http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/27/helicopter.crash/index.html


(CNN) -- The man allegedly at the center of a police chase that led to a deadly collision of two news helicopters in the air over Phoenix, Arizona, was arraigned Saturday.


Police say suspect Christopher Jones will likely be charged with the deaths of the four killed in the crash.

1 of 4 more photos » Christopher Jones faces four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of theft of means of transportation and one count of resisting arrest. The judge set his bail at $1 million after a prosecutor said Jones is a risk to flee.

"He put the entire community in danger ... everyone on the street was a possible victim," the prosecutor said.

During the hearing, Jones said he blacked out and when he came to, police used tear gas and a taser on him. "I don't know how all this happened. I really don't," Jones said.

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris has said the suspect will likely also face criminal charges for the deaths of the four people on board the two helicopters.

A "go team" from the National Transportation Safety Board has arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, to investigate Friday's midair collision, an NTSB spokesman said Saturday.

"Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims," Steve Chealander told reporters. "It's heartbreaking to see these kinds of accidents."

KTVK-TV said photojournalist Jim Cox and pilot Scott Bowerbank were killed in the crash. KNXV-TV identified its crew as photographer Rick Krolak and pilot Craig Smith.

Charred debris from the helicopters remained scattered in a downtown park, which was closed to the public.

The rotor blade from one helicopter hit the front windshield of a truck, but the driver was uninjured, Chealander said. The blade finally imbedded itself in the asphalt, he said.

Chealander said eight NTSB investigators began arriving in Phoenix late Friday night. They will take the information they collect, including interviews with witnesses, back to Washington for analysis, he said. The spokesman said he didn't know how long that would take.

Chealander said a pond in the park will be drained for any further evidence.

The helicopters from rival stations were tracking a police chase through the streets of downtown Phoenix when they collided at midday Friday, crashing to the ground in flames and heavy smoke.

Police were pursuing a stolen truck towing a trailer. The suspect was apprehended after a standoff.

Aerial footage from another station covering the chase, KPNX-TV, showed large plumes of black smoke and flames coming from the wreckage. Watch smoke and flames pour from debris »

"I was driving and heard a bang," one unnamed witness told KPHO-TV.

"I was standing out on Central Avenue and I was looking over to the park and saw the helicopters get close," Jerry Fender told KPHO. "The blue one split and went down. The red or orange one went right after it."

"Looked something like 9/11 with debris exploding everywhere," said witness Brian Kenneth, the station reported.

Rick Gotchie, a Phoenix air-conditioning contractor working at a nearby building, was watching the helicopters circling the scene and noticed they were getting closer to each other, The Associated Press reported.

"I kept saying go lower, go lower, but he didn't," Gotchie said.


Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told The Associated Press the agency is reviewing air traffic control tapes to see if the helicopters' pilots were communicating before the crash.

"Typically air traffic controllers clear helicopters into an area where they can cover a chase like this," Gregor told AP. "Once they are in the area, the pilots themselves are responsible for keeping themselves separated from other aircraft."



Do you think it's fair for the guy who was leading the police on the chase to be charged with murder for the 4 passengers of the helicopters?

You run from the cops, you deserve the beat down you get.

You cause others to die while running? Homicide. Don't flippin' run.

Ok just saw that it was 2 helicopters colliding and in that case, maybe not.

Still think he should be held accountable in some way though.

You run from the cops, you deserve the beat down you get.

You cause others to die while running? Homicide. Don't flippin' run.

yep. in tx they now have a law that police officers cannot chase you in traffic and at high speeds. i say if you run you deserve your tires to be shot out and if you get out and run bam in your knee caps. JMHO

Absolutely. Not in the way of murder charges per se, but definitely with some kind of reckless driving resulting in death charge (or however they would word it).

Not that it will even matter if he is charged. The idiot rammed a police car. Anytime you try to hurt a cop you go to jail for a LONG time.

I heard about it on the news this morning and I'm kinda on the fence about it. They wouldn't have died if he hadn't been running from the cops, but then again they didn't have to be there following him. Technically it's the guy's fault for their deaths, but it's kind of a stretch to charge him with it.

I agree, don't run, and if he caused traffic accidents and people died, he absolutely be charged. But I don't agree with them charging him for the helo deaths. That was pilot error and I think charging the driver is pushing it. Just curious what others thought!

