More on DWI Killer Bill Heather

To the Editor:

I've been keeping pretty close tabs on Bill Heather's car crash since it happened, either through this publication, online or correspondence, or through mutual friends. I have a tendency to hear things and have no doubt been exposed to COUNTLESS opinions on this whole matter. Some people support Bill, some people do nothing but condemn him for his actions. These are all completely normal reactions that don't surprise me in the slightest.

But one thing that drives me nuts is hearing "cut Bill a break, he's an awesome guy." He IS an awesome guy, there's no doubt. I've known him since high school. We had French class together. We used to hang out at his house all the time. Hell, I hung out with him on Halloween. He's an AWESOME guy. This I can't argue.

Being an awesome guy and being a caring person, however, are absolutely no excuse for causing another person's death. For people to use these things to try to play him off as a victim in all this is a really screwed up and subjective opinion.

While I didn't know Chrissy as well as Bill, I still knew her from high school. Me, Chrissy, and several other friends all used to commute to and from Great Mills together. She was a nice girl, too. And Bill killed her. Murder? No, I wouldn't personally classify it as murder. Murder implies malicious intent and premeditation. But taking a life is an inexcusable act, and I simply can't find myself defending or sympathizing with this "really great guy" that I've known for more than 4 years. I simply can't.

I could go one step further if I wanted to and simply try to tell Bill it'll be okay, but I can't. That'd be lying. It's NOT okay. It's a horribly messed up situation and bottom line is that Bill is going to go to jail for a long time. I was just going to keep my mouth shut about ALL of it, but flipping through the Today I've found nothing but defense cases for Bill, and from an objective standpoint I honestly feel that there's absolutely nothing to defend.

Granted, we as young people often do stupid and reckless things. Yes, we as young people often make foolish mistakes and not all of us are as unfortunate as Bill. But in the end, sitting there and letting people excuse it because "Bill is a nice guy" completely ruins the larger message that everyone should be taking from this. We should be setting examples for our peers as well as the rest of the community by enforcing that message, not allow them to get away with "feeling sorry for Bill" and then slamming someone when they state the truth, as harsh and as unforgiving as it may be.

Another HUGE point that I feel I NEED to make: if some random drunk had killed Chrissy instead of Bill, all of his friends would be singing a totally different song. They'd want the bastard's head on a pike. But no, it's Bill. So we have to defend and support Bill because he's our friend and a nice guy? Erm, no. I don't think so. I'm sure that plenty of other drunks who have killed someone on the road were nice guys, too. But you'd be too busy screaming for blood over the death of your friend to notice that.

Once again, there's a lot to be learned. I suggest everyone takes a moment to reflect on that as opposed to simply taking sides. If anyone disagrees with my opinion, I more than readily encourage you to reply. After all, you're entitled.

Joe Hanson

Lexington Park

(Editor's Note:  Driving drunk is a premeditated and avoidable criminal act which often results in injury and death to others.  The legal term would not be first degree murder but under Maryland law it is: homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated.)