selection goes... and I've been on jury duty and watched several selections.....

First pass they'll eliminate all potential jurors who know or know of either party.

Second pass they'll eliminate anyone who has participated in auto racing

Third pass they'll eliminate anyone who watches auto racing

Fourth pass they'll eliminate anyone who has driven a car

Fifth pass they'll eliminate anyone who has ever heard of or ridden in a car

At that point they'll have a jury with blank minds so they can weave the story any way they way. The prosecutor is generally looking for impartial jurors. The defense is looking for people they can sway.

[niteowl7710]

Well all this jury talk was all for naught, the Grand Jury has returned a No-Bill, meaning they've declined to indict him on any and all charges and this matter is over, at least in the Criminal Court System.

Interesting piece of evidence made public was the kid had enough dope in his system to be at a level to "impair judgement". Who was wanting to string up Tony Stewart for being a murderer again? I have no horse in the whole pot legalization thing, but this ain't the 70s anymore, I would think most people would understand you shouldn't smoke a joint and then climb into a race car at any level of competition.

Man it's so pesky when you don't have all the facts and you just want to condemn a man's life based on what you see on a few TV clips.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/tony-stewart-not-charged-by-grand-jury-in-death-of-kevin-ward-jr-190047656.html

[Harry P.]

Interesting piece of evidence made public was the kid had enough dope in his system to be at a level to "impair judgement". Who was wanting to string up Tony Stewart for being a murderer again?

Yup. Gee, ya wonder if maybe being high isn't a good thing when you're driving a race car?

And gee... do ya wonder if maybe being high impaired the kid's judgement? So much so that he decided to step out of his car and "confront" Stewart in the middle of a race with race cars whizzing by at speed?

Like James said... it sure helps to have all the facts at your disposal before you go making a judgement.

[southpier]

maybe he just needed to borrow some rolling papers?

besides, everyone knows reefer makes you aggressive.

good grief; the real stoners are the guys turning laps at 35 mph.

[D. Battista]

watch the video. two wrongs make 1 left.

I think after a fair trial, he should never be allowed to race again, fined to Hades and back, then, and only then, put out on the highway crew picking up trash wearing a yellow reflective vest for the rest of his life. or even longer.

Are you serious?