BREAKING NEWS: Trooper not guilty

Thank God for common sense jurors! My prayers have been answered with their Not Guilty Verdict. This was clearly a horrendous accident that will be will each of these families the rest of their lives-that is punishment enough for anyone.......A guilty verdict would not bring the girl's back and while the sympathy for their loss is very deep, destroying Trooper Higbee's life even more would not have served any purpose.

The right decision was made. The Criminal Justice System put Trooper Robert Higbee and his family through hell for what should have been, just a Civil Suit.

I do feel sorry for the family of the two girls that lost their lives that night, but there was no aggravating factors and no intent.

Hopefully now both families will be able to put some closure to this tragedy and begin the healing process.

Good luck Rob and keep your head up...

Thank goodness the jury used their heads and their hearts. The right outcome for a very sad situation. Thank you to the jury for doing the right thing.

INNOCENT! God bless both families, was a traggic incident.

Obviously although a very sad situation, of the lost lives of the 2 young ladies. I think justice was served. This trooper will have to live with his actions. It was a terrible accident. Higbee will lose his job and should never wear a badge again. My sympathy to the families involved.

Thank you to the jurors!! The right decision was made. May they all live the rest of their lives in peace.

All I can say is, YES! Thank God the jury worked this case through to the end.

I feel for the trooper he was just doing his job what if the speeder was a felon or child killer you never know when you go after someone you get tunnel vision and just focus on the person not your surrounding I am truly sorry for the young girls family on the troopers behalf I wish in la we had 10 more troopers like hogs. Thank you very much craig cornell

I hope the law changes regarding pursuits...the trooper's lights should have been flashing!!!! I do think if I went through that stop sign and killed two people I would be in jail.

Sad commentary on american justice!!! Kill 2 young kids, and walk away free because your a cop. It's no wonder they act like they do, we continue to let them get away with anything they do. Do not kid yourself, if you or i were driving over twice the speed limit, ran a stop sign, and killed two people we would go to prison. At least there mother has already a settlement of 2 mil from the state of NJ, maybe she can do something with some of the money to see that the next cop does not get away with a crime like this!!!

There is a God! If they had found him guilty, than everyone who drives is guilty. Without speeders there would be no chase. My condolences to the family, it is a tremendous loss. My very best to the Higbee family, they will never forget this accident as long as they live. God will grant them all the comfort needed to live life each and everyday. Thank you!

i really think justice was served. this would be the only verdict that would be correct. now the trooper has to live with this the rest of his life. its now time for healing and forgiveness and i hope trooper higbee can forgive himself.

The jury got this verdict correct.

I thank God and the jurors... and hope that both families can go on with thier lives and grant Trooper Higbee the strength to go on everyday.
I have watched this everyday since it startd and prayed every night for the trooper.

Judy in Pa.

I think the jurors got the verdict right. It appeared that even Christina and Jacqueline's mother agreed with the verdict. I know he has learned many things from this tragic accident but a guilty conviction would not have brought either girl back so I believe justice has been served. I pray that both families can now begin to heal.

I am so relied, Trooper Higbee was found "not guilty". From the begining I have felt this trial was a waste of tax payers dollars & the jurors time. This was never a criminal act on behalf of Trooper Higbee. This was always a very unfortunate, tragic accident. If anyone was to be responsable, for this tragic accident. It should have been the speeder. For had he not been breaking the law,Trooper Higbee would not have been in pursiut of him. Therefore the victims, two beautiful young ladies would still be alive.

Thank you Jesus!

Congratulations to the Jury. They made the right decision. It's nice to see the system work properly the odd time. I feel for the Mother but I am sure she also see it from the Troopers side of things. It appears so anyway. good job.

Hallelujah! I still believe in the jury system..the ramifications of this verdict on each individual who depend on the law enforcement personnel to protect us cannot be measured!

This was the correct decision for the trooper. He will live with this for the rest of his life.

