Death resulting from spear tackle = Manslaughter

[caffiend]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news...ectid=10575238

A high school rugby player in Canada has been found guilty of manslaughter over a spear tackle.

The teen was playing in a game in 2007 when, the prosecution said, he lifted rival player Manny Castillo into the air, his feet facing upwards, and drove him head first into the ground.

..

"The defendant intentionally applied force that was outside the rules of the game or any standard by which the game is played," the judge said.

This is quite an amazing precedent; as far as I know this has been charged quite a lot, but never succesfully prosecuted anywhere before, although admittedly my quick 'net search was fairly limited. Does anyone know of this happening before?

[Spoon1]

Hmmm, I'm half and half on whether it's a good ruling or not.

Nobody should perform proper spear tackles as they're just fucking dangerous but at the same time, if it wasn't a deliberate spear and was unintentional then it's just bad luck IMO - you do have to accept the risks when you play...

[fixed_truth]

The defendant intentionally applied force that was outside the rules of the game or any standard by which the game is played

good job he got done imo

[herp]

Originally Posted by Spoon1

Nobody should perform proper spear tackles as they're just fucking dangerous but at the same time, if it wasn't a deliberate spear and was unintentional then it's just bad luck IMO - you do have to accept the risks when you play...

Spear tackles are always deliberate, and when you flip someone over so his feet are facing upwards and drive him into the ground then there's intent.

His defense sounds pretty weak to be honest, trying to get out of a headlock?

[leadinjector]

good thing imo, maybe will stop people trying it on.