In a decision that has surprised experts a 63 year old Austrian man has received a 3 month suspended prison sentence for negligent homicide for not turning on either his own or his wife’s avalanche beacon both of which were left in their rucksacks. Experts, including a representative of the rescue services and Austrian alpine club see this as an issue of personal responsibility for private groups. However the sentence, from a first instance court, is similar to verdicts in other European jurisdictions which are putting increasingly responsibility on the conduct of more experienced group members. (Cour d’appel de Grenoble- arrêt du 21 octobre 2002...)

see main page http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/1024-three-months-suspended-sentence-for-forgetting-avalanche-beacon/