How late is too late?

From what I remember about the Good Samaritan doctrine from law school, while there is no duty to render aid to someone, if you do render aid you are then under a duty to do it properly.

A guy in New Mexico seems to have messed up as a Good Samaritan, for while he took a woman to the hospital emergency room, her condition was  far too advanced to be considered an emergency.

Man delivers decomposing body to NM emergency room

ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP) — Police in the northern New Mexico city of Espanola say a man tried to get help at a hospital emergency room for a woman who had been dead as long as a day and a half.

Officers say Jerry Maestas drove to the hospital Tuesday with the 33-year-old woman’s decomposing body propped up in the passenger seat.

Apparently they could smell her:

The 64-year-old Maestas asked hospital staff to come outside and help his sick friend. Police spokesman Jeremy Apodaca says the staff could tell by the smell that the woman had been dead for some time.

KOB-TV reports that the woman may have been dead for 24 to 36 hours, and Maestas will face charges of failing to report a death.

Well, I was always taught that only doctors are considered to have the expertise and legal authority to pronounce someone dead. If that is true, then how can anyone be charged with not reporting what they have no right to determine?

Besides, what about all those dead voters who keep voting — especially in places like Detroit and Chicago? It hardly strikes me as fair that they’re allowed to vote, while this poor woman can’t even get decent medical care. 

Another unfair double standard!

MORE: Mom Brings Dead Son to Soccer Game.

And why not?

Shouldn’t the right to pursue happiness take precedence over voting or obtaining medical care?