Should the Dj's face Criminal Charges?

People called into the radio station and warned them that water poisoning was possible and the DJ's and interns and everyone else didn't take the warnings seriously. They were joking around asking if anyone had died yet. They let this woman die. They had plenty of opportunities to call 911 and get someone to her aid..but they did not. They are responsible for her death..regardless of whether or not they signed a paper saying the radio station/dj's/etc werent.

Yes, the radiostation & all involved personeel should be charged with criminal murder charges because although she drank the water they continued to serve her. Bars (some of them at least) are required to not let an overly intoxicated continue drinking and to not let them out driving (they must drive them home).

Plus, she complained of head pain before leaving to the radiostation people & they ignored her - which is neglect because they knew this was a dangerous "game" they were playing.

Water intoxication deluted the concentration of blood. Lowreing the consentration of sodium, which can cause swelling of the brain, which can (and in this case DID) lead to this persons death.

No she made the choice no-one forced her to do such a stupid and dangerous thing.

Regardless of the fact that they had the participants sign a release, they are responsible for their actions.

I heard about this story a few days ago but I didn't realize that they had been joking about it right before it happened. Even though a paper was signed, I still think that the family should be able to sue. This was a very stupid stunt... and the way the dj's acted about it beforehand... I'm glad that they were fired and the show pulled from the air. Maybe the people had a choice to do the contest..so what? They didn't really think that they would die over it. The DJ's probably didn't think anyone would die over it either but they still joked about it and stuff, eck, very poor taste. I hope that they feel guility now.

I am disheartened by this death. Yes, she did sign a release, but in California, if someone is negligent, it doesn't matter what was signed. And, if the radio station had knowledge that this was indeed a dangerous or life threatening thing to do, and they went on with it anyway, then they might be considered negligent. We'll find out when it goes to court. And, it will go to court. I'm sure the DA is checking that out right now.

I feel sad for the DJs because I have my own favorite morning show that does bonehead things. I just hope they think twice before doing things like this.

I think even with a waiver the family should be allowed to sue. It is a disgrace that the Djs thought this was all fun & games. The jokes they made were in poor taste. I really hope the djs are feeling terrible about all of this.

My initial reaction on hearing the story was that they shouldn't be held responsible (I had never heard of water intoxication prior to this and assumed maybe they hadn't either), but after reading your post I definitely think charges should be laid against them and the radio station. If they knew the dangers going in then they have to be held responsible.

Absolutely not...No criminal charges are justified. I feel bad for Mrs. Strange, but she could've bailed out when she realized she wasn't feeling well. No one made her stay until the end. No one made her participate in the contest. I thin the firings are punishment enough for the station, though I imagine Etnercom will pay some sort of settlement before the wrongful death case gets to court.
One of my favorite radio shows, The Opie and anthony Show, does an egg-nog drinking contest every year. The object of the contest is to drink one double-shot of egg nog per minute. Once you throw up, you're out. The person to drink the most double shots and either not throw up, or throw up last, wins some sort of prize...Usually cash, or some new piece of technology such as a video game system, satellite radio, or MP3 player.
I bring up this contest not to gross people out, but to make a point. The winner two out of the three years is a 9-toed, overweight diabetic man who goes by the name Pat from Moonachie. Pat is also a competitive eater who has participated in events such as the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4Th of July. As a diabetic, Pat knows that Egg Nog isn't a good thing for him to consume, and that drinking 70+ double shots is probably not a smart idea. But, using his own free will, he participates in this contest every year. Granted, he hasn't died yet, nor gone into a diabetic coma or anything like that, though the possibility is always there. At the same time, if he ever DOES suffer some negative consequences, O&A should in NO WAY be held responsible for his actions. Yes, they, and their parent companies of CBS Radio and XM Satellite Radio sponsor and approve the contest...But Pat and other contestants make their own choice to participate.

If Jennifer Strange had been a minor participating, I could see holding the station/Entercom responsible. But as she is an adult and chose to participate, and chose not to exit once the headache started, the station and its owners, and the DJs themselves, should not be held responsible.

On the same token, I doubt you'll see any program directors or GM's allowing this type of contest again.

If criminal charges are brought, it'll be a sad day for the broadcast industry and the country in general. At the same time, I could see a civil settlement from Entercom to the family.

This is not legal advice but: a release would only protect them from civil liabilty (what everyone knows as a lawsuit). Criminal charges cannot be protected from release since it the state (who did not sign the release) bringing the charges, not the person. Also, a person cannot protect themselves from breaking the law by getting a release -- in most cases. Obviously, if I gave you permission to break a window and go into my house to get my keys I locked inside, that would be okay. But, we are talking about someone dying here.

A COP, no less, in DC died last year of water intoxication. Most people don't realize it can happen, so if she was feeling sick, she might not have realized she needed to seek medical attention. However, if the station knew the danger, ignored it, it might be a criminal matter. The civil suit by the family (wrongful death suit) would turn on whether or not the release was signed based on informed consent.

This is going to be interesting to see how all the legal issues play out. But, sadly, it won't bring Jennifer back to her children.