Justice prevails

[seamusTX]

A family with a 4-year-old autistic son moved into a swank neighborhood in the San Diego, California, area.

Neighbors reacted with more than the usual fear, bigotry, and hatred. They called the police and the state child protection agency, both of whom declined to investigate. Then they filed a request for a restraining order limiting the father and son to their own property.

In court papers, Sarah Fisher wrote that, "Gary Trussell is a very violent, unstable and unpredictable man." Daniele Harway said, "He looked to be on drugs." And Kelly Plaster added, "I'm concerned that Gary or his son will gain access to Gary's firearms."

The father is a commercial airline pilot certified in the Federal Flight Deck Officer program and was a lieutenant colonel in the Marines with 25 years of service.

A judge tossed out the neighbors' court filings and ordered them to pay the defendant's legal fees, totaling about $12,000.

http://www.10news.com/news/19306624/detail.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[bpet]

AMEN!!!

Stupid is as stupid does and sometimes (even in California), sanity prevails and justice is served. $12,000 is nothing compared to the ill will that these people caused.

[tfrazier]

And I like this part, too:

But the San Diego sheriff's deputy who responded declined to write a report. CPS dropped the case as unsubstantiated, and Continental Airlines stood by their longtime employee.

There is some common sense and officer discretion left out there! Good on ya, Deputy!

[seamusTX]

Maybe Continental being based in Texas also makes a difference.

- Jim

[longtooth]

I like it. I like it. I like it.

[nitrogen]

This needs to be replicated to the point where it's no longer news.

Just awesome.

[seamusTX]

This incident is news because the underlying events are now rare.

It used to be that there was quite a bit of bigotry toward people with neurological and mental disorders. For the most part, they were locked away in state institutions that were as bad as anything that Charles Dickens saw or imagined.

It just so happens that I am rereading Oliver Sacks's Awakenings. The way that people with these disabilities were treated in times past is disgusting.

The American population in general is much more understanding now.

- Jim

[Liberty]

I just read this after the "SuperHeros" thread.
I guess in this case the real Super hero wears a black robe instead of tights and a cape. Good for him.