Jonathan Vilma Arrested - Confirmed (1 Viewer)

[NPs6724]

I would say almost hitting a couple of people with a car is a pretty big deal.

Only if he actually came close to hitting them. "Almost hitting" them could be from 20 feet away. It could be the pedestrian's fault for trying to cross at the wrong time (which happens quite often). It could be Vilma's iPod fell off the seat and he reached down for it and that caused it. We just don't know what they mean by almost.

But really, almost doing something just isn't a big deal because nothing actually happened. It would only be a big deal if he didn't almost do it.

What you said about resisting arrest ("man up and deal with the situation not make it worse") only applies if the cop was respectful and just doing his job and Vilma was being belligerent.

I usually don't have any issue with cops, but too many times I've read about cops either letting pro athletes off easy for major offenses or being too hard on them on minor offenses.

 

[Super Dave]

were the pedestrians named bullocks or kaesviharn?

He must have passed them...

 

[GoldRush26]

Only if he actually came close to hitting them. "Almost hitting" them could be from 20 feet away. It could be the pedestrian's fault for trying to cross at the wrong time (which happens quite often). It could be Vilma's iPod fell off the seat and he reached down for it and that caused it. We just don't know what they mean by almost.

But really, almost doing something just isn't a big deal because nothing actually happened. It would only be a big deal if he didn't almost do it.

What you said about resisting arrest ("man up and deal with the situation not make it worse") only applies if the cop was respectful and just doing his job and Vilma was being belligerent.

I usually don't have any issue with cops, but too many times I've read about cops either letting pro athletes off easy for major offenses or being too hard on them on minor offenses.

Almost is a big deal in many cases, this being one of them. For instance, the courts take "almost" killing someone pretty seriously, and they go to prison for it.

Not saying that applies to Vilma, but just because nothing came of it doesn't mean it's not a big deal.

 

[Rugger]

Only if he actually came close to hitting them. "Almost hitting" them could be from 20 feet away.

Well then he would have nearly hit everyone walking down the side walk.

I will be honest...in most cases I side with the cop. Sure I understand they many of them come off as dicks (yes I have had my experiences), but unless the cop is physically assaulting you, you are not going to win anything by being non compliant. All of these "what if the cop..." scenarios are pointless. Bottom line is John got arrested. Rude cop or not that is a John problem.

 

[Jackavelli]

He "almost killed 2 people"? By almost hitting them? That's a bit of a stretch considering we don't know how close he was to actually hitting them or the speed he was traveling. If we were all held accountable for things we almost did, we'd all be in jail for 20+ years. I mean, we've all almost sideswiped someone which could've killed the people in the other car, but we didn't actually hit them.


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When you read that report that Vilma almost hit someone with a vehicle it is not a stretch. A stretch would be saying that he meant to hit them or something to that effect. When someone gets hit by a vehicle death is a real possibility, not a stretch. Everything you said only went toward my original statement. I just wonder how many of us reading this same report and two of our loved ones were the pedestrians (sp?) would be singing the same tune. Again, I'm waiting for more facts... I'm not saying lock away the key, don't resign him, or that he is a bad guy; just interesting to see some running to his defense... I'm not saying don't run to his defense because we don't know all the facts, I understand that we want him in a saints uniform next year and he gets a pass by some. You want to know why some famous people feel the rules do not apply to them, read this thread. I'm hoping it is just a one time mistake if true and he is making tackles for the saints next year.

Just please don't tell me that IF true that he almost hit two people with his car while performing a illegal act that it is o.k. That is my point, I'm not so much worried about all the other things in the report if true, but almost killing two people if true for some crazy reason would bother me. Anyway, i'm done with my rant and posting on this thread; just remember that when you are crossing the street and someone almost hits you that it is o.k. even if you don't want them in a saints uniform next year. sarcasm off.

 

[NPs6724]

Almost is a big deal in many cases, this being one of them. For instance, the courts take "almost" killing someone pretty seriously, and they go to prison for it.

Not saying that applies to Vilma, but just because nothing came of it doesn't mean it's not a big deal.