I'm glad they found him innocent I just couldn't believe he did it on propose he is human and we all make mistakes just a bad thing happen. I'm very sorry for the family and my heart goes out to them i know how it feels to lose a child.

Thank goodness, a horrific accident, but not a criminal act. Thank goodness there was a smart Jury.

God bless the jury for making the right and only decision. May the Becker sisters rest in peace. And may Trooper Higbee and the family of the Beckers return to a somewhat peaceful life. This will not change the event of that night but for either family but it is good to see that justice was served the correct way. The man made a mistake he will never forget. A very good day during a very sad time.

I am very pleased with the verdict. I think that it was the right thing to do. What good would it do for anyone to lock him up for 20 years...

I'm glad he was found not guilty, however, I cannot imagine the grief and loss of the girls families. This was a horrible accident and my thoughts and prayers are with all of the families involved in this tragedy. Everyone lost in this case.

As bad as I feel for the family of the 2 girls who lost their lives, I truly feel this is the correct verdict.

I hope that this trial has been a heads-up to law enforcement agencies nationwide. I hope this will lead to restructuring guidelines for our police and troopers across the country, in being more aware under stressful advances, on lawbreakers. -On a more personal note, I'm grateful to the jury for their comprehension of the facts that were perceived / given and facts that were not allowed by both judge and prosecutor. Also, I hope that this is a new beginning for Officer Higbee and his family. If it were me, I doubt that I would want to be a State Trooper, after this tragic accident. I think that I would pursue a career in making some changes in training of our officer's. We don't know what each new day will hold for us. Let's not forget, but begin to heal.

good , i am happy for him . but he still has too livewith it . sad.

In a case where there are only victims, the hope is that in the case will shed light on the need for police to review their policies. It is tragic that two young people had to pay the ultimate price for that recognition.

My heart goes out to the family of the victims; but this us a correct vertict,

Thank God for Trooper Higbee. They (jury) got it right. No way should this officer have been taken to trial in the first place. It was an accident that could have (and has) happened to anyone. He knows his life will never be the same and probably won't be able to return to law enforcement. But not guilty was the only possible outcome. If anything, the young man whom Trooper Higbee was attempting to close in on should have been the one taken to court and faced these charges. Just imagine what the state of New Jersey was thinking by asking an officer of the law to do his job but don't do it too good or you'll go to prison (possibly)?

GREAT!!!!!!!

The jury came to the only just conclusion in this trial. This was a terrible accident, not a criminal act. Trooper Higbee's attorney, Mr. Subin, did a fantastic job vigorously defending his client!

The Trooper's testimony was convincing. He did not see the stop sign. He should have seen it but that did not make him reckless.

He has lost his career and the crash will haunt him always. Enough punishment for an accident.

Thank You To The Jury.
Great Job!!!!!

Thank god this man was found not guilty. He has his life back, and justice prevailed. I don't want anyone to think of this as him winning because he will be living with the deaths of those two girls the rest of his life, but he did not deserve any more punishment than what he has gone through already and will have to go through for the rest of his life. He is a great family guy and a great friend. Someone we all look up to. I don't know of anyone else that could have handle all this as well as he has without a hint of bitterness or negativity. Between his wife and himself, I am proud to call them my friends....

the jury got it right. this was a civil case all along. there was no reckless disregard of the law and it was unfortunate that two innocents were killed. the speeder should accept some of the responsibility for their deaths and possibly civil actions.

Thank God the jurors saw the accident as just that a tragic accident and did not put a Trooper in jail for only doing his duty. I also hope the judge on any ticket will do the right thing and not charge him, with anything. I also pray that Trooper Higbee gets his job back on the NJ State Police.

Thank GOD For This Verdict !

what a shame.

Justice!! I so very happy for Mr. Higbee and his family. I feel For the girls family my heart goes out to them. We lost a 16 year old son in 2001 so I know what she is going through. But I'm glad to see Mr. Higbee go home to his family. Now I just hope they give him back his job.

