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Originally Posted by Roscoe
Not only were the charges dropped but the judge found him 'innocent'.
There is a big difference between just having charges dropped and being claimed innocent.
Roscoe
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Absolutely. Charges may dropped because of insufficient evidence. But a declaration of innocence (as in this case) is an acknowledgement of evidence of no wrong doing. I imagine Sharratt was a bit nervous until the outcome. Being innocent is no guarantee of getting off.
But some individuals in his squad may yet be charged and even found guilty.
A few years ago my Conductor and a Utility Man that was helping him, almost backed me and my 80 car train into an Amtrak, by radio direction. Had they done so, and people became injured, I probably would have gone down with them as an "example". We were all initially charged as is normal regarding procedure involving the whole train crew. As it was, I was absolved of any responsibilty after a couple of weeks because I had strictly followed the radio rules.
It was a long wait though. The top corporate CEO personally called the local administration the next day to see WTF. Several engineers that heard the radio conversation reassured me that none of them would ever willingly back a train by radio again if I took the burn. But still, it causes that knot in the stomach until a man knows for sure. So I feel for Sharratt. And any others that maybe slipped up in the heat of the moment. S happens.
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