Colin Martinez father speaks at Carter Eslick sentencing
by Giantkebab: CBS
Carter Eslick, the fraternity leader at Northern Arizona University, got sentenced to 60 days in jail plus three years of probation after a conviction tied to the death of pledge Colin Martinez. The 18-year-old died from alcohol poisoning during an initiation event at a house party back in March. Earlier this year, Martinez's father spoke in court about what it takes to act when fear, self-protection, group loyalty, or convenience tempt us to do nothing instead of helping someone who desperately needs us. He said he uses the word courage because that is exactly what is required in those moments. CBS covered the sentencing hearing where the father addressed the verdict. #CBS
Transcript (en)
There were choices made that night. There were opportunities to protect Colin, and when Colin became incapable of protecting himself, he was dependent upon other human beings that had the courage to protect him. And that courage was not there. That's a word that's become very important to me since losing my son. Courage. I use this word courage because that's what's required with fear, self-protection group loyalty or convenience tempt us to inaction instead of doing what another human being desperately needs us to do what my son needed that night courage that night would have meant stopping what was happening courage would have meant recognizing that a fraternity ritual was never more important than human life courage would have meant responding with urgency when Colin can no longer respond for himself instead our only son paid the ultimate price and we will pay for it for the rest of our lives
