FHP Charges Tiger With Careless Driving; Case Closed?
One thing really leaps out from today's Florida Highway Patrol announcement of Tiger's $164 fine and four point addition to his drivers license record.
The FHP is not pursing criminal charges in this matter, nor is there any testimony or other evidence to support additional charges of any kind. After reviewing the evidence available to us, and in consultation with the Office of State Attorney Lawson Lamar, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence available to issue a subpoena for additional medical information that may exist in this case. We cannot speak to the existence of any blood evidence, nor are there claims of domestic violence by any individual.
Based on what we learned earlier today, state law does not require a "claim" of domestic violence for an agency to purse an investigation and possible charges. Was this because it's out of the FHP's jurisdiction to investigate domestic violence, above their pay grade or just something they chose not to pursue?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Reader Comments (16)
Pity TW and family can't be there on Sunday to present the trophy to the worthy winner.
FHP mission, authority, jurisdiction:
http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/html/Manuals/fh02-01.pdf
If I had to guess, they made a couple of calculated decisions. One was that a subpoena for medical records would be a waste of time, and the records probably would not have been sufficiently probative.
The other, a search warrant for the Woods home, to check out any surveillance video, might have been more valuable, but only if it really showed anything. Perhaps the system wasn't even on, or working. Perhaps the system doesn't record; cameras might just feed to a monitor. Perhaps the cameras don't show the correct area in any event. Perhaps the system records over itself after the passage of 2 or 3 days. Perhaps Tiger erased anything that was there. (I'm not aware that a 'spoliation of evidence' charge or an obstruction of justice count could be based on that.)
I'll say this too; if Tiger really wanted to fight the careless driving citation, he might be able to. Tiger's story might be, "I wasn't driving, and I don't know who was driving." But to do that, he'd probably have to testify, and that's exactly what he doesn't want to happen. That die was cast the moment he issued a statement. (He could even get around that, by saying, "I never said that. That was all drafted by some IMG guys who work for Mark Steinberg. The first time I ever saw that statement was while I was watching Golf Channel.")
I wonder what consequences there might have been if he had gone a mile down the road, then had his "accident".
Can you imagine if it was you or me who rolled over a hydrant then bashed a tree in a yard that
wasn't our next door neighbors?
Then was found sprawled out in the middle of the street with shorts and a tee shirt without shoes and babbling incoherently through a bloody mouth? With smashed windows of my SUV?
And then to not get questioned for 3 days only to be charged with a "parking" ticket after a thorough investigation?
I think the blow back for Tiger isn't going to be fan's reactions to the "brand" or his alleged infidelity, but rather the opinion that he is just another coddled elitist (read bankers etc.) who escape the consequences of their actions, while the average Joe takes the full brunt of life's unfairness squarely in the gonads.
Who cares if some smug, aloof, billionaire breaks a hallowed golf record, if that person is perceived to be the manifestation of all that has gone wrong in America as of late...a preening selfishness and self absorption on one's own preservation and material well being at all costs.
Tiger trades on his public image to make himself and his sponsors money, then turns around and treats said public with complete disdain bordering on utter dismissal..."private matter etc.", yet expects that same uncouth rabble to make him rich by consuming the wares he peddles.
I've been to the Riv 3 times to watch the Nissan/Northern Trust Open and remarkably have punched fists with Phil on two separate occasions as he made his way from green to tee.
As we all know Tiger, by contrast could give a shit less if there was anyone there as he walks with eyes glued to the ground in front of him.
I think without a doubt many will be rooting for Jack's record to not be broken by such an empty,
ungrateful lout who cares only about himself (charity notwithstanding).
As for how to handle a true crises like a man, its unbelievable no one has mentioned Magic Johnson, who had everything to lose (literally his life) and faced his issue head on, publicly and with dignity.
I remember the next day, I got tested and I am sure thousands of others did, and who knows how many lives may have been saved.
You will not find a more beloved figure in LA than Magic.
As for Tiger, he's a bum.
I have never seen him sign autographs, even at the Target tournament, or at the Riv, or at the old La Costa tournament, nor the Buick.
Nor have I ever seen him interact with the gallery walking between holes. And did you see his concern
after banging his club into the gallery in Melbourne? No sheepish grin, no word of thanks, no apologies. Just grab club, walk away, hit shot, put...repeat.
Thank you for pointing out the one exception which proves the rule.
In other words, I think your characterization of him as a "manifestation of all that has gone wrong in America as of late" either pre-dates this incident or is dramatically overblown.
I think Tiger's first 'mandatroy' event is the WGC Accenture match play.
There is also the ATT Invitational at Pebble. Is that a new mandatory event for Tiger? I suppose it could be; AT&T, and all. But he HATES playing in that event. I somehow don't think he'll be paired with George Lopez, as Geoff has already noted...
Every other year, he blows it off, but when it suits his purposes he will be there.
And Erik, if he did nothing wrong, why the "cover-up" and the "my privacy" rap?
Its all about character, and in this case Tiger has failed miserably.
He could do a telephone interview for 10 minutes to a sycophant reporter, and clear it up pronto.
But, still nothing.