When Murder Is a Win-Win Situation
by Joe?Pulcinella
Yesterday, Stephan Kinsella wrote about the stilted rationalization of utilitarians. I'm sure it was unintended that he did so on the 10-year anniversary of the murder of Olympic wrestler, Dave Schultz, by John DuPont on DuPont's estate in Newtown Square PA and the subsequent rationalization of the authorities in that area. The Delaware County Times marked the occasion with a utilitarian screed that almost indicated that the local economy would almost benefit from more millionaires committing murder.
As a result of that unprecedented experience, the various departments improved professionally and coordinated further training efforts, he said.
The cost of police manpower during the siege was astronomical -- about $137,131 -- including about $5,000 for overtime in the county emergency communications department.
The total cost of prosecution for du Pont was $711,510 -- including $432,200 for the Delaware County District Attorney?s Office.
Then-District Attorney Patrick L. Meehan, now U.S. Attorney forthe Eastern District in Philadelphia, said he had mentioned the 10-year anniversary to local police chiefs at a banquet last week. He had only been D.A. less than a month when the tragedy enfolded.
"The great outcome of that (tragedy) was we were able to recover those costs.." Meehan said, and du Pont reimbursed both the county and the municipalities for the cost of the investigation and prosecution.
[...]
"My first thought at an anniversary like this is always to the victim?s family," he said. "It always becomes the first consideration and I still think about the (Schultz) family on dates like that."
Secondly, Meehan said he had "tremendous pride in Delaware County in the performance of so many people. Overnight, the national spotlight was shone on our people."
Gee, there you have it. A little Enron-style bookkeeping and everyone goes home a winner...except for the family and friends of the victim. Dave Schultz doesn't get a chance to make a comeback. Meanwhile, although Pat Meehan feels sorry for the ones who lost a family member and friend but still goes on to say that in the aggregate, Delaware County came out ahead and all involved deserve a pat on the back. Case closed.
'Scuse me but this @#$% is sick.