Man dies and teen locked up after road rage incident - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 09-15-2005, 08:50 AM

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--roadrage0913sep13,0,7512723,print.story?coll=ny-region-apnewjersey

A man is dead and a teen locked up after road rage incident

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. -- Enraged after being cut off by a teen driver, authorities say a man then followed the high school athlete home and tried to run the youth down with his car. Instead, the 53-year-old was punched into unconsciousness and died Tuesday.

The teen was jailed, charged with aggravated assault.

Jeffrey Zucker, a lawyer for the 17-year-old, said it was a case of self-defense.

The charges against the boy, whose name was not released because of his age, were filed before James D. Munter died late Tuesday morning. The charges could be upgraded, but Bill Shralow, a spokesman for the Camden County prosecutor's office, said that decision would not be made Tuesday.

The youth cut off Munter, of Lindenwold, on a road in Laurel Springs on Monday evening, authorities said.

Zucker said the teen was on his way home from football practice around 5:30 p.m. when he inadvertently cut off the other driver.

Authorities said Munter followed the teen three miles to the student's home in Lindenwold, screaming through his window all the way. The teen used a cell phone to call his father, who told him to drive home, officials said.

When the teen arrived home, Zucker said, he ran across the street to his home from his still-idling truck, but he was not fast enough. With the teen's father watching, Munter drove into the youth, authorities said.

The teen, who Zucker said is about 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, rolled off the hood of Munter's 1999 Mercury Sable, landed on his feet, walked to the driver's side of the car and punched Munter twice in the head.

Munter's son-in-law, Mark Serota, who described the man as "nice, fun-loving, goodhearted," said he lost consciousness instantly and never regained it.

Serota said police had asked the family not to talk about the details of the incident, including whether it seemed in character for Munter to follow or confront someone he considered to be a rude driver.

The teen was ordered to remain in the Camden County Youth Detention Center, at least until a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Zucker said he hoped his client would be released to his parents then.

"It's a true tragedy because it certainly escalated into something that shouldn't have happened," Zucker said. "He was almost killed."

Zucker said three officials at the school where his client was a junior wrote letters supporting him, praising him as a good student and good citizen.

Gerri Carroll, the schools superintendent in Lindenwold, said extra help was available Tuesday for high school students who needed support after hearing about the incident.

The boy, she said, is an "excellent student, which is why this is very uncharacteristic."

Janice · 09-15-2005, 08:53 AM

I'm leaning towards self-defense for this teen. He was chased on the road and then run over. I'd punch the guy myself. I'm surprised he was charged with anything.

PZelda · 09-15-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm leaning towards self-defense for this teen. He was chased on the road and then run over. I'd punch the guy myself. I'm surprised he was charged with anything.

Still, he FATALLY beat this guy. I don't care if it was self-defense or not, he KILLED another guy. Now he has to pay dearly for his actions.

Janice · 09-15-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PZelda

Still, he FATALLY beat this guy. I don't care if it was self-defense or not, he KILLED another guy. Now he has to pay dearly for his actions.

Maybe he didn't mean to kill him. The guy did run him over with his car, and I assume he was definitely trying to kill the teen.

PZelda · 09-15-2005, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Maybe he didn't mean to kill him. The guy did run him over with his car, and I assume he was definitely trying to kill the teen.

I'm not feeling too good today, so forgive me. Oh well, an ******* is dead now...Only got to hope the teen gets off easy.

Janice · 09-15-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PZelda

I'm not feeling too good today, so forgive me. Oh well, an ******* is dead now...Only got to hope the teen gets off easy.

I'm sorry you're not feeling good Allison. I also understand your argument on this one. I haven't quite figured it out fully in my mind yet myself.

Brian Damage · 09-15-2005, 10:21 AM

To me, the man put himself in that situation. He followed him three miles and then tried to run him down. Granted, the "right thing" to do would be to run in the house and call the police, but it's hard to say what anyone of us would've done in the same situation. The kid is only 17 and at that age, you have alot of bravado. I'm not trying to exonerate the kid, but there does seem to be "just cause."

MsOrange · 09-15-2005, 01:32 PM

self-defense, all the way. The kid wasn't trying to kill the man... but the man was obviously trying to kill the kid.

YoliUSA · 09-15-2005, 03:56 PM

I believe the kid did it in self-defense.

dawsongirl · 09-15-2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm leaning towards self-defense for this teen. He was chased on the road and then run over. I'd punch the guy myself. I'm surprised he was charged with anything.

