Comments on: Kidnapper sues victims who escaped for breach of contract http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:42:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Colin Rosenthal http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1284344 Colin Rosenthal Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1284344 I think this guy is actually being paid by the editors of a new Yiddish dictionary who are trying to improve the definition of "chutzpah". I think this guy is actually being paid by the editors of a new Yiddish dictionary who are trying to improve the definition of “chutzpah”.

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283373 Lobster Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283373 "The couple lulled Dimmick with a clever strategy of watching Robin Williams's Patch Adams with him while eating Cheetos and drinking Dr Pepper." A shared trauma can bring people together.  “The couple lulled Dimmick with a clever strategy of watching Robin Williams’s Patch Adams with him while eating Cheetos and drinking Dr Pepper.”

A shared trauma can bring people together. 

]]> By: bart http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283363 bart Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283363 From the original article, last paragraph: >Mr. Dimmick is representing himself. From the original article, last paragraph:

>Mr. Dimmick is representing himself.

]]> By: blueelm http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283342 blueelm Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283342 Hope they filed for damages in addition to the criminal trial. It would be funny. If I were a lawyer I'd honestly have represented the couple for free, just for the chance to write that utterly hilarious motion for dismissal.  Hope they filed for damages in addition to the criminal trial. It would be funny. If I were a lawyer I’d honestly have represented the couple for free, just for the chance to write that utterly hilarious motion for dismissal. 

]]> By: Jeremy Wilson http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283337 Jeremy Wilson Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283337 What really sucks is that the couple will have to pay an attorney to deal with it, even though it is completely ridiculous.   When it's dismissed, will they be reimbursed for fees? What really sucks is that the couple will have to pay an attorney to deal with it, even though it is completely ridiculous.   When it’s dismissed, will they be reimbursed for fees?

]]> By: DeargDoom http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283260 DeargDoom Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283260 Any legal expertise I have comes from watching Judge Judy but as far as I can tell from the article the kidnapper is the defendant and the two victims are the plaintiffs. He is counter suing with a claim which will presumably cause nothing other than amusement. Any legal expertise I have comes from watching Judge Judy but as far as I can tell from the article the kidnapper is the defendant and the two victims are the plaintiffs. He is counter suing with a claim which will presumably cause nothing other than amusement.

]]> By: OriGuy http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283252 OriGuy Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283252 Judges tend to give <em>pro se</em> plaintiffs a little extra leeway. It doesn't sound like the case has gotten to a preliminary hearing, though. It probably won't last past that. Judges tend to give pro se plaintiffs a little extra leeway. It doesn’t sound like the case has gotten to a preliminary hearing, though. It probably won’t last past that.

]]> By: ciacontra http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283188 ciacontra Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283188 Wow, their attorney was probably just bored and laughing his head off.  Either #3 or #4 is quite enough to toss this psycho's motion. I just have to wonder what sort of damages he was seeking?  Wow, their attorney was probably just bored and laughing his head off.  Either #3 or #4 is quite enough to toss this psycho’s motion.

I just have to wonder what sort of damages he was seeking? 

]]> By: Jason Crume http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283162 Jason Crume Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283162 The kidnap victims should be requesting attorney fees and sanctions because this is a frivolous claim.  A plaintiff acting pro se has to follow the Rules of Professional conduct and a lawyer cannot file a frivolous law suit. The kidnap victims should be requesting attorney fees and sanctions because this is a frivolous claim.  A plaintiff acting pro se has to follow the Rules of Professional conduct and a lawyer cannot file a frivolous law suit.

]]> By: benher http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283112 benher Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283112 Can they afford to litigate though? Maybe they should just settle. He's only demanding a Patch Adams Blu-Ray and a big gulp of DP... Can they afford to litigate though? Maybe they should just settle. He’s only demanding a Patch Adams Blu-Ray and a big gulp of DP…

]]> By: subtle http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283071 subtle Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283071 I don't know. Suing someone you have horribly wronged for an absurd reason? Sounds to me like this gentleman would have an excellent career arguing foreclosure law on the behalf of US Bank. I don’t know. Suing someone you have horribly wronged for an absurd reason? Sounds to me like this gentleman would have an excellent career arguing foreclosure law on the behalf of US Bank.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283032 Guest Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283032 I'd pay to see the judge's response to this. I’d pay to see the judge’s response to this.

]]> By: robuluz http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283006 robuluz Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283006 I like the way the article shows the cover of 'Patch Adams', as though endorsing it for emergency use in  home invasion hostage situations. It could be kept in a glass case beside the DVD player. "Heeey there, crazy knife wielding murderer guy who just broke into our house, lets all take it easy now. Why don't we just chill and watch this movie I have here  (*sound of glass breaking*) Oh wow, 'Patch Adams'! Honey, grab some Cheetos... (*sound of glass breaking from kitchen*)." I like the way the article shows the cover of ‘Patch Adams’, as though endorsing it for emergency use in  home invasion hostage situations.

It could be kept in a glass case beside the DVD player.

“Heeey there, crazy knife wielding murderer guy who just broke into our house, lets all take it easy now. Why don’t we just chill and watch this movie I have here  (*sound of glass breaking*) Oh wow, ‘Patch Adams’! Honey, grab some Cheetos… (*sound of glass breaking from kitchen*).”

