Numbers Significance

John Goodman's personal fortune largely untouched by $46 million DUImanslaughter settlement

John Goodman
MoviesPad.com
Scott Wilson
Wilson Family

With sentencing for his DUI manslaughter conviction looming on April 30, lawyers for John Goodman have revealed the amount that victim Scott Wilson's family will be paid.

The Palm Beach Post reports that Lili and William Wilson, Scott's parents, will receive $46 million according to the terms of the civil settlement reached in early March. The figure of $23 million each is significant in part because Scott Wilson was 23 years old when his car was hit and pushed into a canal by Goodman's speeding, stop-sign-running Bentley on the night of Feb. 10, 2010. Wilson drowned while strapped in his seatbelt.

The figure of $23 million each is significant in part because Scott Wilson was 23 years old when his car was hit and pushed into a canal by Goodman's speeding Bentley.

Goodman's lawyers have released the figure as part of their efforts to convince a sentencing judge that Goodman's conviction resulted from a bias against his wealth. However, most of the settlement funds are being paid by Goodman's insurance, not his personal fortune as heir to a Houston air conditioning empire, which is estimated at $300 million. In addition, $6 million of the settlement figure is being paid by The Player's Club, the bar that Goodman drank at before the accident.

Goodman was convicted of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in March, and faces up to 30 years in jail upon sentencing. His lawyers have promised to appeal the ruling.

What do you think about the $46 million figure?

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana