The Good Samaritan Question: What would YOU do if you saw a person being murdered on the street?

1. How would you feel?
2. What would you say?
3. What actions would you take in that very moment to try and stop it from happening, if any? (Not everyone is a Good Samaritan and sometimes it is NOT advisable to put yourself in danger)
4. If you were not able to help at that moment, would you find any satisfaction in knowing that the person doing the killing would be condemned by society and would most likely get their due punishment from the law, giving some consolation and a feeling of justice to you and to others?
5. Would you feel somewhat protected knowing that legal punishment would also increase the chances that the person would not be free among our society to do it again to someone else?
Additional Details
ANALYSIS (MY PERSONAL OPINION ABOUT THE ANSWERS TO MY QUESTION)
1. How would you feel? The large majority of answers say something to the effect of “scared” or “horrified”. Do you wonder why you’d be scared, even if you were a safe distance away? It is because we, as human beings, don’t respond well to seeing another human being murdered. Part of our fear, but only one part, is that the wrath of the murderer will eventually be turned on us. Keep that in mind when speaking to a pro-life person. They, in good faith, truly believe that abortion is murder, and feel fear and horror when thinking about it. After all, if it’s ok today to murder an unborn human being, is it so far-fetched to conclude that someday it will be socially acceptable to murder YOU? And if that day comes, consider the additional horror of knowing that it’s not even remotely possible that anyone is coming to your defense.

Sukotash

1. the word mortified comes to mind
2. if anything, probably curse words
3. depending on the situation, without putting myself in a position to be killed, I would look for a weapon of some sort and try and beat them off. if not, call immediately for the police and give a good description, follow the killer if possible to give location.
4. satisfaction? not much. too many get away with it, and america is apathetic from too much violence numbing our sensitivities
5. feel protected? no, too many get off, or get out too soon. I would live in fear of retaliation for squealing.
I would only "feel better" if you could call it that, if the person were shot dead by the police. then I would KNOW they could never do it again

kja63

I would snap pictures with my cell phone while dialing 911 and reporting the location of the crime to the cops. Then I would scream at the perp to stop! I would keep sufficient distance and cover to protect myself, but I would keep yelling at the top of my lungs until help arrived.

Thanks for the Yahoo Jacket

I would call 911 on my cell phone and keep on trucking.

Coach

call 911 and get to a safe place, my children and family need me and i will not put myself in danger.

akaANNIE

I would get on my cell and call the police. If I thought I could do it safely, I would try to destract the murderer by blowing my horn, or calling for help. I would not just go by without doing something.

Becky F

try to call police by getting to a phone ( I DO NOT HAVE A CELL PHONE SO GETTING TO A PHONE MAYBE HARD),if i am in a car maybe even try to hit the person who is doing the murder hard enough to hurt but not kill them till help arrived

Remember YOU Ask!

Pull out the old 44Mag take carefull aim and waste the killer. Its so great living in USA.

maryelbaum@sbcglobal.net

first, I would call 911, then I would go jump on the guy or girl and try to get them to stop

sophisticated lady

1. i would definitely be shocked and traumatized.
2. i would probably say "oh my god" and cry.
3. i would call for help.
4. depends on the people and why they did it. if they killed someone just because, then the murderer deserves to be punished of course.
5. yeah

una g

1.shocked
2.probably wouldn't be able to speak
3.find some people to help/call police
4.not really - it does not bring back the victim. murder continues despite all the laws
5. no - there are many legal loopholes that enable criminals to go free. and even if you lock up one, there are still many out there who have not been caught or will at some point commit murder.

U can't b serious

I would be scared S*****ss & haul @zz. Then call 911 from a safe distance, as should all without a death wish.

As for the post about Good Sam laws. That has to do with rendering aid in the case of an injured person. It says basically that if rendering aid in good faith, reguardless of your level of training, you can not be held liable for any further harm. It has nothing to do with this question.

Trust me Margaret, this I know as fact. I am a Paramedic.

Nuff said. Now give me my thumbs down.

MALIBU93

This is awfully silly. I don't think a 'good Samaritan" extends to stopping a murder.
My son (an attorney) was one of many who actually witnessed a murder in front of his office building about 2 months ago (was on the news). The perp stabbed his ex-wife as she was entering the building, she fell, and people stopped to help her (not being aware of what happened). while they where attempting to help, he came back and stabbed her repeatedly. This all was in the space of around 20 seconds. People then chased him and wrestled him to the ground.
All of your numbered points are worthless. Violence occurs too quickly and is too intense an experience to allow anything other than reaction. All the things you're asking can only occur later, in retrospect.

ggraves1724

Most states I am aware of have a good Samaritan law, that being said, you need to be a Samaritan. That is: Someone who believes in the law and the spirit of the law.
Unfortunately, there are many who would rather look the other way more than help when they see the crime of murder in progress or being performed.

The reason I added the above to my answer is to illustrate that there has to be a mind set in order for a person to be a good Samaritan. You can't just think of what you would do! If you have a rock solid value system and instantly know you would say something if faced with a right or wrong situation you probably wouldn't hesitate to do what needed to be done in the situation you describe.

I would like to think I would instantly get involved immediately if I were witnessing a murder however, on the heels of saying that: Does the perpetrator of the crime know I am watching? Can I out wrestle the person? Does the murder have a gun? Would it be better to wait and call the authorities?

There are so many answers and none are exactly correct. Bottom line, I would do what I thought was the most decent and correct thing to do with out getting killed myself!

Bob G

I'd have to get into it. As humans we have an obligation to our fellow man and if we can help them we must do so in such a situation. It depends on numbers and such how I would respond but I would definately take some sort of action.

Anybody who would just drive or walk on is pathetic and doesn't deserve the protections of our society. There can be no solace after allowing another person to be murdered without action.

flavorlicious

knowing myself i would go over there with a lead pipe and bash person over head if and only if i know its an innocent victim ...if its a gang thing i would let it go ... in an alley ... im out of there! Fu ck thinking in that particular moment its the "fight or flight" syndrome

Zoe

What's with the pro-life undertones? If a PERSON was being murdered, I would call 9-1-1.

If some guy was just stomping on a little bit of cellular gunk, well, I can't stay I would react very strongly either way.

PapiCulo

here's a how a ultra liberal would answer..
There's not enough information to answer the question!

Does the man look poor? Or oppressed?

Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?

Could we run away?

What does my wife think?

What about the kids?

Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?

What does the law say about this situation?

Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?

Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?

Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?

Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?

If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?

Should I call 9-1-1?

Why is this street so deserted?

We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day, and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.

This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for few days and try to come to a consensus.

valueablegirl435

I would get a camera that has no flashes, and take pics n then dail 911. I would feel sad 4 the person because I wouldn't kno if the person really deserved wat they were gettin

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