Another cyclist gone, possible Murder charge

[MartianDestiny]

Just pulled this link off of a post on Roadbikereview:

http://www.grandhaventribune.com/pai...9856388713.bsp

It's horrible to hear about the senseless death of yet another cyclist. This is the first time I've seen a report of a charge of murder, rather than manslaughter, though, and I hope it sticks. I sick of hearing about drivers that have histories of "reckless" driving (in any form) getting off with a wrist slap at best after running one of us down.

My thoughts go out to this kid's friends and family. In reality it won't matter much to any of them what the driver gets charged with Maybe stricter consequences can help the rest of us though.

[beccaB]

I think this one's a victory for MADD as well as bicyclists. This is the state I live in. I have been hit by 2 drunk drivers(in my car, not bike) I have an extremely harsh opinion of people who drink and drive.

[kenyonchris]

They can attempt to charge him with murder...if they can't prove intent, it will get downgraded to manslaughter, that won't happen till the DA kicks the case downhill if intent can't be shown. I would have charged him with murder, knowing that (in our county especially) the DA wouldn't take it. But he is on his third (I think?) DWI, that is a felony in itself. He is going to big boy jail.
Some people are idiots. They drive drunk with KIDS in their car, they take sleeping pills with their wine and put their kids in the car. That is a felony the first time, as it should be.
Bah. I hate hearing that, it makes me mad. The worst thing is that there are a lot of officers that hate doing DWIs because of the state mandated paperwork we have to do with them, and the fact that we are going to be put on the stand and grilled to death by a defense attorney who KNOWS his client probably was drunk, but is paid to make a jury, who typically knows NOTHING about field sobriety tests or the law in regard to them, see things that just aren't there. And the prosecutors in routine DWIs are typically underpaid new lawyers cutting their teeth in district court...they are usually sharkbait for the defense lawyers. I LOVE doing them, even though it means 3 hours of paperwork (and I am fast)...more if it is weird. I feel like I am saving someone somewhere.

[ny biker]

Kenyonchris, we all appreciate it.

[limewave]

That is from my home town.

We had another cyclist in a hit and run yesterday. They found the guy and are bringing four charges against him, one of them something with intent. I can't remember off-hand. Anyways, they can prove it because there are witnesses that heard and saw the driver blare his horn at the cyclist and then swerve to hit him with his car's mirror.

Welcome to cycling in Michigan. . . . I've had people try and clip me with their mirror before too. Even had someone throw bottles at me.

I don't get it.

[babynoahsmom]

They can attempt to charge him with murder...if they can't prove intent, it will get downgraded to manslaughter, that won't happen till the DA kicks the case downhill if intent can't be shown. I would have charged him with murder, knowing that (in our county especially) the DA wouldn't take it. But he is on his third (I think?) DWI, that is a felony in itself. He is going to big boy jail.
Some people are idiots. They drive drunk with KIDS in their car, they take sleeping pills with their wine and put their kids in the car. That is a felony the first time, as it should be.
Bah. I hate hearing that, it makes me mad. The worst thing is that there are a lot of officers that hate doing DWIs because of the state mandated paperwork we have to do with them, and the fact that we are going to be put on the stand and grilled to death by a defense attorney who KNOWS his client probably was drunk, but is paid to make a jury, who typically knows NOTHING about field sobriety tests or the law in regard to them, see things that just aren't there. And the prosecutors in routine DWIs are typically underpaid new lawyers cutting their teeth in district court...they are usually sharkbait for the defense lawyers. I LOVE doing them, even though it means 3 hours of paperwork (and I am fast)...more if it is weird. I feel like I am saving someone somewhere.

My husband is a DA. He and his firm are not underpaid or new. They take cycling accidents, thefts, etc. very seriously. I think if you have a DA that is a cyclist it makes the most difference. It is up to the attorney to educate the jury in re to the tests, etc. It is wonderful that you are being proactive in re to DWI. Keep up that attitude. You probably have already saved a life.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Just pulled this link off of a post on Roadbikereview:

http://www.grandhaventribune.com/pai...9856388713.bsp

It's horrible to hear about the senseless death of yet another cyclist. This is the first time I've seen a report of a charge of murder, rather than manslaughter, though, and I hope it sticks. I sick of hearing about drivers that have histories of "reckless" driving (in any form) getting off with a wrist slap at best after running one of us down.

My thoughts go out to this kid's friends and family. In reality it won't matter much to any of them what the driver gets charged with Maybe stricter consequences can help the rest of us though.

This is so senseless and awful. I hate to hear more and more stories like this. <shaking my head>

KC - thank you AGAIN for keeping up with the fight!