Family Won't Sue After Deaf Girl Struck, Killed

Miss-Delectable

Miss-Delectable

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Family Won't Sue After Deaf Girl Struck, Killed - Indiana News Story - WRTV Indianapolis

The family of a 15-year-old girl who was struck and killed by an SUV driven by a man who claimed he hadn't taken his schizophrenia medication will not sue.

An attorney for the family of Dawn Boozer-Carter said the family had planned to sue Derek Dewitt, 43, who admitted striking the girl and her mother, Tina Boozer-Carter, 41, and his father, who owned the car.

But the attorney told 6News' Kara Kenney on Thursday that they are working it out with the insurance companies and that the family will be compensated for their suffering.

Tina and Dawn Boozer-Carter were struck on May 20 as they raised money for the Indiana School for the Deaf, where Dawn was a student and athlete. Tina Boozer-Carter is also deaf.

During a jailhouse interview with 6News, Dewitt said he had a psychotic episode and "saw something evil" before the crash.

He will go on trial on two charges of attempted murder next month.
 
He should be on trial for one charge of murder and one attempted.
 
I think it's due to the issue that the guy was mentally challenged (see the other topic).
Maybe the family is forgiving and doesn't hold grudges.. That's the only reason why I'd see they would drop the charge.

Derek does look like he has something seriously wrong in mental fashion.
 
naisho said:
I think it's due to the issue that the guy was mentally challenged (see the other topic).
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That wouldn't effect the change from "attempted murder" to "murder."


Maybe the family is forgiving and doesn't hold grudges.. That's the only reason why I'd see they would drop the charge.
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Murder charges aren't determined by the family but by the prosecutor's office. Family members can't drop murder charges even if they want to.
 
Reba said:
That wouldn't effect the change from "attempted murder" to "murder."

Murder charges aren't determined by the family but by the prosecutor's office. Family members can't drop murder charges even if they want to.
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Oh, that's nice to know.

I was talking about the lawsuit charges.

It must not be great to live life being mentally ill and kill someone or animals (by acts of schizo, delusion, disorders and that kind of gray area).
 
naisho said:
Oh, that's nice to know.

I was talking about the lawsuit charges.

It must not be great to live life being mentally ill and kill someone or animals (by acts of schizo, delusion, disorders and that kind of gray area).
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Lawsuits are civil, not criminal charges, so they can be dismissed by the family, yes.

If the insurance companies offer a reasonable settlement, then the lawsuits are usually dropped. That's pretty standard. Besides, it doesn't real make sense to sue someone who doesn't have the means to pay.
 
Bottesini said:
He should be on trial for one charge of murder and one attempted.
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Why? because he is mentally illness and is not right in his mind. Put him in state hospital for rest of his life that is where he should stay in first place. I do not see this as murder.
 
If he's mentally ill, they may find him not guilty by reason of insanity.
 
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