Me too. The fact that it was fatal may have just been the kid didn't know his own strength. I doubt he intended to kill the guy like the guy tried to kill him. I mean, what was that guy thinking following the kid? People get cut off all the time. As long as it didn't cause a wreck, you just cuss to yourself and go on.

Hollow · 09-15-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

self-defense, all the way. The kid wasn't trying to kill the man... but the man was obviously trying to kill the kid.

precisely.

Lee · 09-15-2005, 08:01 PM

I think the boy should have controlled his anger. I think he overreacted.

Kay Scarpetta · 09-15-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by webwarrior
I think the boy should have controlled his anger. I think he overreacted.

When somebody tries to run you over, let me know what you do.

Chocoholic · 09-16-2005, 06:41 PM

I also think this is a case of self-defense. I'm sure the kid didn't mean to kill the man, but he most likely feared for his life and only wanted to stop him. I hope he doesn't get charged with anything.

An angry person is a stupid person.

09-15-2005, 08:50 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Man dies and teen locked up after road rage incident http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--roadrage0913sep13,0,7512723,print.story?coll=ny-region-apnewjersey A man is dead and a teen locked up after road rage incident MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. -- Enraged after being cut off by a teen driver, authorities say a man then followed the high school athlete home and tried to run the youth down with his car. Instead, the 53-year-old was punched into unconsciousness and died Tuesday. The teen was jailed, charged with aggravated assault. Jeffrey Zucker, a lawyer for the 17-year-old, said it was a case of self-defense. The charges against the boy, whose name was not released because of his age, were filed before James D. Munter died late Tuesday morning. The charges could be upgraded, but Bill Shralow, a spokesman for the Camden County prosecutor's office, said that decision would not be made Tuesday. The youth cut off Munter, of Lindenwold, on a road in Laurel Springs on Monday evening, authorities said. Zucker said the teen was on his way home from football practice around 5:30 p.m. when he inadvertently cut off the other driver. Authorities said Munter followed the teen three miles to the student's home in Lindenwold, screaming through his window all the way. The teen used a cell phone to call his father, who told him to drive home, officials said. When the teen arrived home, Zucker said, he ran across the street to his home from his still-idling truck, but he was not fast enough. With the teen's father watching, Munter drove into the youth, authorities said. The teen, who Zucker said is about 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, rolled off the hood of Munter's 1999 Mercury Sable, landed on his feet, walked to the driver's side of the car and punched Munter twice in the head. Munter's son-in-law, Mark Serota, who described the man as "nice, fun-loving, goodhearted," said he lost consciousness instantly and never regained it. Serota said police had asked the family not to talk about the details of the incident, including whether it seemed in character for Munter to follow or confront someone he considered to be a rude driver. The teen was ordered to remain in the Camden County Youth Detention Center, at least until a hearing scheduled for Thursday. Zucker said he hoped his client would be released to his parents then. "It's a true tragedy because it certainly escalated into something that shouldn't have happened," Zucker said. "He was almost killed." Zucker said three officials at the school where his client was a junior wrote letters supporting him, praising him as a good student and good citizen. Gerri Carroll, the schools superintendent in Lindenwold, said extra help was available Tuesday for high school students who needed support after hearing about the incident. The boy, she said, is an "excellent student, which is why this is very uncharacteristic."

09-15-2005, 10:21 AM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	To me, the man put himself in that situation. He followed him three miles and then tried to run him down. Granted, the "right thing" to do would be to run in the house and call the police, but it's hard to say what anyone of us would've done in the same situation. The kid is only 17 and at that age, you have alot of bravado. I'm not trying to exonerate the kid, but there does seem to be "just cause."
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09-15-2005, 03:56 PM	#9
YoliUSA Fan of the Classics Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 13, 2002 Location: In a galaxy far, far away... Posts: 5,290	I believe the kid did it in self-defense.
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09-15-2005, 08:53 AM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I'm leaning towards self-defense for this teen. He was chased on the road and then run over. I'd punch the guy myself. I'm surprised he was charged with anything.

09-15-2005, 01:32 PM	#8
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	self-defense, all the way. The kid wasn't trying to kill the man... but the man was obviously trying to kill the kid.

09-15-2005, 08:01 PM	#12
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,768	I think the boy should have controlled his anger. I think he overreacted.

09-16-2005, 06:41 PM	#14
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I also think this is a case of self-defense. I'm sure the kid didn't mean to kill the man, but he most likely feared for his life and only wanted to stop him. I hope he doesn't get charged with anything. An angry person is a stupid person.