Our Views: Bullet in the heart

The Island Now

‘A bullet in the heart’

The sentencing of Joseph Beer last week in Nassau County Court brought a heartbreaking conclusion to a tragedy that has ripped apart the lives of five families.

In July Beer pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide. He was the sole survivor of a crash on the Southern State Parkway on Oct. 8, 2012 in which four of his close friends were killed. 

Last week Nassau County Judge David Sullivan sentenced Beer to 5-15 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole in three years.

The judge rejected a motion to sentence Beer as a youthful offender, which would have reduced the maximum sentence to four years. 

Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice opposed the youthful offender option. 

Through a spokesperson she said: “If you are old enough to drive, you are old enough to bear the criminal consequences of the decisions that you make.”

That’s a message that we hope will be heard throughout Nassau County.

In a heart-wrenching testimony at the sentencing, Sharon Rajapa, the mother of victim Neal Rajapa, said, “I never knew what a bullet feels like, but on Oct. 8 I knew when a bullet hit my heart.

“I don’t think he’s sorry. . . . But I have to forgive him to move on,” she said.

In a written statement that sounded scripted by his lawyers, Beer told the court: “I know these words will be of little if any consolation to all the pain and grief that I have caused you. But hopefully they can help me cope with the unbearable guilt and shame that I feel. I know there is a lot of anger and animosity in this room. All of it is warranted. For I have committed a horrendous crime. I am responsible for the deaths of four young men.

“I know I can never begin to comprehend all the pain and suffering which resulted from my irresponsibility and thoughtless actions. I do know that the emotional anguish must be unbearable at times. For I too mourn the loss of my friends. I too hate myself for what I’ve done.”

Yadda yadda yadda.

Like the judge, we can only hope that Beer’s repentance is sincere.

Finally there is a painful point that is seldom raised in a tragedy like this: If the four young men who died in the crash had been smoking pot and partying with Beer before he got behind the wheel or if they just knew that he was high, they bear part of the responsibility for this accident.

We have no desire to add to the pain that these families are going through but this is also a message that should be heard.

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