It will be the second civil trial involving the June 22, 2006, death of Connor Freed, after the Court of Special Appeals ruled Monday that a county Circuit Court judge was wrong in 2007 when she prevented a jury from considering such evidence.
"This is a jury issue," said Andrew H. Baida, an appellate attorney representing Connor's parents, Thomas Freed and Debra Neagle Webber. "A jury should be allowed to decide to what extent (Connor) suffered conscious and emotional and physical harm prior...
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Erik J. - 2009-07-12 23:19:55
It has been a few years since I studied torts, but I don't think that the family friend had the same duty of care. The lifeguards are contractually obligated however to watch for these types of things. Also, there is a reasonable expectation that if the pool is staffed by life guards that they are going to do their jobs and watch out for these types of things. I am proud to say that no one ever died on my watch and that I once even saved a woman.
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William Cooke - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Erik J. - 2009-07-10 12:00:21
I agree with you Erik J., what about the person who was the one that took on the responsiblity of this little boy? Who lets a 5 year old go to the restroom in a public place like this alone anyhow? If not worrying about him drowning, how about pedophiles?
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Michelle B. - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Blame Who? - 2009-07-10 11:16:01
Any responsible parent/guardian knows you don't let a child by himself alone at a pool for a split second.The pool company is not all to blame! Seems the parents are always looking for publicity for themselves.They should stop blame game!
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Robert H. - , - Karma: Excellent
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Insensitive Remarks - 2009-07-10 10:28:58
You can tell by some of these comments that these individuals apparently are not parents and are only revealing their own corruptness to suggest that a five year old boy would have knowledge of gang symbols. And how does the appearance of a parent give a person the right to comment on the use of money in such a horrific case. Shame on you! I bet Connors Mom looks better than most when she has to push herself to get out of bed each morning knowing that she will not have another moment of seeing her beautiful Connor coming up to her for a hug and seeing his remarably beautiul eyes. I am dismayed by the insensitivty of those who feel it is ok to judge....have you walked in their shoes? Keep in mind that possibly someone you know could be saved by the tireless efforts the parents have donated to make sure pools are safe for everyone!
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Lynn A. - Maryland, MD - Karma: Neutral
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K.F. No Winnwers - 2009-07-10 08:33:36
"Drowning is a silent event that happens in the blink of an eye." Drowning does not happen in a blink of an eye. I am sure you can hold your breath more more than a blink. Somebody should have seen this Connor.
"This causes a great deal of pain and discomfort ... and this process lasts for a minute and a half to two minutes," he said.
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Jason E. - Centreville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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G Reich - 2009-07-09 19:55:12
Gang Symbols? What gang flashes the peace sign...PETA?
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Johnathan Locke - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Are you kidding???? - 2009-07-09 19:18:13
Jamie, that is the most thoughtless comment you could make. Debbie lost her son in a tragic accident. I've known her since junior high school and she looks just like she did then, just a little older and wiser, like all of us. Could if be that you're jealous that you don't/didn't look this great in your early 40's?!? Keep your petty, mean spirited comments to yourself. Furthermore, if you read the article, if clearly states that the money goes to the Connor Cares Foundation.
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L J. - Lakewood, CO - Karma: Neutral
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No Winners - 2009-07-09 17:39:01
This case is certainly a tragedy and who cannot help but feel the pain of the parents, the neighbor, and every young teen who sat on the lifeguard stand that day. Every one must play the game of "what if" in their head over and over again. "What if" we had not let our child who could not swim go to a swimming pool without our direct supervision, "What if" I had accompanied the child in to the bathroom and waited for him to finish, "What if" I had seen the child struggle for a split second before he slipped silently under the water. This was an accident, a horrible accident. Drowning is a silent event that happens in the blink of an eye. Let us never lose our respect for the quick death that water can bring to even the most experienced swimmers, but especially to the young child - swimmer or non swimmer. How much money heals the wound?
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K F - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Good
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DRD - 2009-07-09 16:39:40
I used to work for DRD, years ago, as a life guard. It is a great company that does its best to prevent things like this from happening. I am sad to read this.
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William Cooke - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Just wondering - 2009-07-09 16:10:59
Did the parents also sue the family friend that was supposed to be watching the boy? He took off the life jacket, and then lost track of this 5 year old child long enough that he not only finished using the bathroom, but got back into the water and was in there long enough to drown. Sounds extremely negligent to me. I understand accidents happen, but if the parents want to hold the pool liable for not seeing and protecting their son, shouldn't they hold their friend to the same standard?
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Erik J. - , - Karma: Good
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Brought up the right way. - 2009-07-09 14:35:39
Nice to see a five-year-old flashing gang symbols.
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G. Reich - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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What will the money be used for? - 2009-07-09 14:01:47
Looks like somebody has had WAY TOO much plastic surgery. I sure hope this is not what the money from the lawsuit will be used for. Quit why you are a head babe.
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Jamie H. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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