When we entered the era of social media not all that long ago, did we also enter an era of different ethical behavior? The following story is one of those “Maybe Yes and Maybe No” moments.
The case concerns a 22 year old man who, on June 22, 2013, was out drinking with his friends at a local bar. He drank so much, he was on the verge of “blacking out,” when he got into his vehicle, put the key in the ignition and drove off into the night. Unfortunately, he was so drunk he entered a highway in the wrong direction and slammed into another vehicle. He killed the other driver, a 61 year old man who was obviously in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The police suspected the 22 year old, but had no solid evidence.
The young man did not initially turn himself in for committing the crime and in fact he initially met with attorneys who reportedly advised him that they could get his blood test thrown out if he “lied about what happened.” Apparently, a blood test was not taken at the scene, but at a later time.
It would not be until early September 2013, when a video appeared on a drunken driving website, where Matthew Cordle admitted to his crime. The video has since gone viral on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmpK_EshSL4
In the video, Matthew Cordle stated:
“If I took a different route (meaning a different legal route), maybe I would get a reduced sentence and maybe I would get off. But I won’t dishonor Vincent’s memory by lying about what happened.”
Mr. Cordle apparently got a different attorney who publicly stated:
“This video he released demonstrates his character, bravery and integrity, and I know he fully intends to cooperate with law enforcement and Franklin County prosecutors throughout the course of any future criminal proceedings.”
For the sake of this discussion, Matthew Cordle also admitted to fighting depression.
Where Will We Go from Here?
Of course, the police have charged him with DWI and homicide – as well they should. And, as might be expected, the family of the man who was killed is not as gushing with praise for Cordle’s admission as Cordle’s lawyer. Who, on this earth, could blame them for their anger?
It is all well and good that the drunk driver expressed his regrets on a drunken driving website more than two months after the fact. Whether it is a sincere apology or whether he was self-medicating his depression are hardly issues we can adequately discuss. For the sake of being a nice guy, I will say his online apology was sincere. For the sake of casting a vote in favor of those who suffer from true depression, I will say that I suppose it is possible he used alcohol to try to chase away his anguish.
But to both allowances, to the ethical considerations, I will now say, “So what?”
“We,” meaning parents, teachers, mentors and professionals have been warning about the social media for quite some time. We see children – and many adults – losing their sense of empathy and their connectivity to other human beings by believing the social media is a substitute for most human interaction.
I will allow the young man in question did the right thing by confessing to drinking, driving and killing another human being. I will not condone the order in which he did it.
I will accept as true that in confessing on a video on a drunken driving website, Matthew Cordle almost felt as though he exonerated himself from the act of destroying another life. I tend to believe that he felt relief at his confession as though the internet would condone him.
Far better, the day after the accident, he had walked into the police station with a relative, friend, lawyer or clergy person and said, “I am guilty. I committed an unintentional, but terrible crime.”
In that act, I would have had a great deal more respect for him.
Yes it is a matter of ethics
Alcoholism and depression aside, the young man had to live up to the consequences of his actions in a real and not a virtual sense. I will not get into any of the legal advice he initially received or the legal mumbo-jumbo of his lawyer calling him “brave.” I have known far too many brave men and women who simply do the right thing each day of their lives.
I could care less if someone confesses to drunk driving and vehicular homicide on Facebook, YouTube or Twitter. It is irrelevant to me. What is relevant is doing the right thing. No layering of social media can erase simple ethical truths.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!
Chuck, thought you might like an update to your post. I just saw on television that this guy marched into a courtroom yesterday and to everyone’s surprise pleaded “not guilty!” The judge was furious. This story continues I guess.