Is Justice Blind?

State of Florida v. Dale Northcott
Case # 99-CR-249

When it comes to being a survivor or being a victim of a tragic car accident, there are truly no "winners." It is incredible to think of the number of car crash fatalities that occur all the time... the fact that life can be so fleeting that someone can be gone in an instant... that their families and friends are left behind to face the harsh reality of their early departure from this world. Even the survivors are left to piece together that fatal moment when something went terribly wrong, playing over that tragic instant probably everyday for the rest of their lives. They face loss and the feelings of guilt for being alive; they face physical and emotional pain unmeasurable; some even face long and harsh prison sentences. This was the case for survivor Dale Northcott, now 32 years old, whose story raises the question, "Is this justice?"

One night in July of 1998 changed the lives of three young men and their loved ones forever. It was on that night that two cars collided, sending the Mustang that Dale was driving into the air, along with his two close friends, Jeremy Reese and Chris Newman. Both of Dale's friends, 17 years old at the time, lost their lives during the accident. When Dale awoke in that hospital bed to this nightmare, he had no idea it was a nightmare that would last the rest of his life.

Both the driver and passenger of the other vehicle involved in the accident were unharmed. They were tourists from Israel, and were described by witnesses as being intoxicated and smelling heavily of alcohol. However, they refused to give statements and fled back to Israel, and they were never pursued. Instead, Dale was held accountable for the accident because he was speeding, even though he was not under the influence. Dale was convicted of two counts of manslaughter, a violent charge with malicious intent, not even vehicular homicide which is not.

At the age of 25 when many young adults are preparing to start careers, Dale was preparing to start his 6.5 year prison sentence, followed by two years of house arrest and ten years of mandatory probation. Now not only haunted by guilt and remorse, this young man who is so kind-hearted that he would give anything for a friend in need is regarded by the State of Florida as a violent criminal, guilty of killing his two close friends.

Dale finished out his prison term, but was arrested in October of 2006 for violating his house arrest. He has been transferred back and forth between Orange and Osceola Jails for the past 6 months without bond awaiting sentencing for his violation. Even though he violated by getting just misdemeanor traffic tickets, due to the way his sentencing was originally set up the state is trying to send him back to prison between 18.9 and 31.2 YEARS.

Dale is far from detrimental to society. In fact, even while in prison he put his entrepreneurship to work and developed a business plan for a company that he and his family started and his parents now successfully run. His creativity and perseverance, along with incredible work ethic, far surpass the norm. He gives everything of himself to those he loves. It is rare to find anyone with so much integrity, loyalty, and kindness, let alone find it in someone that has endured what he has since the accident.

Despite so many positive and endearing qualities Dale possesses, it appears as though the state will win their battle and take him away from his family, friends, and loved ones for possibly two to three decades. He could be a 60 year old man when he is finally released, having finally paid his "debt to society"... unless action is taken to stop them. There is something utterly wrong with a system that is so willing to send such a decent, hard working, intelligent human being into exile, yet it sits back as habitual offenders continue to receive another chance time and time again.

PLEASE help show your support for Dale... by signing this petition, we will be letting the state know that the severity of the sentence they are prepared to hand him is unbefitting of the crime and unacceptable. Dale deserves a second chance, and the more people support him, the more the court might realize the outrageousness of such a harsh sentence. Apparently we should all rest easy... the judicial system is doing a great job of keeping violent people such as Dale off of our streets.

IS JUSTICE BLIND??