I have been an avid follower of this case and was relieved to find out this trooper was found not guilty. Like was said during the trial – Bad Things sometimes happen to good people. I think this was a very unfortunate accident and that is exactly what it was – an accident. I think this also sends a clear message to other officers to continue to do their jobs to the best of their ability and do not be afraid to perform your duties. Hopefully Trooper Higbee can now move on with his life, which does not mean he will ever forget what happened because he can't, but he can somewhat move beyond this. May God Bless all of the families in this tragic situation.

Time for all to heal &move on & for all to think twice about ever speeding.this was a tough trial for all involved. Peace

My condolences to the family.

This should have never gone this far.
Thank God there this jury had common sense.

DFD

At last...Justice prevailed!

My condolences to the family.

This should have never gone this far.
Thank God this jury had common sense.

DFD

Thank goodness the jurors saw it for what it was A Horrible accident where all partys played a part in the tragic outcome. Maby now the healing process can begin for the family and the trooper God Bless them all...

I am so happy to hear this news, as I was glued to the TV until coverage ended at 3pm. My prayers continue for the Caiafa family. Maybe somehow, Trooper Higbee can do something good from this trajedy; maybe speaking engagements.....I am not sure.........God Bless both families.

Thank goodness for this verdict! The trooper's actions while not being the best example of decision-making did not constitute a homicide. He will be living with this for the rest of his life, and that's punishment enough. The real cause of this tragedy was the idiot he was pursuing, and HE should be prosecuted for these two girls' deaths!

This is a sad day for the justice system, I have come to realize
the justice system does not always work , and this is an exaple of
it. my heart goes out to the mother of the girls that no longer
can say I love you.

UNBELIEVABLE! Thanks jury for giving the citizens one more thing to look out for or you may be killed! COWBOY COPS! I bet if it were one of those jurors that had they're kids or grandkids killed the verdict would be different! They have just released every "Barney Fife" in america to drive 60 miles an hour through our neighborhoods with children playing, intersections with innocent people, and anywhere else, all the while ignoring every traffic sign and device posted! Thanks jury! You got this one WRONG! and america watch out not only for drunk drivers and speeders but for that cowboy cop looking to make his quota!

This was the right verdict, the deaths of two young women is terrible, but to have found this Trooper guilty would have been a crime. This event has highlighted the potential dangers of high speed chases, and I am certain that officers every where are cognizant of the responsibilities they take on whenever high speed pursuits are engaged. I'm glad for the Trooper, and I hope the family of the sisters who died can remember the good memories, because those will last.

I agree totally with the jury's decision! He was doing his job, he didn't see the vehicle and an ACCIDENT occurred. If, If and If, this was no criminal case.

Praise God !!! May God bless all parties involved in this most tragic accident and the jury that carefully weighed all the evidence. The sad thing about this case is that there really are no winners because the trooper and the girls' family will live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives.

All I can say is that this was definitely justice served!!!!!!!!!! I watched the entire trial, by way of television & computer. I honestly believe this was a very tragic accident and my heartfelt sympathies are extended to all involved

I am so relieved; this was the right verdict. My sympathy goes out to the family of the girls as well, but I can't see how it would have eased their grief seeing Higbee go to prison for 20 years.

S. Patton
Oklahoma

As sorry as I feel for the sister's family I think the verdict was right. This is not an officer who thought that his actions that night would ever result in the death anyone let alone two sisters. Sadly, he will pay silently for the rest of his life.

The jury got it right. I never thought this case should have gone to criminal court. It belonged in civil court. I am curious to know what went on in the jury room. What the point of contention was.

crooked pigs shouldn t be above the law. they ed hang a regular person for this. ask the guy who killed that angles pitcher. he didn t mean it either drunk or just neglecting common rules of behavior.

