Can we really blame the economy for murder? A recent investigation revealed that Christopher Wood, the man who shot his wife and three children to death before committing suicide in Middletown, Maryland, last weekend was in financial distress. Wood had a $460,000 in mortgage and credit card debt and apparently he saw no way out. Authorities searched Wood's computer for a motive. They concluded that the precipitating factor in the deaths was "severe financial difficulties." (Note: This is not the same Christopher Wood who predicted the Subprime Crash. LINK) The debt included a mortgage on a home in Florida that the family had been unable to sell. Wood was not unemployed. He was a salesman for CSX Railroad. Wood earned about $97,000 a year. That definitely puts him in the upper 40 percentile of wage earners. So was the debt really that insurmountable?
Perception can be more important than reality. Wood, 34, actually left six suicide notes. Deputies surmised that Christopher Wood shot himself with a shotgun Friday after killing his wife, Francie Billotti-Wood, and their children: Chandler, 5; Gavin, 4; and Fiona, 2 with a pistol as they slept. "Traumatic lacerations" were made after their deaths with a knife or saw. Clearly, Christopher Wood was a troubled man. Father's troubles
The wife and children apparently were killed while they slept Thursday night into Friday, Jenkins said.
Wood left individual suicide notes to his wife and each of the three children, expressing his sorrow and love. There was also a note for his mother, father and sister. A sixth note described his stresses, financial problems, and his struggle with depression.
Apparently, Woods had no criminal record nor any complaint of domestic violence in his home. So the question is this: If the crappy financial environment contributed to the cause of this murder suicide, should those responsible for our economy and banking crisis be charged as accomplices?
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16 comments:
Let's indict Congress and the President!
This is way worse then waterboarding!
We seem to be hearing the same story every week. Very sad.
He was clearly driven to the edge by the state of the divorce laws in this country.
Now you don't know what his status. But I don't think he was in an alimony state. But nice try to discredit an honest approach intended to reduce domestic violence. Leads me to believe that you are a lawyer who exploits a litiguous system in order to fatten your wallet or a woman or man who is enjoying an alimony check. If either are true, it may explain your motive.
Iron Mike
Maybe he is a corporate CEO trying to avoid indictment. LOL
Sallie
Better yet, maybe he is a captured Pirate who was waterboarded into confessing responsibility for the banking crisis which in turn caused this tragedy.
jester
This is a slippery slope that I don't think anyone wants to really get on. The law is clear about who is or is not an accomplice. Ultimately this man committed this horrible act against his family by himself, despite the underlying reasons for his distress.
Laws are made to be changed. All this corporate exec cheating had consequences.. Seems only natural to be responsible for forseeable deaths.
harry
I would not think much of any lawyer who would bring such a suit. but on the other hand, I might not think too favorably about most lawyers any way.
Face it: You just don't think period.
You have to take responsibility for your own actions! Although I would love to charge corporate crooks with murder, the fact is this guy was just sick in the head. Many people out there are in similiar situations and they don't commit the atrocities this guy did. When we start thinking our actions are the fault of someone else is when society will crumble. I should do something really heinous and blame it on my financial difficulties. People will understand right? It's not my fault, it's Freddie Mac's! Ridiculous!
When Chris told his family that the market was killing them, who would have guessed just how right he may have been.
Maybe money, or lack there of, is the root of all evil.
Let's press for indictments!
Sad that it is almost true...
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