Not quite sure how long Walter Case has been ruled "off", and been away from racing, and I obviously don't have any first hand knowledge of his character or misdeeds. I don't for a second make light of his past activities. However, if he has served his jail term, and paid that debt to society, it seems to me that the assorted racing commissions should make decisions that reflect that he has paid his dues. If he has not paid his debts to society, than, he shouldn't be out and about, so to speak. Just my two cents worth....racing could use all the competitors that it can assemble, again, not making light of any past misdeeds. I am assuming he had served his jail terms, been punished for his crimes, and been released a free person. Will his debts to society ever be paid...and who is making these decisions that are beyond what the courts have imposed and supervised?
I understand Case had certainly earned quite a litany of violations when driving before he ran into legal problems, but I am going to make the assumption those problems were related to his substance abuse issues and with paying his debt to society, he realizes those actions were unacceptable and realizes he needs to come back and obey the rules. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting he be given his license back without any restrictions, in fact, I ould suggest Case be given a probationary license initially just in case he does return to his old ways with respect to observing racing's rules.
The fact is Case should be back in the sulky, certainly in Massachusetts. The Bay State should be ashamed of themselves.
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It's speculation since Massachusetts hasn't explained the license denial, but I'd say the decision makers realize they made a mistake the first time.
Has Case "paid his debt to society" for trying to kill his wife? Yes.
Was he one of the best drivers I've seen in 50 years of following harness racing? Yes.
Should Case return to a sport where he routinely ignored the rules, didn't pay fines and failed to show up for his drives? NO.
A lifetime ban is not only appropriate, but anything less encourages others to do the same.
Too many racetracks and racing regulators allowed Case to race long after he should have been kicked out. It was wrong to let the guy drive, earn more than most and never or rarely pay up for flaunting the rules.
This time around everyone needs to have the same message to the man who had the fastest left kicking foot on the track. "Walter, you're not good for racing, you're not welcome, goodbye."
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