Cleared?!.....unreal. I am absolutly speechless. Let this be a lesson to everyone that shows poor driving skills....OR NOT. Justice was not served. Accident or not, no justice was served. If any other normal Joe was driving and did this there would have been a punishment. And maybe there will be but I would like to see jail time, even if short. I feel bad for the family of the teenage children. I understant accidents happen...but, there has got to be punishment of some kind. Unbelievable. This man should be counting his lucky stars as well as being reminded 500 times a day what he did. I hope he can live in peace as well as the families involved, but dont ever forget. God bless!!!! Drive safe!

The jury made the right decision in this case. In my opinion this was clearly an accident.

Thanks, the Jury got this one right, no dancing in the streets because at the end of every day two lovely sisters are gone. Their MOM and their famalies know this best and Trooper Higbee will have the rest of his life to deal with this horrible "ACCIDENT". May, all involved find a good way to let the community start to heal!!! The MOTHER of the GIRLS' is an inspiration to other famalies, around the GLOBE!!!!

I think in Trooper Higbee's heart, that he is suffering in silence, and I am glad to see the verdict NOT GUILTY. He truly will have to live with the death of these beautiful girls therest of his life. Who knows, he may be a better police officer for it. My heart goes out to the mother and family of the girls. I know the pain of losing a child.

Shame on the jury! But you know, Karma is real and she can sometimes be very nasty! It always comes back around..........

Someday this man and those who let him go free, will pay for what he got away with. If not in this life, when he stands before God and has to answer for the lies he told. Wish I could be there to see it.

Justice prevails today, now maybe healing can begin. I pray so...

Thank the Lord for this verdict. This was not intentional, just a terrible accident where nobody wins.

So what now??? He get's his life back and the family of the girls get "NOTHING"? That sucks!!!!! I hope he see's these poor girls everytime he closes his eyes when he goes to bed at night.

So many people are killed by drivers who for what ever reason go though a stop signs or yeild signs..... but most are not ever brough to trial for vehicular homicide. I feel sad for the family of the two girls and can understand there anger, my prayers go out to them. The officer will have to suffer in his own mine and I hope he can come to some peace with in him.

A sad situation all around. With that said I think it was the propper decision based on th emany factors involved not all of the troopers doing. For the haters if you were charged you would hope for the same verdict. Those same will only be mad because Higbee was a Trooper and want to hang him for that and not the incident. I hope that both Higbee and Mom Caifa can begin to heal.

Well thank God comman sense has prevailed. Car chases are ridiculus and should not be tolerated as they invite just these kind of tragedies. How does it make any sense to go chasing around at breakneck speeds to give some guy a traffic ticket while risking the lives of so many innocent people. With what we pay traffic cops, we could invest in unmanned traffic radar complete with cameras to photograph the license plates of the offenders and mail them tickets. Doesn't that sound like a better idea?

I cannot wonder why this poor man was ever charged. He was just doing his job to the best of his ability.
He has to live with the fact that 2 lives were lost in a accident he was involved in. I'm sure there will not be a day he will not think of this & to have the added stress of a needdless trial is more than anyone should have to face.
I do not know what the prosecuter was thinking he was going to accomplish by laying these charges. He should be made accountable for this needless prosecution & be made to reimburse the state for the costs of his grandstanding for personal gain.

Wow.......speachless!

You can't blame an officer of the law for doing his job. You cannot blame someone for not remembering everything from a tragic accident, 2 weeks later. I blame the speeder, and, the lack of responsibility of the drivers....the girls should not have been out due to restrictions on their licenses, and without having their seatbelts on! Come on, now. I have always put mine on. Wake up people...Life is about CHOICES! This is why the police set up road blocks...., not to ticket you, but to make you aware. I too, am a mother of 2 daughters. Having grown up with men in the military...we fasten our seatbelts. My daughters do it religiously. It is something we do. I have heartfelt sympathy for the mother, but where was she, that night? What did she not do to inspire her daughters to be aware, themselves? Why is it everyone else at fault? Why do states that know for a fact that there is a "bad intersection" do what they are suppose to do? There are a lot of "WHY's!?!?! Fix it. Fix it, before you blame an innocent man for doing his job. America needs more "FIX IT'S"

Excellent News
I thank the jury.
Our judicial system could spend their time & funds better by going after drug dealers, robbers, repeat offenders, etc... With the same zest as the state did in this trooper’s trial.

