Unfortunately, we all know so well that one of life’s most tragic events is when someone decides to drink and drive and then kills someone. The ramifications to the decedent’s family and society in general are horrendous, truly beyond reasonable description. In one of our firm’s wrongful death civil cases, the drunk driver Matthew Cordle–before his criminal case has been resolved –has done something incredibly rare. He has publically confessed by video. He has taken full responsibility for his actions and this has garnered extensive media coverage. Here is his message against drinking and driving:
http://becauseisaidiwould.com/saveyourvictim/
Please feel free to share and comment on this highly unusual confession.
I respect the courage exhibited by this young man to make such a public confession, and sincerely hope it has the intended effect of preventing such tragedies. However, his victims still need to be cared for.
I heard this on the radio just today – moving and a powerful message. It does not change the underlying tragedy in the wrongful death action. What the effect will be in the criminal trial and sentencing is uncertain. Unfortunately, the confessional video is a day late and a dollar short for the deceased.
A truly unique response to a nationwide problem. An important message to everyone who either drinks and then drives or drives distracted by phones or texting. Thank you for sharing this story.
My heart goes out to the families.
What a powerful and courageous message. Now we all just have to listen and follow it ourselves!!!
I’m torn by this. On the one hand, I applaud him for coming forward and publicly apologizing. However, on the other hand, I’m disturbed that the public will perceive a heartfelt apology as sufficient recompense for a completely preventable act that has lifelong consequences for this deceased man’s family – and the perception apologizing is enough. We were all taught as children to make amends for our wrongs – apologize and make it right. If you stole something, give it back. In this case, this young man’s terrible choices caused him to steal something from another man. He needs to not only apologize, he needs to make it right. Since he cannot give back what he stole, he needs to pay for what he stole. It isn’t a matter of dollars and cents and putting a price on human life, it is, unfortunately, the only measure we have by which to compensate someone who was harmed. I hope that in all the media attention showered on this young driver, the family of the man who was killed will not be forgotten.
No. No. No. A slickly-produced video circulated BEFORE he goes to court and BEFORE he does what he says he will do – plead guilty and accept full responsibility (does he even know what that means???).
WHEN he accepts full responsibility – and that includes stipulation to a judgment and payment of punitive damages to the family, and accepting that is a debt that he can never discharged in bankruptcy – then he can send his message.