Arizona: 7,5 years in prison for driving in the wrong direction

[JLa]

Based upon several Norwegian news articles and a forum post at "somethingawful.com":

John Kristoffer Larsgard (33), originally from Norway, was arrested in Arizona last September after driving in the wrong direction in a one way street. He was caught in a crowd of people and hit in the face by a passerby, and tried to escape the scene in his car, causing minor injuries before being arrested. Since then he has been kept in an isolated cell in Navajo County Jail, awaiting his trial. He was considered one of the most dangerous inmates. In march he was found guilty of six counts of aggravated assault, and faced a sentence of up to 35 years in prison. During his sentencing Tuesday night (Norwegian time, I think) he was kept in handcuffs, his request to have them removed so he could take notes was denied. He was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.8098661
(All in norwegian.)

Translation of the last part of the first article:

It was on the 24th of september last year the 33-year-old and his mother were driving on Interstate 40 through the Arizona desert. Just before Winslow, a light started flashing. But for the mother, who was driving, something went wrong, and she drove the car right into the central reserve at the exit to Winslow.

The two obtained a rental car, but when they came back to Winslow to pick up their luggage in the wrecked car, the nightmare started. Larsgard drove against the one-way street. It was full of people because of a music festival in town. Many reacted to Larsgard driving in the wrong direction.

It was noisy, and Larsgard received a punch to the face that broke his nose. Then he drove away quickly. The court found that he had tried to hurt people on purpose when he fled. He claims that he tried to get away.

The 29th March he was found guilty of aggravated assault - attempted grievous bodily harm with the use of a deadly weapon - against six Americans.

Norway's honorary consul in Phoenix since 2005, economics professor George Olanders at the State University Of Arizona, calls the case against Larsgard insane.

"The whole thing is a disgrace to the United States. He should get a fine or similar reckless driving.", said Oland.

He is shocked that Larsgard was found guilty.

"There is no evidence, even likelyhood, that Larsgard had tried to hurt or kill someone in Winslow. The case is completely mad. Having been present during part of the trial, I am shocked that he was convicted", said Oland.

...wut?

I wasn't there, but seriously. Wut?

Original forum post @somethingawful:
https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3481066&pagenumber=1

[Dellers]

Horrible case. Made me lose the last respect I had for the US. Not all Americans are like that, but the society as a whole seems to be just cruel. Always obsessed with revenge, even when there is nothing to avenge. Sorry, but my respect is long gone. Also it's ironic how the US try to be the world police, when their police is corrupt or insane (depending on the case).

[Super Dude]

Horrible case. Made me lose the last respect I had for the US. Not all Americans are like that, but the society as a whole seems to be just cruel. Always obsessed with revenge, even when there is nothing to avenge. Sorry, but my respect is long gone. Also it's ironic how the US try to be the world police, when their police is corrupt or insane (depending on the case).

Sadder still that many Americans would agree with you. Including myself.

[El Barto]

I think I'll reserve comment until I see some real news articles on the event in question.  As of right now, there's nothing except blogs and forum posts.

In a more general sense, as a white American, there are a dozen or so countries that I'd stay out of.  The best way to not get beheaded in Afghanistan is to stay the hell out of Afghanistan.  If I were a foreigner, I can think of several states that I'd stay the hell out of, and Arizona tops the list.  It's a pretty even mix of weird, insane and just plain corrupt. 

In fact, if I were a Scandinavian, I don't think there's any part of America I'd want to visit, honestly. 

[rumborak]

Have to say, yeah, while I would visit any of the states, there's a long laundry list of states I wouldn't live in. In fact, I keep my list the other way around, i.e. cities I could imagine living in. Currently, in order:

- Boston (duh)
- San Fran
- Chicago
- Seattle

Regarding the article, I too reserve judgment until a major newspaper picks it up. It sounds a bit too wild to be true.

rumborak

[Scheavo]

In fact, if I were a Scandinavian, I don't think there's any part of America I'd want to visit, honestly.

If I lived in Texas, I might think this as well.

[Super Dude]

Have to say, yeah, while I would visit any of the states, there's a long laundry list of states I wouldn't live in. In fact, I keep my list the other way around, i.e. cities I could imagine living in. Currently, in order:

- Boston (duh)
- San Fran
- Chicago
- Seattle

Regarding the article, I too reserve judgment until a major newspaper picks it up. It sounds a bit too wild to be true.

rumborak

 

[El Barto]

In fact, if I were a Scandinavian, I don't think there's any part of America I'd want to visit, honestly.

If I lived in Texas, I might think this as well.

On the contrary, Texans are so freaking courteous that it'd probably one of the places I would recommend (not that there's anything worth visiting here, aside form a few restaurants).  If you're not Mexican and don't do anything to warrant getting arrested, I'd say foreigners are pretty damned safe here.  Your average Texan will be bemused as hell at weird people from non-Texas, but would go out of their way to be hospitable.  That's the one thing we have going for us down here.

[yeshaberto]

absolutely this ^^^^

[Scheavo]

In fact, if I were a Scandinavian, I don't think there's any part of America I'd want to visit, honestly.

If I lived in Texas, I might think this as well.

On the contrary, Texans are so freaking courteous that it'd probably one of the places I would recommend (not that there's anything worth visiting here, aside form a few restaurants).  If you're not Mexican and don't do anything to warrant getting arrested, I'd say foreigners are pretty damned safe here.  Your average Texan will be bemused as hell at weird people from non-Texas, but would go out of their way to be hospitable.  That's the one thing we have going for us down here.

I wasn't commenting on the people, I was commenting on the scenery. Unless your rich and want to hit up some awesome strip clubs, I haven't heard of anything worth visiting in the state.

