4 replies to this topic

[NawlinsGirl]

Joshua Martin, 25, had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in January, after jolting a co-worker with cardiac paddles. Courtney Rhoton, 23, died three days after getting the jolt.

Martin cried and apologized to Rhoton's family before being sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison. Four years of that were suspended.
Martin has been in jail since January. He must serve a remaining 10 months behind bars, followed by five years on probation


http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/802..._12150303162006

[3boyzmom]

Well, I don't know. The problem with punishment is, it doesn't bring the victim back. Does he deserve it? I'm sure he does. But it sounded like he was being astoundingly stupid with his prank, not meaning to kill anyone. I think he definately should never work in the healthcare industry again, (or in any industry in which poor judgment can cost lives, like daycares, schools, building automobiles, etc., etc.) Actually many, many occupations, if not carried out properly, can cost lives. What if you constructed a building and chose to take shortcuts, and it caves in while occupied?

I think the jail sentence is fine, but maybe superfluous. He's already living with what he did, every day. It'll be on his criminal history, whenever he applies for a job. That's probably the "sentence" that will affect him more and remind him of his actions, throughout his life.

[NawlinsGirl]

WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG AND I THINK HE SHOULD PAY.. I KNOW HE DIDNT MEAN IT BUT COME ON HE HAD TO KNOW THE RISK INVOLVED WITH PLAYING WITH IT..I KNOW IF IT WAS MY FAMILY MEMBER I WOULD ASK FOR THE MAXIUM PENALTY..

[mattsmom]

Anyone going into healthcare needs to know they hold ther lives of human beings in their hands. Fooling around with the defib had to be drilled into his head in school as a NO NO. This kid showed extreme immaturiry and should never have been given the responsibility he was given, I hope the school that trained him (and I use the term loosely) is under some kind of microscope.

I know EMT's aren't held to the professional level of RN's and docs, but the drugs and equipment they use need to be respected and applicants need to be screened for the maturity level to deal with this.
As I shared before, TV shows such as SCRUBS are attracting people who wish to be 'cool' and be able to play with high tech equipment (remember the show where they jolted each other awake with the defibrillator?) That TV show is partly to blame for this girl's death IMHO.

He blatantly caused the death of another. He intentionally touched her with a deadly weapon. People who drink and drive are less guilty than this young man IMHO, as they don't intentionally drive their cars into people do they.

If he had killed my sister in this way I'd want him put away for the rest of his life, personally...

I often wonder about our criminal justice system. If its not supposed to be about punishment, and based on likelihood to re-offend, then why are child molesters EVER let out of jail?? this would make a thread on its own I know...

[Abbeygirl]

Why would he not deserve to serve time in prison? He knew what he was doing and it was a stupid prank. Those of us in the medical field and especially those of us who work emergency cardiac or just on a cardiac floor have been trained repeatly the safety of how to use the defibs and monitors. Everyone especially an EMT has extensive ACLS, Advanced cardiac training. You are taught over and over and over to clear your table before delivering a shock. Come on now. How many times have we had to repeat, I am clear, you are clear. Millions of times. How many times have we been told just the slightest contact with a stretcher, bed, etc when a shock is delivered can lead to serious injury or death. He knew, He was a trained EMT. He can cry for a million years and regret what he did even longer, but he knew that his actions could cause DEATH........

Would not be anyone I would want in the room with me while working a code.

Sorry, I feel there is nothing to agree or disagree about on this one. He knew what he was doing.