Dave Laut Killed at Home

[Tilaoy]

Apparently shot in his back yard while looking for an intruder.

Very, Very Sad News

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2 ... d-killing/

[Double R Bar]

Yes, very sad news. I remember him well. So sorry to hear this report.

[wamego relays champ]

I knew Dave Laut during his years at UCLA.

A tremendous competitor and a true gentleman. Unassuming and personable, the US T&F community has lost a great champion.

RIP, Dave.

.

[jhc68]

Nice article by a knowledgeable track writer:

http://www.independent.com/news/2009/sep/02/dave-laut-1956-2009/

Laut was throwing for Santa Clara HS the first year I started teaching/coaching. Our small school had an old-timey shot area with some telephone poles chained to the ground to block implements from rolling too far into the warm up area. Of course, Laut's first throw completely cleared the logs. After that he throw a couple of safe, short marks that could be measured accurately to make life easy for the officials.

Laut seemed a genuinely nice guy in my few dealings with him.

[gh]

See link now on front page, which includes video with Laut's wife's lawyer. Reading between the lines, I'm guessing this is going to take a nasty turn. (but hey, that's what law dudes do)

[26mi235]

That link is a story from September 8, 10 days ago. Has anything happened since? I am having trouble figuring out what direction this takes: 1) within-family murder; 2) drug use or drug involvement with some complication?; 3)??

[Double R Bar]

Time to call Perry Mason.

[gh]

That link is a story from September 8, 10 days ago. Has anything happened since? I am having trouble figuring out what direction this takes: 1) within-family murder; 2) drug use or drug involvement with some complication?; 3)??

As part of the video they noted that the lawyer had defended a woman who had shot her husband in a domestic violence case and it never went to trial.

[mal]

See link now on front page, which includes video with Laut's wife's lawyer. Reading between the lines, I'm guessing this is going to take a nasty turn. (but hey, that's what law dudes do)

A nastier turn than being shot in the scone?

[Brian]

That link is a story from September 8, 10 days ago. Has anything happened since? I am having trouble figuring out what direction this takes: 1) within-family murder; 2) drug use or drug involvement with some complication?; 3)??

As part of the video they noted that the lawyer had defended a woman who had shot her husband in a domestic violence case and it never went to trial.

A least somewhat important to other members of that community in the sense that a domestic crime is a long ways from a random assault/murder by strangers.

[malmo]

That link is a story from September 8, 10 days ago. Has anything happened since? I am having trouble figuring out what direction this takes: 1) within-family murder; 2) drug use or drug involvement with some complication?; 3)??

Two shots to the head. At home. Wife hires a criminal defense attorney. It doesn't take Lt Columbo to figure this one out.

[guru]

Wife officially charged with Laut's murder.

http://bit.ly/dge2oT

[DrJay]

Re: Dave Laut Killed at Home

"...that she wrestled the gun from an abusive husband..." So was she a shotputter as well? Seems like an unlikely scenario (taking a gun away from him.)

[mikewinch]

Re: Dave Laut Killed at Home

Very :x sad to hear this news. Dave was a superb athlete and technical expert, but mostly a very nice bloke.

[Matt1]

Re: Dave Laut Killed at Home

Very sad.

Why does the most recent article (see front page about his wife) refer to him as an 'ex Olympian'? I know he has passed - but he is and always be an Olympian. Commentators also often refer to 'former Olympic medallist' - and the same applies - once a medallist always a medallist. I can understand why athletes are referred to as former champions - but 'former Olympian' and 'former medallist' just makes no sense.