If a criminal offered 'blood money' to escpae prison in a 3rd World country what would you think?

[sandyRoe]

http://www.telegraph....ws-to-dodge-jail.html

Is it worse that a rich American can do it too?

[craft1948]

I think that's disgusting................he should have been imprisoned and the 2 widows should then have sued him for compensation.

[Sqad]

Depends how much? I wold take,,,say....£500,000 for the wife and much less for the kids.

You can't bring them back to life, so why not take the money if offered?

Blood money is common place in middle eastern countries.

[rowanwitch]

In a poor country the loss of a breadwinner/protector would possibly result in the family starving or worse...financial compensation would at least offer protection and a chance for the children in any situation to do well... and my ex husband....compensation oh a box of chocolates and some wine would have been enough....

[sandyRoe]

I could understand this happening in a poor country where, as Rowanwitch stated, the loss of a family member might have catastrophic consequences. But in the USA, the judge should never have agreed to the deal.

[rowanwitch]

interesting precedent though....

.Mr Gates why did you shoot your senior executive....

...The compensation for his redundancy would be more than the blood money...its cool here's the cheque....

[venator]

This example is particularly sickening, but no different in principle to what happens in UK courts
Money will buy the law in this country, too - look at superinjunctions and cases where big corporations drag out litigation for years while the victims run out of money or die off.

[scotman]

Payment of 'blood money' is along established custom throughout the world. It was prevalent in Europe at one time - Eric etc.

[knowabit]

He should pay those families AND go to prison. Why one or the other??