Teo Peter

Teofil Peter (April 11 1954 - December 3 2004) was a Romanian rock musician and bass player for "Compact".

Peter was born in Cluj-Napoca [ [http://www.cat-music.ro/home.php?identifier=comp Compact ] ] , in Transylvania, in 1954. He was considered by some to be the Bruce Springsteen of Romania. Compact was formed in Cluj-Napoca in 1977. Teo Peter had a brother, Dorian [ [http://www.newsweek.com/id/130164/page/3 A Thorn in Bush’s Side | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com ] ] , and a son, Teo Peter Jr.

Death

Peter was killed in a traffic accident at 4:30am on December 3, 2004 when 31 year old Staff Sgt. Christopher Van Goethem, an American Marine serving his embassy in Bucharest [ [http://useu.usmission.gov/Article.asp?ID=5077D987-925A-4039-BA70-98E67450E7C6 USEU : Article ] ] , while driving his Ford Expedition, collided with a taxi carrying Peter. Van Goethem, allegedly drunk, did not obey a traffic signal to stop, which resulted in the collision. Peter was buried on December 7 in Mănăştur Cemetery, in his native Cluj-Napoca. [ [http://www.diasporaro.com/nr_curent/diverse1.htm Diaspora Romaneasca - Diverse ] ]

Van Goethem's blood alcohol content was estimated at 0.09 from a breathalyser test, but he refused to give a blood sample for further testing and left for Germany [ [http://romania.usaid.gov/fwww/Documents/Statement_0412.htm Press Release ] ] before charges could be filed in Romania. The Romanian government requested the American government lift his diplomatic immunity [ [http://www.guv.ro/engleza/presa/afis-arhdoc.php?idpresa=4094&idrubricapresa=1&idrubricaprimm=&idtema=&tip=2&pag=1&dr= Press Releases-PRESS RELEASE ] ] , which it has refused to do. The Marine was later cleared by a court martial of both manslaughter and adultery while convicted for obstruction of justice and making false statements.

Peter's death and Van Goethem's court martial were very controversial and led to protests from Romanians [ [http://www.newsweek.com/id/130164 A Thorn in Bush’s Side | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com ] ] in the United States.

In 2005, the U.S. Embassy announced the establishment of a memorial commemorating the life and work of Teo Peter [ [http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/fwww/Documents/Teo_Peter_Memorial_06162005.html#english Press Release | United States Embassy to Bucharest, Romania ] ] . The memorial is an annual professional visit program awarded to a distinguished Romanian cultural figure whose work addresses young people or helps to advance the careers of new artists and performers.

References

Persondata
NAME = Peter, Teofil
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Peter, Teo
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Romanian musician
DATE OF BIRTH = April 11, 1954
PLACE OF BIRTH = Cluj-Napoca, Romania
DATE OF DEATH = [December 3] , 2004
PLACE OF DEATH = Bucharest, Romania