Manslaughter charges wouldn't be so bad since he was being a menace to society evading police like that. How many laws did he break?? Traffic violations... the loss of life could've been tremendous!!!!

Absolutely he should be responsible. If you run and cause damage or loss of life you should have to pay the consequences.

no i do not think that they should be charged with murder, manslaughter maybe. in these types of situations, the pilots are in charge of where they and other helo's are. the pilots got caught up in the chase and werent paying attention the way they should have. but i do believe the suspect did play a role in it and that is why i say manslaughter and not murder.

no i do not think that they should be charged with murder, manslaughter maybe. in these types of situations, the pilots are in charge of where they and other helo's are. the pilots got caught up in the chase and werent paying attention the way they should have. but i do believe the suspect did play a role in it and that is why i say manslaughter and not murder.

:yes Couldn't have said it better.

I think it should be manslaughter charges at least. His car was the reason the helo's were up they were following the chase. So I think any accidents related to his car chase fall on him.

I don't think he is resonsible for the crash and, thus, should not face charges related to the crash. I do think, though, that this can serve to highlight just how dangerous the media's need to get the scoop and be first with every story has become a danger. The people responsible for the safe flight of those helicopters were the pilots - THEY are the ones who failed to maintain a safe distance and practice safe flight and THAT is what resulted in the crash and deaths.

I don't think he should be charged with murder, but definitely manslaughter. It is partly his fault, and he should be held accountable.

They would be alive if it were not for him.

I don't think he is resonsible for the crash and, thus, should not face charges related to the crash. The people responsible for the safe flight of those helicopters were the pilots - THEY are the ones who failed to maintain a safe distance and practice safe flight and THAT is what resulted in the crash and deaths.

Exactly. They were jockying for the best spot and the best shot, so he is not responsible.

I don't think he is resonsible for the crash and, thus, should not face charges related to the crash. I do think, though, that this can serve to highlight just how dangerous the media's need to get the scoop and be first with every story has become a danger. The people responsible for the safe flight of those helicopters were the pilots - THEY are the ones who failed to maintain a safe distance and practice safe flight and THAT is what resulted in the crash and deaths.

I agree. It's not the guys fault that the pilots didn't maintain a safe distance and watch their surroundings to avoid the crash. However, I think he should be responsible for something because he was fleeing from police and had he not been, the crash wouldn't have happened.

I don't think he is resonsible for the crash and, thus, should not face charges related to the crash. I do think, though, that this can serve to highlight just how dangerous the media's need to get the scoop and be first with every story has become a danger. The people responsible for the safe flight of those helicopters were the pilots - THEY are the ones who failed to maintain a safe distance and practice safe flight and THAT is what resulted in the crash and deaths.

I agree with the bolded part. If the helicopters had been police helicopters looking for him and related to the chase, then I think that he should have had manslaughter charges. If they were innocent people driving who crashed because of him, then I would think it was his fault. But these people were not just there, they were there to cover the story and they did not maintain a safe distance, which was their own fault. I think the crash is tragic, and my prayers go to their families, but the pilots were not simply there as a coincidence, and they behaved in a reckless manner, which was not the person they were following's fault.

They would be alive if it were not for him.

They would be alive if they hadn't flown recklessly trying to get a scoop.

I do not think it's fair for the suspect to be charged in the deaths of those killed in the helicopter collision.

Sounds like a slippery slope theory to me...

I don't think he is resonsible for the crash and, thus, should not face charges related to the crash. I do think, though, that this can serve to highlight just how dangerous the media's need to get the scoop and be first with every story has become a danger. The people responsible for the safe flight of those helicopters were the pilots - THEY are the ones who failed to maintain a safe distance and practice safe flight and THAT is what resulted in the crash and deaths.

I agree with this.

The man had absolutely no control over what was happening in the air, so how could he be held accountable? If two people died because their cars collided in a race to go see a celebrity on the next street, would the celebrity be responsible for their deaths?

I agree with this.

The man had absolutely no control over what was happening in the air, so how could he be held accountable? If two people died because their cars collided in a race to go see a celebrity on the next street, would the celebrity be responsible for their deaths?

Nice thoughts. I agree... all for the mighty dollar.

no he shouldn't. The helocopters were doing their job and wern't watching where they were going. How is that the guys fault? He should be charged running from the cops, and whatever he was running for but not for the helocopters crashing into eachotherbut that's just my opinion.