]]> By: bardfinn http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1283004 bardfinn Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1283004 My verdict: Dismissed with prejudice, plaintiff is fined $60,000.00 plus court costs plus defendant's legal costs, Plaintiff is hereby ordered to perform 2000 hours of community service. My verdict:
Dismissed with prejudice, plaintiff is fined $60,000.00 plus court costs plus defendant’s legal costs, Plaintiff is hereby ordered to perform 2000 hours of community service.

]]> By: nathanroberts http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282993 nathanroberts Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282993 Further proof that you can sue absolutely anyone over absolutely anything. (Even if it gets laughed out of court in the first five minutes) Further proof that you can sue absolutely anyone over absolutely anything. (Even if it gets laughed out of court in the first five minutes)

]]> By: Patrick Spargur http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282976 Patrick Spargur Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282976 Would it be possible for someone here to rewrite this story as a string of facebook updates and tweets? I believe it is the only way to truly grasp the moment by moment drama. Would it be possible for someone here to rewrite this story as a string of facebook updates and tweets? I believe it is the only way to truly grasp the moment by moment drama.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282972 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282972 Competent kidnappers know that oral contracts are less binding than rope and duct tape. Competent kidnappers know that oral contracts are less binding than rope and duct tape.

]]> By: Warren_Terra http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282963 Warren_Terra Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282963 As has already been repeatedly noted, the article contains the following key sentence:<blockquote>Mr. Dimmick is representing himself.</blockquote>He's got nothing better to do with his time than think up legal cases to bring - and in this case, he was already involved in a legal tussle with his victims, because they were suing him for damages. It's funny, and it'll get tossed in a hot minute, but it's probably a better use of his time than watching <i>Patch Adams</i>. As has already been repeatedly noted, the article contains the following key sentence:
Mr. Dimmick is representing himself.

He’s got nothing better to do with his time than think up legal cases to bring – and in this case, he was already involved in a legal tussle with his victims, because they were suing him for damages. It’s funny, and it’ll get tossed in a hot minute, but it’s probably a better use of his time than watching Patch Adams.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282960 mccrum Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282960 Scientology kidnaps people and holds them against their will?  Why, that sounds like something a cult would do!  And since they have tax-free status as a church they can't be a cult.  Oh well.  Must just be some reporter making up a story for their deadline.  [/sarcasm] Scientology kidnaps people and holds them against their will?  Why, that sounds like something a cult would do!  And since they have tax-free status as a church they can’t be a cult. 

Oh well.  Must just be some reporter making up a story for their deadline.  [/sarcasm]

]]> By: Florian Bösch http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282954 Florian Bösch Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282954 Never heard of novelty lawyers? It's a shrewd practise of "law" in which any case, no matter how stupid is represented. Of course those cases can't be held, or won. But the publicity for the lawyer is real. Never heard of novelty lawyers? It’s a shrewd practise of “law” in which any case, no matter how stupid is represented. Of course those cases can’t be held, or won. But the publicity for the lawyer is real.

]]> By: Trent Baker http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282953 Trent Baker Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282953 Contracts made under duress are not binding. Contracts made under duress are not binding.

]]> By: Palomino http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282942 Palomino Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282942 I wonder what kind of contract he thought he had with the individual he murdered.  I wonder what kind of contract he thought he had with the individual he murdered. 

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282937 Stefan Jones Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282937 If this was a side-story in an episode of <I>Breaking Bad</I>, involving Saul the As Seen On TV lawyer, I'd think it was entertainingly absurd. If this was a side-story in an episode of Breaking Bad, involving Saul the As Seen On TV lawyer, I’d think it was entertainingly absurd.

]]> By: Davey http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282936 Davey Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282936 For a moment I thought I'd confused BB with The Onion and that this had to be a parody news article but nope...genuine. For a moment I thought I’d confused BB with The Onion and that this had to be a parody news article but nope…genuine.

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282935 marilove Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282935 I thought the same thing!  Isn't there something going on with a Scientology kidnapping that is very similar?  I SWEAR I read something about that today. OO!  Found it: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/11/valeska_paris_scientology_freewinds.php I thought the same thing!  Isn’t there something going on with a Scientology kidnapping that is very similar?  I SWEAR I read something about that today.

OO!  Found it:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/11/valeska_paris_scientology_freewinds.php

]]> By: querent http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282932 querent Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282932 I assumed this was going to be a scientology story. I assumed this was going to be a scientology story.

]]> By: tofagerl http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282926 tofagerl Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282926 My guess would be the judge got a chuckle out of it and wanted to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to hopefully get some more chuckles later. My guess would be the judge got a chuckle out of it and wanted to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to hopefully get some more chuckles later.

]]> By: Zero Sonico http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282924 Zero Sonico Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282924 Sounds like a case for Jim Carrey. Oh, Fletcher! Sounds like a case for Jim Carrey.

Oh, Fletcher!

]]> By: Hanglyman http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282922 Hanglyman Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282922 Whoops, missed that. Whoops, missed that.

]]> By: Dan Wallace http://boingboing.net/2011/11/29/kidnapper-sues-victims-who-esc.html#comment-1282917 Dan Wallace Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=132036#comment-1282917 He should have sued them for cruel and unusual punishment after having to sit through Robin Williams' Patch Adams.  He should have sued them for cruel and unusual punishment after having to sit through Robin Williams’ Patch Adams. 

]]>