Billy lane charged w manslaughter

RatPatrol

RatPatrol

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Motorcycle shop owner charged with DUI manslaughter
From staff reports

September 25, 2006, 2:27 PM EDT

MELBOURNE -- A motorcycle shop owner who has appeared on the Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off" was arrested today and charged with drunken driving and DUI manslaughter in the traffic death of a biker.

Toxicology tests showed the blood alcohol level of "Billy" David Lane, 36, was 0.192 percent, authorities said, which is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08. The victim was Gerald Morelock, 56.

The crash occurred on Sept 4 at about 9 p.m. on State Road A1A and Windemere Place.

Lane's Dodge pickup truck attempted to pass on a double yellow line and struck Morelock while he was riding on his Yamaha bike, the Florida Highway Patrol said. He died at the scene.

Lane owns Choppers Inc. in Melbourne and has appeared on several cable-TV shows about motorcycles, including one originating from the 2005 Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, where he helped build a memorial bike for a Florida soldier who died in Iraq.

Troopers booked Lane into the Brevard County Jail on $15,000 bond.
 
What a joke. I'm sure the deceased's family is very happy to hear that Lane with be getting off on such a bullshit charge.
 
Not saying that he doesn't deserve a stronger punishment, but what would you like him to be charged with? DUI and DUI Manslaughter. That's exactly what he did. It wasn't murder. Let's just hope the sentence reflects the crime.
 
RBOD said:
Not saying that he doesn't deserve a stronger punishment, but what would you like him to be charged with? DUI and DUI Manslaughter. That's exactly what he did. It wasn't murder. Let's just hope the sentence reflects the crime.
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It was murder...and to an extent, premeditated.

He drove to that bar.
He drank at that bar.
He drove home from that bar, drunk.
His stupid actions led to the death of another human being.

As far as I am concerned, that's the same as:

He bought a gun.
He loaded that gun.
He waived that gun around in an irresponsible manner and killed someone.
 
Crazzy_Al said:
It was murder...and to an extent, premeditated.

He drove to that bar.
He drank at that bar.
He drove home from that bar, drunk.
His stupid actions led to the death of another human being.

As far as I am concerned, that's the same as:

He bought a gun.
He loaded that gun.
He waived that gun around in an irresponsible manner and killed someone.
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that's a rediculous comparison.
 
RBOD said:
that's a rediculous comparison.
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Actually, you're right. The DUI is far worse. An 8000lb truck is a lot bigger than a bullet and can potentially kill a lot more people than 1 bullet. I was a bit too easy in my comparison.
 
Crazzy_Al said:
It was murder...and to an extent, premeditated.

He drove to that bar.
He drank at that bar.
He drove home from that bar, drunk.
His stupid actions led to the death of another human being.

As far as I am concerned, that's the same as:

He bought a gun.
He loaded that gun.
He waived that gun around in an irresponsible manner and killed someone.
Click to expand...


Technically, your second scenario is also manslaughter. :dontknow:
 
.192 is what, like 5 or 6 beers an hour? I'd have an ounce of sympathy if he blew like a .08 and it appeared he had maybe 2 drinks or something, but .192 is just flat out not fit to drive.

Don't get behind the wheel if you're having more than A drink.
 
I know of similar cases were defendents were charged with second degree murder for the same crime. If you remember a couple years back a bloomfield cop was hit by a guy that had been drinking and was killed. They charged that guy with second degree murder.
________
N02 vaporizer
 
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RatPatrol said:
I know of similar cases were defendents were charged with second degree murder for the same crime. If you remember a couple years back a bloomfield cop was hit by a guy that had been drinking and was killed. They charged that guy with second degree murder.
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I think we all know the key difference there.
 
I agree that he deserves a LONG time in jail (which sucks cuz he's a good guy sober and makes wicked bikes). I'm not trying to trivialize what he did. Just saying that they charged him with what he did. Unintentionally taking another life but being responsible for it. No matter how much time he does in jail or how much money they fine him...it's not going to bring the other person back.
 
RBOD said:
oh yea. if you kill a police officer, they'll hit you with anything they can (rightfully so).
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Rightfully so? Nothing against cops, but all human life should be treated equally. What makes that cop's life more valuable then yours?
 
cASe SenSiTive said:
The judge doesn't get to choose the charge. That's up to the DA.
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The judge can change the charge during a hearing, right? Say the judge feels that the DA worked out too good of a deal.
 
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