[El Barto]

In fact, if I were a Scandinavian, I don't think there's any part of America I'd want to visit, honestly.

If I lived in Texas, I might think this as well.

On the contrary, Texans are so freaking courteous that it'd probably one of the places I would recommend (not that there's anything worth visiting here, aside form a few restaurants).  If you're not Mexican and don't do anything to warrant getting arrested, I'd say foreigners are pretty damned safe here.  Your average Texan will be bemused as hell at weird people from non-Texas, but would go out of their way to be hospitable.  That's the one thing we have going for us down here.

I wasn't commenting on the people, I was commenting on the scenery. Unless your rich and want to hit up some awesome strip clubs, I haven't heard of anything worth visiting in the state.

Yeah, that's about right.  However, I've been to plenty of places in this continent, and I'm not sure what I'd recommend to a European who wanted to come see the country.  There are places of genuine beauty over here, but the same can be said of Europe.  There's little culture, and compared to a thousand years of civilization over there, pretty much none.  There's crabby attitudes from most of the citizenry.  There's a chance of getting shot by cops or robbers.  I just don't see where there's much appeal. 

I'd say that America is a wonderful place for Americans.  We seem to have really worked things out nicely for ourselves.  Alas, I think most Americans suck, and their idea of perfection doesn't suit me too well.  I have to assume that to your average Swede, it's even worse.

[Super Dude]

I would definitely vouch for Chicago and Boston, and I hear California can be nice.

[rumborak]

EB, in my personal opinion North America runs circles around Europe in terms of nature.

rumborak

[Scheavo]

Hell, Alaska alone is like the size of Europe, and it's pretty much a huge nature reserve.

[Dark Castle]

A lot of people say South Dakota is just a big flat square with nothing but grass.  People who say that are so fricking wrong.  There's a ton of beautiful scenery here.

[eric42434224]

Vermont and Upstate New York are beautiful.

[Ravenheart]

I live in this state. Yeeeeeehawww!!!!!

[senecadawg2]

While we are all gushing about scenery in the United States, there are some beautiful places out west in Colorado and Utah. Also, upstate NY is really nice as well. Pertaining to the news... I'll believe it when I see something concrete, but if true, it is horrifying.

[MasterShakezula]

I would definitely vouch for Chicago and Boston, and I hear California can be nice.

Southern California is good, in terms of scenery/places to go. 

Being in a public place here blows, though, because there's a high asshole/moron count, though I imagine that's just an Americans-in-general-thing. 

Go to, like, a national park, though, and you'll have the best day. 

Wouldn't vouch for living here, though, unless you're a wealthy conservative looking for a place to settle down and raise your kids. 

[jammindude]

I visited San Antonio...I *freakin LOVE* that place.   My wife and I dream of moving to the hill country about an hour NW of there....but finding work is an issue with what I do...making a livable wage even more so.   

[yeshaberto]

we built a house out in Boerne...love that area

[Super Dude]

Vermont and Upstate New York are beautiful.

Oh yeah, almost forgot about those guys. Especially the mountains by the Van Trappe Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. You really see how they came to the idea of "the hills are alive with the sound of music."

[ddtonfire]

See, folks? America really isn't as bad as the internet makes it out to be!

[Super Dude]

Nope, just the people are.

[j]

In fact, if I were a Scandinavian, I don't think there's any part of America I'd want to visit, honestly.

If I lived in Texas, I might think this as well.

On the contrary, Texans are so freaking courteous that it'd probably one of the places I would recommend (not that there's anything worth visiting here, aside form a few restaurants).  If you're not Mexican and don't do anything to warrant getting arrested, I'd say foreigners are pretty damned safe here.  Your average Texan will be bemused as hell at weird people from non-Texas, but would go out of their way to be hospitable.  That's the one thing we have going for us down here.

I wasn't commenting on the people, I was commenting on the scenery. Unless your rich and want to hit up some awesome strip clubs, I haven't heard of anything worth visiting in the state.

Yeah, that's about right.

Actually the Austin area "hill country" has some really nice scenery.

But I mostly agree, although I do like Texas.

-J

[ddtonfire]

Nope, just the people are.

YES, all 300 million of us!

[Super Dude]

Yes we are.

[lonestar]

Have to say, yeah, while I would visit any of the states, there's a long laundry list of states I wouldn't live in. In fact, I keep my list the other way around, i.e. cities I could imagine living in. Currently, in order:

- Boston (duh)
- San Fran
- Chicago
- Seattle

Regarding the article, I too reserve judgment until a major newspaper picks it up. It sounds a bit too wild to be true.

rumborak

You have good taste my man.

I think every country has their good and bad, just like every person has an asshole.

As to the topic, seems like a big WTF to me, and hopefully will be rectified, but as Barto said, I'll hold final judgement till I hear all the details.

[rumborak]

EDIT: Nevermind, read the article wrong.

rumborak

[Odysseus]

Nope, just the people are.

A fellow cynic! 

Seriously, Britain is no picnic either... 

[Super Dude]

Outside of London, perhaps? Because when I was there in the city, it was fine, we had no problems.

[JLa]

This seems like some sort of news agency ..?

https://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/04/25/20120425winslow-wrong-turn-prison-norwegian-man.html

After reading the whole thing, I can't help but thinking 7.5 years is waaaay too harsh. A big, juicy fine for reckless driving? Indeed. But 7.5 years in prison for this? No way.

[ehra]

Yes you are.

Fixed to show what you're really thinking.

[El Barto]

I can't believe that kid didn't get shot. 

[snapple]

Barto, my mom moved to Texas. She has echoed that the people are incredibly hospitable. They know where she works that her family is in Michigan. They take her out and do things. Even so much as "forcing her" to go out when she doesn't feel like it.