Tragedy is tragic, indeed. It's an important lesson we all learn and this is a great expression of it.<p>Why a family decided to take their tragedy to a courtroom to force it upon others makes me upset though. And what this has to do with technology or startups is definitely beyond me. This should be on the fron page of Reddit, but HN? Why?
Whew, heartbreaking.<p>But like that great Indian liberator once quipped: "Life is dhukka". Let us liberate ourselves from the clinginess of existence.<p>I am not one to advocate open and public emotional outpourings, although I contradict this view when I write poems which I then send to my closest friends ... I'm ok with this contradiction, I'm not neurotic. ;-) However, one can see why it is totally legitimate for Anthony Griffith to do so. He is in his own words a clown. And his entire point was that a clown can sometimes ... should sometimes ... make you cry.<p>I tip my hat to this brave man. I would have a beer with this man any time!
How can you tell that story and not conclude with the result of the trial?<p>It's so well written, despite all the terror of the words, you can still almost imagine Jeff as one of 12, arguing against 'verdict for the plaintiff'.
People buy into the idea that the world is just, that everything happens for a reason (just-world fallacy). But sometimes bad things happen, for no reason, sometimes asshats win.
I watched the Anthony Griffiths movie he referred to a while ago and it is heartbreaking. I'm normally a very reserved person who's partner is convinced my tear ducts dried up from lack of use years ago, but watching Anthony tell his story is like a punch in the guts. I didn't enjoy watching it, but I'm glad I did. It sure puts things in perspective.
The linked video of Anthony Griffith talking about his daughter dying of cancer whilst trying to support his family through the business of making people laugh is quite possibly the most heart wrenching thing I have ever seen in my life.<p>It reminds of the clown. That disturbing painted fake smile. No wonder they still freak me out.
My 7 days of sequestration with 11 other people and a bailiff arguing a difficult case were the worst 7 days of my life, and my case wasn't as heart wrenching as Jeff's. First world problem, but it's not an experience I would wish on any one.
I was just stunned by the first comment by Matt<p>"Only thing I can write is "I should have heeded to your warning"".<p>How can someone have such bad taste.
A slightly strange conclusion. You don't need to blame somebody or something to grieve. I understand the point of blame in the court case, but the author is talking about 'somebody <i>must</i> be to blame [for this loss in the prime of life]'. Blaming someone can make grieving easier, but that doesn't mean that there <i>has</i> to be blame.