Attempted murder is not the same as almost hitting someone in any way except someone didn't die. These comparisons are getting worse and worse. Attempted murder requires a pre-meditative act. For instance, just pointing a gun at someone is not attempted murder but firing the gun at someone is. I've almost been hit while crossing the street. It's definitely not a fun situation, but nothing actually happened to me. It's a nonevent.

The bigger issue IMO is why was Vilma even asked to step out of the vehicle? Even if the cop thought he may have been intoxicated, I don't believe the protocol is to force them out of the vehicle without first coming to the window and deciding to test the driver.

 

[FatiusJeebs]

how did this happen?!?!?

 

[St. Greatness]

Almost is a big deal in many cases, this being one of them. For instance, the courts take "almost" killing someone pretty seriously, and they go to prison for it.

Not saying that applies to Vilma, but just because nothing came of it doesn't mean it's not a big deal.

I see what you're getting at, but the court thing isn't a strong argument. I'm assuming that the "'almost' killing someone" part as attempted murder. In that case, someone was actually harmed and didn't die or someone had the intent to kill someone (and failed). I find it hard to believe that John had the intent to hit those pedestrians (if he did, then I don't want him on the team). I'm siding with NPs6724 on this one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think this situation should be taken lightly, but at the same time, neither of the pedestrians were harmed, so it shouldn't be taken to the other extreme either.

 

[Rugger]

I see what you're getting at, but the court thing isn't a strong argument. I'm assuming that the "'almost' killing someone" part as attempted murder. In that case, someone was actually harmed and didn't die or someone had the intent to kill someone (and failed). I find it hard to believe that John had the intent to hit those pedestrians (if he did, then I don't want him on the team). I'm siding with NPs6724 on this one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think this situation should be taken lightly, but at the same time, neither of the pedestrians were harmed, so it shouldn't be taken to the other extreme either.

I agree that we do not know "how close" is "close" to hitting two people with a car, however the bottom line is you do not get arrested for getting pulled over unless you are fleeing police in the first place. You get arrested for doing something wrong. Apparently John got arrested for resisting.

 

[Mojomajik9]

There are a thousand things that could go into running a red light and nearly hitting two people. Playing with your IPOD, cell phone, CD player, GPS or whatever other gadget is hot right now. Just being ticked off and plain not paying attention.

Vilma did something dumb many of us have done and he's going to pay his fine and hopefully walk away a little wiser for the experience. But, I'm not any less sold on the guy. There's a world of difference between doing something dumb and making a mistake and telling your buddy to kill someone at a strip club..Pacman..cough, cough

 

[SinnerSaint]

Man, this just SUUUCKS!!!!! I really hope this is some kind of big misunderstanding. I've always been so proud of Vilma, ESPECIALLY after he donned the Black 'N Gold.

 

[Treybad]

Time for a new NFL, if your gonna act like a idiot then go play in the CFL..... tired of helping guys like Burress, Pacman, Vick, and others get there million dollar paydays to be acting like this.... should be a privlage too play in the NFL, not a kindergarten class were your put in time out and allowed too play with the football again..... there should be no second chances.... for idiots too bank on millions from us the fans....

 

[St. Greatness]

I agree that we do not know "how close" is "close" to hitting two people with a car, however the bottom line is you do not get arrested for getting pulled over unless you are fleeing police in the first place. You get arrested for doing something wrong. Apparently John got arrested for resisting.

And NP was saying that wrong thing is not as big a deal as people are making it out to be. I mean, I'm not condoning John's behavior, but people have been arrested for much worse.

 

[Rugger]

And NP was saying that wrong thing is not as big a deal as people are making it out to be. I mean, I'm not condoning John's behavior, but people have been arrested for much worse.

No he is saying we do not know how big of a wrong thing it is yet.

 

[All The Way]

This is not characteristic of Jon. I'll reserve judgment until more details are out and I definitely won't base my judgment off of the initial news/police report.

Both football players AND cops can fly off the handle pretty quickly and cause things to escalate unnecessarily. My fingers are crossed that things can wrap up amicably.