Investigation After Judge Tells Underage Drinker to Commit Suicide

Investigation After Judge Tells Underage Drinker to Commit Suicide

www.foxnews.com

Novi District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie said Wednesday his office still is looking into comments made April 10 by Judith Holtz.

Holtz had told Michael Robert Dickey of Farmington Hills that it would be cheaper, faster and less painful for the people who cared about him if he took his own life.

Court transcripts obtained by WXYZ-TV in Detroit show Holtz suggested Dickey jump from the roof of his house or slash his wrists as she chastised the 20-year-old for a third charge involving alcohol. H

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The 20 year old was only being sentenced by the magistrate for possesion of alchol by a minor when these comments were made!

There is something wrong when a person, in a position of power, would tell a 20 year old to commit suicide over such a minor offense!

Why would it be "cheaper, faster and less painful for the people who cared about him if he took his own life"?

I'm sure "the people who care about him" don't feel this way!

This magistrate should be fired, a person with this much influence on peoples lives shouldn't be telling them to commit suicide!

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that's messed up.

also, i like your mark twain quote. if i could go back in time and meet any important person, Mr. Clemens would be towards the top of my list. seems like a guy that had a very clear perspective of the world.

My favorite is "I never let school get in the way of my education."

I personally relate to that one because i was a terrible student, but some say I'm brilliant with the things i'm interested in.

off topic. sorry. =)

[edit on 15-5-2008 by an0maly33]

It's called tough love in some circles.

Here's a young man who is facing his third alcohol-related charge and depending on the severity of the offenses, the judge may be correct in concluding that if the individual continues down this path, he will not only kill himself, but possibly others all the while causing untold pain and suffering to those who love him and a community that may fall victim to his irresponsibility.

Judges can be pretty tough in the court room and when there is a situation like this, the judge may feel that just imposing a sentence is not enough. Some harsh assessments and hyperbolic recommendations might do more to correct this young man's behavior than just spending some time in jail and paying a fine.

We are not privy to the details of his offenses, but it is not hard to imagine that his criminal behavior while under the influence is not only harmful to himself and others.

So, a judge who is trying to scare this guy straight, just might suggest that in the long run, if he is hell bent on destroying himself and anyone else who might be in the wrong place at the wrong time, that he would be doing himself and others a favor by going ahead and getting it over with.

Any rational, abstract-thinking individual should be able to recognize this for what it is. You never know. Couching this young man's behavior as a slow and arduous suicide and possible homicide just might ring true and save his life.

[edit on 2008/5/15 by GradyPhilpott]

I've been legal to drink since I was 19! :w:

How 'bout yourself!

He has only been caught a couple times for possession of alcohol by a minor!

If he was 20 when I was it would be a non-issue for being caught with alcohol!

Just because he is 20 and drinks doesn't make him a bad person who is killing himself slowly and the people who care about him!

Still think it was a little over the top what this judge said!

[edit on 5/15/2008 by Keyhole]

When I turned 18, it was legal to drink in many jurisdictions in the US, but that has not been the case for about two decades since the federal government used highway funds to force states to establish 21 as the legal drinking age.

The guy is 20 and he has three alcohol related convictions.

He's setting a bad precedent for the rest of his life.

The judge put that in some pretty harsh terms, but if a kid keeps getting into trouble for using alcohol before it's even legal for him to drink, it's likely that he already has pretty serious problems.

I've seen full-blown alcohol addicts at his age and believe me when I say that alcohol addiction is a deadly disease and it is pathetic enough to see middle-age addicts, but to see teenagers in that condition too tragic to describe.

I'm betting that the judge knows a lot more about this case than anyone else outside the court, his family, or his social circle will ever know.

[edit on 2008/5/15 by GradyPhilpott]