Andy

I think this is a very tragic accident and I am glad that the victims mother can ask for a meeting with the trooper. This shows what what kind of a woman she is . Now maybe both of them can start to mend thier lives. I know it will be with both of them forever. I know the trooper will see what he saw in their van when he went to check on the girls forever in his mind. May God bless them both and thier families. Marsha

I am the daughter of a former Deputy Sherif and a mother of 22 yr old daughter. I feared may a night that my father would not return home safe after a "routine night on patrol" and in 2001 my daughter was nearly killed in a car that went off a bridge. A Texas State Trooper found my daughter on a isolated stretch of highway where for over an hour she had been trying to stop someone to help her and her two friends that were still in the car. Because it was dark, late at night and out of fear of there own, NO ONE would stop

A armed suspect appearing out of nowhere or missing a guard rail by 2 inches and spilt seconds was all it came down to.
We do not grapsed the reality of how In the blink of an eye – our lives can change forever until--–

This was truly a tragedy for all and my heart goes out to Trooper Higbee and the Becker girls mother and family.

Yes, I think 'Not Guilty' was the right vedict. I think he made a Very Bad decision, but I'm just as sure of the fact that he Did Not intend to kill the two girls.

It fails the commonsense test that a state trooper would be allowed to grossly exceed the posted speed limit through a controlled intersection without due regard for public safety! What happens the next time when for example a citizen is reaching for something on the floorboard and causes a fatality traffic accident? Would they be afforded the same crimeless passion as Higbee? This "criminal" not guilty verdict proves NJ has a two-tier justice system, one for law enforcement and one for citizenry. Bless the family of the two victims and I hope civil suits against both Higbee and the state police break the bank in record plaintiff settlements.

I hope that this tragic case will affect the way law enforcement chases speeding cars with little disregard for innocent victims in their way.

As a former police officer, i feel this case should never have gone this far. I can understand how the grand jury came to the decision to prosecute, however having been involved in multiple traffic stops justice will be best served if policy concerning "closing the gap "and the timing of use of lights and sirens be changed in retrospect to this incident.

Thank God he is not guilty. This was a tragic accident. I feel for the family of the dead girls. However this was a man doing what we the tax payers PAY him to do. There is no justice. But that a police officer doing his job is NOT guilty.

I just don't feel the "pursuit at all costs" mentality should be allowed. There will be another day. Also, why couldn't Have Officer Higbee called another officer in the area to affect the arrest.?

do not agree with jurors – however this was not criminal – however, Higbee is guilty of being careless and causing the death of two innocent people and should have been found guilty of a lesser charge- He shold do at least five years in jail

Travesty of Justice. He should be held accountable and hopefully will be sooner than later. Police oficers are not above the law but this goes to show you that they can get away with murder and have no consequences.

He is just a murderer with a badge

Police Officers for the most part attempt to do the best job they can for the community. When a suspect flees and an officer pursues it is not the officer that has committed a crime it is the suspect. The suspect should be the one who is prosecuted not the police officer. Survivors then sue the police agency they are not the ones who instigated the pursuit. But because the community has the deeper pockets the agency get's sued. What has happened to common sense?

There is a God!!! If the jury had found Trooper Higbee guilty, than they would have to find all drivers guilty because they all speed. No speeders,no chases!!!!! If Mr. Wigglesworth had not been breaking the law, this would not have happened, but yet, after admitting that he had been the speeder he got to walk away free of any ticket or charges. To deny that we speed or to say that the rules do not apply to me, willl only create more chases or worse yet more deaths, by troopers or by the law breakers themselves. This was a terrible accident for all involved. May God give them all of the comfort that they will need to get through each and everyday.

Police should be held to a higher standard. Not a lower one!