No I dont....He wasn't in the air and didn't make them fly around following him he has a choice and obviously they should have been paying better attention to flying than getting a good picture of him.

I agree with this.

The man had absolutely no control over what was happening in the air, so how could he be held accountable? If two people died because their cars collided in a race to go see a celebrity on the next street, would the celebrity be responsible for their deaths?

I like this train of thought, and view this incident as nothing more than people rubbernecking. If this guys lawyers can't get these charges dropped, they should be disbared. That being said, he should ALSO be charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter about 3000 times. The fact that there were three helicopters (at least) in that area in such close proximity SHOULD raise questions about station policies on "getting stories" with such recklessness. I would like to see the stations fined for potentially killing innocents on the ground in their pursuit of "news".

no i do not think that they should be charged with murder, manslaughter maybe. in these types of situations, the pilots are in charge of where they and other helo's are. the pilots got caught up in the chase and werent paying attention the way they should have. but i do believe the suspect did play a role in it and that is why i say manslaughter and not murder.

:agree

I don't think he is resonsible for the crash and, thus, should not face charges related to the crash. I do think, though, that this can serve to highlight just how dangerous the media's need to get the scoop and be first with every story has become a danger. The people responsible for the safe flight of those helicopters were the pilots - THEY are the ones who failed to maintain a safe distance and practice safe flight and THAT is what resulted in the crash and deaths.

Good Point too!

I agree with this.

The man had absolutely no control over what was happening in the air, so how could he be held accountable? If two people died because their cars collided in a race to go see a celebrity on the next street, would the celebrity be responsible for their deaths?

:yes

I like this train of thought, and view this incident as nothing more than people rubbernecking. If this guys lawyers can't get these charges dropped, they should be disbared. That being said, he should ALSO be charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter about 3000 times. The fact that there were three helicopters (at least) in that area in such close proximity SHOULD raise questions about station policies on "getting stories" with such recklessness. I would like to see the stations fined for potentially killing innocents on the ground in their pursuit of "news".

Well said, I completely agree.

It'd be one thing if it was a police helicopter aiding in the chase. If they were pursuing the guy, I'd say he was liable. But it really wasn't necessary for the media to be involved...

Sure, the guy is an ass for all the trouble he caused on the ground, and all the people he put at risk... but is it his fault the media was being recklessly nosy? No...

I do not think it's fair for the suspect to be charged in the deaths of those killed in the helicopter collision.

Sounds like a slippery slope theory to me...

Me too... When it came on the news, I ran to my TV so fast that I tripped over the dog, and fell on a knife... I'm gonna sue..

ETA: If anyone watched the actual footage, THE COPTER CRASHED AFTER THE SUSPECT WAS CAUGHT!!!!

Absolutely. Not in the way of murder charges per se, but definitely with some kind of reckless driving resulting in death charge (or however they would word it).

Not that it will even matter if he is charged. The idiot rammed a police car. Anytime you try to hurt a cop you go to jail for a LONG time.

:agree

No, I think it is silly to charge him with murder because two helicopters crashed while following him. They were there to get a news story and weren't paying attention. To me that is pilot error, the guy on the run didn't hit them, didn't shoot them, etc. I could see adding to his sentence, giving him some reckless endangerment or whatever lesser charge. But murder? No.

If we (society) wanted to set an example to other law-breakers, I would say, yes, charge him. Too many people do horrible things because the consequences aren't harsh enough.

This is off topic a little but makes a point:

If murderers and sex offenders were hung, wouldn't there be fewer people willing to do something like that? Too many people are given second chances to commit the same crimes again.

Set an example. He now has to deal with the consequences of his actions. I'm sure he didn't see this one coming but there are a lot of crimes where innocent people get hurt but they are hurt nonetheless.


It's the few that ruin it for the law-abiding citizens.

If we (society) wanted to set an example to other law-breakers, I would say, yes, charge him. Too many people do horrible things because the consequences aren't harsh enough.

This is off topic a little but makes a point:

If murderers and sex offenders were hung, wouldn't there be fewer people willing to do something like that? Too many people are given second chances to commit the same crimes again.

Set an example. He now has to deal with the consequences of his actions. I'm sure he didn't see this one coming but there are a lot of crimes where innocent people get hurt but they are hurt nonetheless.


It's the few that ruin it for the law-abiding citizens.


