Motorcyclist charged for cops death

Hammer · 10-18-2005, 11:20 PM

Things are just too quiet around here.

http://www.wesh.com/news/5077874/detail.html

Quote:

A trial involving a police pursuit gets under way in Volusia County Monday.

Donald Williams is charged with vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter and attempting to flee from police for an accident last October, WESH 2 News reported.

Police said Williams was on a motorcycle trying to avoid Florida Highway Patrol trooper Darryl Haywood, but as Haywood got close, one of his tires blew out and he lost control.

Haywood crashed into a tree and died. Williams was later arrested. Investigators said he was going more than 150 mph.
Click here to find out more!

Jury selection is under way, and if a jury is seated on Monday, opening arguments could begin as soon as Tuesday.

Also Monday, attorneys discussed crash-site photographs that the defense does not want jurors to see. The public defender's office also brought a suit in for Williams so that potential jurors won't see him in his jail jumpsuit.

smkeatr · 10-18-2005, 11:43 PM

And he said he never saw the cop the whole time. This is a local story here with lots of coverage. He's looking at 3, 30 year terms.

Today he was found guilty on all 3 counts.

Hammer · 10-19-2005, 12:19 AM

That will set a presidence on future cases. I guess before a motorcyclist runs from the popo, he must check the cops tires to see if they are in good enough condition for the chase and see if the cop has the skills to chase as well. That is if the guy ever did see the cop behind him, I do know when doing 150mph I ain't looking no where but forward with my head down.

ConqSoft · 10-19-2005, 12:22 AM

Doesn't matter if he saw the cop or not. If he hadn't been doing 150mph on the highway, the cop wouldn't be dead. Another perfect example of an asshat; no regard for how his actions may affect others.

Hammer · 10-19-2005, 12:36 AM

Smkeatr, what about the guy in the car, what did he get?

Conq I see your point but look at it this way. Say for the hell of it that the guy did not see him. The cop crashed his own car to his death with no contact with the bike right, and the rider had no idea he was being followed. Now with this ruling, lawers can go back and use this in future cases to convict motorist of vehicular manslaughter if a cop crashes and dies and the motorist does not even know they are even being chased, could be for as little as an illegal U turn or expired plate. 30 years in the pokey is a little steep IMO.

sheepofblue · 10-19-2005, 12:45 AM

Seems like a good case for appeal. However like most of these cases the devil is in the details. In this case how credible is the story that he did not see the officer.

If he saw him I can see a single manslaughter charge as his actions did unintentionally lead to the accident (the very definition of manslaughter) but 3

kawboy69 · 10-19-2005, 12:51 AM

You better watch it the conq has spoken next he takes rep.

So you better agree everyone is asshats.

Hammer · 10-19-2005, 12:52 AM

Buy you books, send you to school................

ConqSoft · 10-19-2005, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Buy you books, send you to school................

I think kaw skipped both.

sheepofblue · 10-19-2005, 1:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawboy69

You better watch it the conq has spoken next he takes rep.

So you better agree everyone is asshats.

just when I was fixin to cross 100 and have a great new avatar

kawboy69 · 10-19-2005, 1:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

I think kaw skipped both.

No. I had both and used them well.

kawboy69 · 10-19-2005, 1:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

just when I was fixin to cross 100 and have a great new avatar

Sorry didnt mean to disappoint you sheep.

ConqSoft · 10-19-2005, 1:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawboy69

You better watch it the conq has spoken next he takes rep.

So you better agree everyone is asshats.

I can post my opinion just like any other member, and I can give/take rep like any other member. So deal with it or leave.

kawboy69 · 10-19-2005, 1:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

I can post my opinion just like any other member, and I can give/take rep like any other member. So deal with it or leave.

Thats my opinion also...

ndj · 10-19-2005, 1:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Doesn't matter if he saw the cop or not. If he hadn't been doing 150mph on the highway, the cop wouldn't be dead. Another perfect example of an asshat; no regard for how his actions may affect others.

In Western Australia we had a much publicised case where a highway patrol car was passed by a vehicle doing in excess of the speed limit going in the other direction. The cops immediately did a fast U-turn to give chase but alas, without checking if it was safe to do so. Result: 1 dead cop and one in a coma for a few weeks. Luckily the driver of car that hit them survived without life-threatening injuries.

The speeding driver was never caught and probably watched and read about this incident in the media without ever realising he was an "asshat" who "caused" the death of a police officer. Do you think the police may have also been "asshats" in this case? Or are police immune from being asshats?

By the way: the term "asshat" comes up a fair bit on this forum. I take it it's a uniquely American term?

FantasyGod · 10-19-2005, 2:59 AM

Looks like the cop car used to be a camaro. That car is probably half the length it used to be.

rowlex · 10-19-2005, 3:25 AM

thats too bad for both parties involved. However I dont think the rider should get punished that severly. Like someone above said, it's not our job to check his tires -- that would be the cops job-- cops are suppose to do a full vehicle check before they start their shift. I can completly see how the rider could not see the officer if he was directly behind him.

evl_twn · 10-19-2005, 3:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Conq I see your point but look at it this way. Say for the hell of it that the guy did not see him. The cop crashed his own car to his death with no contact with the bike right, and the rider had no idea he was being followed. Now with this ruling, lawers can go back and use this in future cases to convict motorist of vehicular manslaughter if a cop crashes and dies and the motorist does not even know they are even being chased, could be for as little as an illegal U turn or expired plate. 30 years in the pokey is a little steep IMO.

+1

HondaGalToo · 10-19-2005, 6:13 AM

So, when are the asshats who "didn't see the motorcycle" and hit and kill a motorcyclist going to receive similar punishment instead of the usual slap on the wrist they now receive?

CBRGuy · 10-19-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

So, when are the asshats who "didn't see the motorcycle" and hit and kill a motorcyclist going to receive similar punishment instead of the usual slap on the wrist they now receive?

+1 million

They're lucky to just get a traffic citation now...........

ConqSoft · 10-19-2005, 12:24 PM

MR. POTATO HEAD. MR. POTATO HEAD. I have no more rep power than anyone else. It's all from the same calculation.

And I, just as everyone else, can use it any way I see fit.

BDA116 · 10-19-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revkev

blah blah blah, more verbal diarrhea from the same source.

Hang on, you are telling Conq to be more humble and that he is too prideful?

Don't you own a mirror anywhere, or did you lose it under your imaginary throne?

ConqSoft · 10-19-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revkev

that is not the truth. you took my rep.. as you stated in a preveous post, i need at least 10 to take or leave rep. and name calling (mister potato head) just proves your mentality.

Yes, you do need to have at least 10 to give/take rep from others. It's all part of the system. Refer to the reputation post I pointed you too earlier if you want to see how it really works. That still doesn't change the fact that it's all based off the same calculation, and is a level playing field.

Oh, and watch Wargames sometime.