We would live in a police state if "Troopers" can kill innocent citizens and walk away.

Regardless of the verdict. Higbee should never be allowed to protect "The public Trust" ever again.

GENE
Las Vegas, NV

I think the jury did the right thing now it is up to the State Police to also do the correct thing. Trooper Higbee should be promoted and assigned to the State Police Training Center as an instructor so that he can pass along his knowledge about both sides of the system.

I had an accident wherein I slipped and fell on some black ice. As I was deposed I was asked numerous times, where were your hands, what did you do as you fell, and truthfully I don't remember. Yes, one goes in to a survival mode at the moment of an accident and we don't remember the incident itself, not the details. The brain just goes into somewhat of a black out or survival mode, I don't really know but I can relate that he did not remember the details.

I am the mother of twin girls and if anything like this happen to them the trooper might as well take out his gun and shoot me as well.

With that said, this was definitely an accident. What happen seemed to be the "perfect storm". I am surprised that the DA was able to get the Grand Jury to indict. If there is any blame to be doled out it would be with the the speeder that the trooper was chasing. The parents would be better off getting their satisfaction, if they need any at this time, from a Civil Court.
My prayers for both families, especially for the poor mother who lost her daughters.

OK, if this was an average Joe, he would have been convicted of vehicular homicide.

To drive this way just to catch a speeder, which obviously would just make the speeder go faster, is inexcusable.

Was it worth it? To catch the speeder? Was it that important? Important enough to take two innocent lives? This man has serious judgment problems which caused two preventable deaths.

He should lose his job permanently. How horribly sad that a man with no judgment skills would even be allowed to be a trooper. Obviously the psychological tests they use prior to hiring should be seriously examined and redone.

What happens the next time when for example a citizen is reaching for something on the floorboard and causes a fatality traffic accident? Would they be afforded the same crimeless passion as Higbee? This “criminal” not guilty verdict proves NJ has a two-tier justice system,

Horrible situation but I feel very strong that the verdict was the right one. Great job to all of the jurors in this case!!

You have just proved the point that any one in law enforcement can kiil someone and get away with it. I find that the jury was blinded by the fact that he is a highway patrolmen and they forgot about those girls..
I have no faith in law or justice for the family.. I feel for the mother and her family..You wonder why law enforcement get no respect, it is because the law does not apply to all.

My family has been in Law enforcement more than 100 years in Michigan. That trooper had no business chasing that kid at high speeds. he knew that car came back clean. He was over Zealous and had no regards to any ones safety. Most of the law enforcement we have do things by the book,its,the ones like Higby that disregard the law their sworn to uphold. I suppose its the Officers code of silence,that makes them that way. There are many people in our prisons,jails and morgues,because of some cops that have anger issues. I suggest that all of our Officers take lie detector tests quarterly. Hey what do I know I'm just a Housewife/Fly on the wall. The Mother of those two Beautiful women ,that were taken from her deserves more than a not guilty verdict. That man Higby took them from her. He should be in jail. He will commit another crime very soon. Thats what Psychotic KILLERS do.

When will police officers have to be held accountable for their actions? You have got to be kidding me! His first statement did not match his second! Obviously the laws for pursuit need to be updated and enforced! Unbelievable.

This man may not be guilty under the law, but he is not innocent. He knew the stop sign was there. He had just come from that direction and turned around to pursue the speeder. He will have to live with it the rest of his life and so will all his victims. The two girls didn't suffer, but their families and friends are also victims here. I was pretty sure from the beginning he would be found not guilty. He too is a victim – of a broken system.

To all of the people that are saying he got off because he was a police officer, you might want to investagate before you make a comment. There has never been anyone charged with the same as the trooper except for people who were drunk or on drugs,the officer was neither drunk or on drugs!

Okay, well many are so thankful that they feel juatice prevailed. How about maybe he should loose his license. Why should we have to take the chance onhim again? It was an accident but some penalty with a message should be sent to law enforcement that think they are above the law. How many times alone do we see someone with a police shield in their car speeding or pulling illegal moves,stop the madness and set some examples as harsh as it may be!

