Billy Lane RTA fatality: Latest news: 19th Oct '06

[Natra]

Originally Posted by 12_String

There's no fancy way of dressing it up - I love his bikes, was never overstruck with his ego, but if he's found guilty, he should get no special treatment.

12

never committed the criminal offence of building a pink bike did he? ,
still causing death as a drunk driver he deserves to be locked up

[BaZa®]

Lane pleads not guilty to DUI manslaughter charge

October 19, 2006

MELBOURNE, FL -- Celebrity motorcycle builder Billy Lane this afternoon pleaded not guilty to DUI manslaughter in the Labor Day accident that left a Melbourne Beach man dead.

The state attorney’s office today formally charged Lane with the second-degree felony. If convicted, he faces a maximum 15 years in prison.



The state attorney’s office is continuing its investigation and could tack on additional charges.

“There is a possibility of other charges, but it doesn’t substantially change his exposure,” said Assistant State Attorney Wayne Holmes. “It’s a serious offense.”

Lane was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol investigators on Sept. 25 in connection with a Labor Day accident that left Melbourne Beach resident Gerald Morelock dead.

Police said that Lane’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

In anticipation of the official charges, Lane’s attorney Kepler Funk filed a written plea of not guilty with the courts and a demand for a trial.

According to the Clerk of Courts Web site, Lane is due in court on Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge A.B. Majeed for a first appearance. But Funk also filed a waiver of appearance, meaning Lane will not be in court that day.

“The most important thing to remember is that a human being died in this accident and it’s a tragedy that Mr. Lane feels every day,” Funk said, adding that when first arrested Lane was facing 25 years in prison. “This decision is not a surprise to me. I’ve been in contact with the state attorney’s office on numerous occasions regarding this case, and I look forward to continued dialogue to resolve this case.”

Lane, who owns a shop called Choppers Inc. in Melbourne, was originally charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with driving under the influence manslaughter, driving with his license suspended and driving under the influence with serious bodily injuries.

The fact that the state only filed one charge against Lane, puzzled the victim’s brother Byron Morelock of Indialantic.

“I want him charged appropriately,” he said. “I hope they don’t drop the ball.”

Investigators said the wreck occurred Sept. 4 after Lane crossed a double yellow line on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach to pass several other vehicles before striking Morelock, who was riding a 1983 Yamaha motorcycle.

[Veggie]

Not hard to imagine what our emotions would be had it been a drunken van driver killing Mr Lane.

No excuses Billy my lad, and as Dan rightly said, all sympathy to Mr Moreton's family and friends.

A pointless waste of a life.

[Big_john]

Condolences to Mr Moreton's family & friends


Big_john Spain

[banquo]

Interesting points of law here.
If this kind of exposure had happened in our country, it would have been seen as predjudicing the defendant's right to a fair trial. Significant evidence, including statements from the arresting officer, have been made public (to the potential jurors, as well as to everyone else) and forums all over the English speaking world have appointed themselves judge, jury and executioner to someone who is supposedly innocent until proven guilty.

Quite apart from anything else, this free dispersion of 'evidence' could prejudice the fair trial, and get a guilty man off on a technicality, so it seems a tad unproductive...

That's why there are (in this country) reporting restriction on cases. Anyone can become a juror, and if they have already made up their mind, by reading the 'facts' of the case in the papers, on the web, or anywhere else, that the defendant is guilty, before the trial has even taken place, what chance of a fair trial?

Frankly, IF the guy did do what everyone's saying he did, then he gets what's coming to him, but it's not up to us to judge on third hand accounts: it's up to a court of law, where all of the facts can be presented and considered in their entirety.

It's easy to get self-righteous and "holier than thou" at times like this, but how many of us can say, in all honesty, that they have NEVER ridden or driven whilst over the limit?

Maybe speaking out of turn, but for me, the time to condemn is after someone's been found guilty, and not before...

It seems the rules in the USA governing disclosure and free reporting of issues prejudicial to a fair trial are looser than ours?

What say you Bear?

[the_french_owl]

banquo

but how many of us can say, in all honesty, that they have NEVER ridden or driven whilst over the limit?

Me... I don't drink...

Patrick

[Natra]

Originally Posted by banquo

Interesting points of law here.
If this kind of exposure had happened in our country, it would have been seen as predjudicing the defendant's right to a fair trial. Significant evidence, including statements from the arresting officer, have been made public (to the potential jurors, as well as to everyone else) and forums all over the English speaking world have appointed themselves judge, jury and executioner to someone who is supposedly innocent until proven guilty.

Quite apart from anything else, this free dispersion of 'evidence' could prejudice the fair trial, and get a guilty man off on a technicality, so it seems a tad unproductive...

That's why there are (in this country) reporting restriction on cases. Anyone can become a juror, and if they have already made up their mind, by reading the 'facts' of the case in the papers, on the web, or anywhere else, that the defendant is guilty, before the trial has even taken place, what chance of a fair trial?

Frankly, IF the guy did do what everyone's saying he did, then he gets what's coming to him, but it's not up to us to judge on third hand accounts: it's up to a court of law, where all of the facts can be presented and considered in their entirety.
?

Good point well made, after all we all had O.J.Simpson down as guilty, and he was found not guilty, just shows how wrong we can be

[dantheman]

[quote=banquo;454739]

It's easy to get self-righteous and "holier than thou" at times like this, but how many of us can say, in all honesty, that they have NEVER ridden or driven whilst over the limit?
quote]
me da' hand oan heart, and if he or any other ferker, killed one of mine whilst under the influence, hell would be a good place to hide,

[banquo]

Originally Posted by Natrasleep

Good point well made, after all we all had O.J.Simpson down as guilty, and he was found not guilty, just shows how wrong we can be

Yes, and that just proves my point!

[Robbo]

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