Harsh penalties may deter people who steal and commit petty crimes. But people who rape and kill have an entirely different mindset. Generally, I don't think they're "all there." Their motives are completely different, and I don't think that consequences are really a concern for them.

I *wish* it was as simple as you said though. :sigh

ETA: I'm totally behind hanging sex offenders. I'm ALL for the death penalty for those sick f*cks...

Harsh penalties may deter people who steal and commit petty crimes. But people who rape and kill have an entirely different mindset. Generally, I don't think they're "all there." Their motives are completely different, and I don't think that consequences are really a concern for them.

I *wish* it was as simple as you said though. :sigh

ETA: I'm totally behind hanging sex offenders. I'm ALL for the death penalty for those sick f*cks...

Yeah, I thought about that too. I just didn't go into that to keep it basic.

But I'm definitely teetering on whether he should get charged for murder or if he shouldn't. TRUE those four wouldn't have died had it not been for this guy. TRUE it's not those four people's faults that they were even sent out there by their bosses to film something that a lot of people probably think is completely stupid - car chases. But this guy didn't physically affect the outcome of the four people in those two helicopters. It really matters to you which matters most: His reclessness having an affect of these people OR that he didn't do anything to those four to cause their death. It comes down to someone's opinion to make that decision.

If we (society) wanted to set an example to other law-breakers, I would say, yes, charge him. Too many people do horrible things because the consequences aren't harsh enough.

This is off topic a little but makes a point:

If murderers and sex offenders were hung, wouldn't there be fewer people willing to do something like that? Too many people are given second chances to commit the same crimes again.

Set an example. He now has to deal with the consequences of his actions. I'm sure he didn't see this one coming but there are a lot of crimes where innocent people get hurt but they are hurt nonetheless.


It's the few that ruin it for the law-abiding citizens.

That's a VERY fine line you tread. A teen girl who has consenting sex may lie and say she was raped when confronted by her parents/peers. Repeat offenders, while rarer, could also be drawn into the same trap. In this society, all someone has to do is point a finger and produce a semen-filled condom and the guy is labelled a sex offender, regardless of who's DNA is in the condom - He was CHARGED with it, and even overruled, it's still in his record.

The punishment MUST fit the crime, and while I'm a HUGE proponent of bloody, gory, PPV executions, I can't stand firm in a belief that rape begets murder. Rape begets castration, public humiliation and raping him with a pineapple loaded with razor blades on the 50 yard line during the Superbowl halftime show... but not murder.

Revenge, while best served cold, is a tricky dish to prepare: Too little and you revictimize yourself and too much makes you the predator.

That's a VERY fine line you tread. A teen girl who has consenting sex may lie and say she was raped when confronted by her parents/peers. Repeat offenders, while rarer, could also be drawn into the same trap. In this society, all someone has to do is point a finger and produce a semen-filled condom and the guy is labelled a sex offender, regardless of who's DNA is in the condom - He was CHARGED with it, and even overruled, it's still in his record.

The punishment MUST fit the crime, and while I'm a HUGE proponent of bloody, gory, PPV executions, I can't stand firm in a belief that rape begets murder. Rape begets castration, public humiliation and raping him with a pineapple loaded with razor blades on the 50 yard line during the Superbowl halftime show... but not murder.

Revenge, while best served cold, is a tricky dish to prepare: Too little and you revictimize yourself and too much makes you the predator.

Am I sick in the head because I laughed my ass off about the pineapple? :rofl I completely agree with you though.

Am I sick in the head because I laughed my ass off about the pineapple? :rofl I completely agree with you though.

Not at all! That's a bit of a nod to Southpark and George Carlin, with a personal dash thrown in - and it's supposed to make you laugh! If you laughed, I KNOW you'd pay 30 bucks to watch it on Pay-Per-View! :)

I'm guilty of constantly saying all rapists/molesters need to be castrated, and that serial killers need to be hung in the courtyard. Or drawn and quartered. :yes My family thinks I'm psychotic, I just like to think I'm old fashioned. :wink

I'm guilty of constantly saying all rapists/molesters need to be castrated, and that serial killers need to be hung in the courtyard. Or drawn and quartered. :yes My family thinks I'm psychotic, I just like to think I'm old fashioned. :wink

Serial killers should be left alone with the surviving family members in a nice quiet room where the family members are given 4 seconds to assault him. This repeats until he is dead, and he will have died in perpetual fear.