Linda: This case was poorly prosecuted in my opinion. From the testimony I viewed, closing the gap never addressed "when approaching intersections"; a departmental policy should reflect that. I don't believe Higbee met the elements of proof for vehicular homicide based on NJ law as I understand it, but I can't understand why the prosecution did not include a lesser offense! Two people are unfortunately dead as direct result of Higbee's actions, his negligence, even if the absence of departmental policy concerning intersections. Some people here seem to identify this tragedy as an exercise in rhetoric, it's not – two people are dead! As a retired cop, I too have made numerous traffic stops. I believe closing the gap in a stealth manner is the optimum but never at the risk of public safety. Negligently killing two people should never go unpunished meaning the jury got it wrong. Due process however was legally served when the jury spoke – so trial over.

I wasn't impressed by Higbee's testimony, or the testimony of his fellow troopers. Arrogance and occasional sarcasm is what I witnessed; not professionalism.

The thin blue line ends at the sign that reads: Right? – Or Wrong?

Just shows the police can get away with murder.The police taser people at will anymore just to get a kick or a laugh.They shoot to kill instead of stopping the person.There was a time the police was respected,a person could go up to them and get help,or expect to be treated with respect.But,now days everyone is guilty,and the police have a attitude of "US vs Everyone else".Instead of Protecting and Serving.This police officer went thru a intersection and speeded up thru it on a pursuit .I watched the trial on TV and seen the testimony.I wish the family's would go after him in a civil trial but,we all know he was on the "job"so us taxpayers will have to pay for his "mistake" out of our pockets.I hope he gets fired or a deskjob for this...But,more likely he will be back on the streets,and god help the next person he kills in line of duty..its not a matter of if it happening its a matter of when..as he just got away with a double homicide.

Police rules need to change. They must have some responsability for their actions. They need to abide by all laws they swear to enforce on the general public. They need to realize they are not above the law. Do I feel they made the right choice in this case, yes. Would those girls have died if they were not on the road... NO. Or if they were wearing seatbelts..... Who knows but their chance for survival would have been better. Do I beleive the police officer should have had his lights on when in a pursuit? DEFINATELY. Lights on in a pursuit should be like step 1 when persuing a speeder. No cop should drive above the speed limit within reason without having his lights on. I cross too many poilice officers in Virginia that think they own the road and go speeding by everyone in the left lane like they are more important then the rest of the drivers on the road. Local governemnts should work to provide a checks and balances for the police force.

I am so glad the jury found Robert Higbee not guilty.I have been following this case a long time and it should of never made it to criminal court.Thank God things turned out for the good.God Bless!

No! He killed 2 children. Police believe they are above the law and this verdict just shows they are right. The JUDGE said the officer just got off the intersection. The jury got it WRONG. EVERYONE who ever got a ticket at this STOP sign should be refunded.

I am shocked at how many people don't question the fact that a cop ran through a busy intersection without lights on at 65mph, killed two people and it is called a terrible accident. Anyone with any common sense would know that there would be some sort of traffic signal at an intersection like that.

He was pursuing a speeder not a runaway criminal. I am embarrased for anyone who can't step away from this and see the this was at the least a very careless mistake. Cops are not above the law!

Karen,

He didn't know he was pursuing a speeder and not a runaway criminal. He never did stop him. He could have just robbed a bank, did a home invasion, murdered someone, etc. The trooper didn't know who he was. The jury made the right decision. This was a TRAGIC ACCIDENT that the trooper will have to live with for the rest of his life.

I just reads all the replies. It makes me sick to read all the stupid remarks about this being a just verdict. This man was a cop who like most others wanted to get his share of tickets, And Speeded thru a Stop Sign of which he said he stopped and looked both way before, could he do this if he was going 65 miles in the intersection when he hit the girls. The jury was very stupid and so are the people that agrees with their verdict.