Hammurabi Is Right by Matt Weber

As most readers know by now, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lost the life of one of their most promising young players last Thursday morning; starting pitcher Nick Adenhart at the age of 22.  Coming off arguably the best game of his short career, Adenhart pitched six strong innings giving up no runs, seven hits, three walks, and struck out five. 

Unfortunately for the Angels Organization and all of Adenhart’s friends, family and fans, those would be the final six innings they got to see him throw.

Why?

Because some asshole decided it would be a good idea to drive under the influence of alcohol with a suspended license.  22 year old Andrew Thomas Gallo was driving the minivan that crashed into Adenhart’s car, killing him and two other passengers, and leaving a fourth passenger in critical condition.  Gallo fled the scene, but was eventually caught by police and is being charged with three counts of murder, and could face up to 55 years in prison.

Really, 55 years?

That may not even be a life sentence.  This is the reason I could never be a judge or helpful member of jury, because if it were my decision as to what should happen to Gallo I would say, let’s do what the car accident should have done.  It always seems as if the drunken member of any DUI accident always walks away, with virtually no injuries, while the other drivers and passengers end up with the worst of it.  While three people are dying at the scene of the crash, Gallo not only doesn’t stay and wait for officers, but he drives off in his drunken state potentially putting more people in harm’s way.

Society does not need people like Gallo a part of it.  Events like this really enforce the reason as to why I don’t touch alcohol.  Unfortunately, things like this happen more times then we probably know about, but because it happened to a public figure, it’s reaching a much more vast audience.  And beyond me how Gallo is going to be able to live his life after doing such damage, not only to Adenhart’s family and the Angels team, but to the millions of people affected by hearing about this story.

With that being said, why then allow Gallo to continue on with his own life, after taking away three? 

I am a very strong believer of Hammurabi’s “Tooth for a tooth, eye for an eye” under most circumstances.  This fatal accident would qualify as one of those circumstances, and I feel that Gallo deserves to be put to death.  I heard from others that “It was just a mistake”, and that 55 years in prison is more than enough of a punishment.  I feel the only mistake was when Gallo originally got his license suspended in 2006 for shockingly enough, drunken driving…fool me once.

Clearly, a lesson was not picked up the first time when Gallo was arrested for DUI, and three lives were lost on April 9. 

Reflecting on the events that morning I ask this one question.

Why does Gallo deserve a second chance at life when three others were cut short by his actions?