Rachel Corrie Wasn’t the Only ISM Member Playing Chicken with a Bulldozer That Day (PJM Exclusive)
Michael Perloff wrote, “Conspiracy charges can involve everyone with pre-knowledge of ISM’s plans and every phase from initial planning to its execution. Follow the chain of evidence and file charges against those whose arranged transportation, accommodations, provide intelligence, etc.”
I am not an attorney but I could envision Craig and Cindy Corrie having a very strong case against the ISM members who knowingly, willfully, and recklessly endangered their daughter’s life.
The ISM trains its activists in civil disobedience and direct action. I think a case can be made that somebody who “trains” people to play chicken with bulldozers is civilly if not criminally liable if a fatality occurs.
I also think somebody should look into precedents in which groups that engage collectively in dangerous behavior, e.g. a group of teens that encourage two of their number to play “chicken” with automobiles with a fatal outcome, are held responsible for manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, or whatever. People have been charged criminally for fatal outcomes in Russian Roulette, although generally when pointing the gun at another person. I would like to see precedents in which the survivor(s) were charged after one of their number won a Darwin Award by blowing his own brains out.
Federal definition of manslaughter: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001112—-000-.html “Involuntary—In the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or in the commission in an unlawful manner, or without due caution and circumspection, of a lawful act which might produce death.”
It sounds like the ISM engaged in unlawful conduct and/or without due caution and circumspection acts that a reasonable person would expect to result in death or serious injury. If Israel has a similar law, maybe it can demand the extradition of the ISM personnel involved.
