I read a lot of posts and heard a lot of comments about Choppers Inc. Billy Lane’s tragic story. I didn’t intend to publish anything about it, but a lot of people have been asking what I think of Billy. So here is my first and last public comment about him. At some point in our lives, we all make mistakes with more or less consequence. Billy made some bad decisions, none of which he can take back. Billy, his friends, family & Gerald Morelock’s friends & family will all have to live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives. I personally know Billy from a time when he was a new builder and was still unknown in the motorcycle industry. Public image can be quite different from reality. I consider Billy a brother of my industry, a fellow builder, and I won’t kick a brother when he is down. Unfortunately, Billy cannot erase this accident. I am however convinced that as soon as it will be possible for him to do so, Billy will act proactively to turn the lesson of this tragedy into a positive message for others.
Hey Huze, you’re obviously biased. This was no accident or mistake. Lane is an irresponsible jerk that commited a crime. And hey sure as hell ain’t no “bro”. He can’t even step up and man up to what he did. So you can join all the other Billy-Butt-Kissers out there that make me and other real riders sick.
L.A. Rider, of course Cyril is biased, he says he’s known him for a long time. I don’t think Cyril denies the fact that what Billy is irresponsible nor that he deserves paying for this crime.
I wrote that it’s a tragedy for everybody involved. The only difference between you & me is that I know Billy. It doesn’t make any difference for his responsibilty. What I meant is that you never wish that it happens to somebody you know (Billy or the victim). Billy will have very soon his day in court (1st hearing is October 27th here in Florida). Justice will be done like it would be for you or me.
Do you really think that unknown people would have left the hospital and go home, wait two weeks for BAC resultss from FDLE, FHP call your attorney of record and let you turn yourself in at your leisure and can afford four lawyers to hold your hand while being booked and get out of jail without going to a cell in 90 minutes? Somehow…..I doubt it. Sure people feel sorry for Billy…but Billy is a big boy and Billy knew that North Carolina Highway Patrol took his Florida Drivers license when he was pulled over in North Carolina for being in what??? Billy Lane was on the wrong side of the highway again. Only in Florida he killed somebody. I guess if you are Billy’s friend you do not think Billy’s actions have conquenses. I am not somebody who wants to tar and feather Billy but he was in the wrong. What if he ran over one of your loved ones? I don’t think I would brag about knowing him. I am not so sure he is a brother. We do not ride drunk down the wrong side of a two lane highway without our helmet when it is the law there. I sure would not have been behind the wheel drunk and without license. Billy will not be in court on October 27th because his attorneys filed a request for jury trial, he plead NOT GUILTY and waived his first appearance. I think Billy was afraid and not man enough to stand up in a courtroom and say NOT GUILTY.
I agree with you on everything except that I cannot say today that I don’t know him because of what happened He is a fellow builder and I have appreciated him as such. Most people of my industry would tell you the same. It’s the reason why we are saddened. I know nothing about the strategies of his lawyers, but I guess Billy follows the advice given to him.
Look at that guy in the picture…tough guy…Big Bad Billy with his bad tattoos. He can’t even man up to his actions. Big contradiction here. The tough guy who gets Jack Daniels poured down his throat while doing a burnout with his bike is afraid to do his time for killing a man. Lane is nothing but a poser and regardless of the outcome of his case, he loses all respect and has brought the whole custom bike industry down just because he could think of nobody but himself.
Cyril, you create some beautiful bikes but you’re on the wrong side of the angels here. First of all, this was not a “mistake” or an “accident”. Billy has been drinking and driving for years. The only question was would Billy kill himself before he killed an innocent person? Secondly, you wrote “I am however convinced that as soon as it will be possible for him to do so, Billy will act proactively to turn the lesson of this tragedy into a positive message for others. Actually, it is already possible for Billy to do so - he is choosing not to. Cyril, you are attempting to support him, but look at the facts:
1. North Carolina Police reported Billy Lane was pulled over for driving on the wrong side of the highway, not wearing a helmet and refusing to submit to a BAC test. His fame and expensive lawyers got him out of that DUI, while the odds of a “typical” citizen not being conviced of a DUI in those circumstances are near zero.
2. He refused to take a BAC test after he killed Mr. Morelock in Florida, but the state would not allow him to refuse. His BAC was .192
3. After the fatality, the Choppers Inc website was immediately “sanitized” and the photos of Billy with alcohol were removed.
4. He issued no statement.
5. He plead not guilty.
6. It would appear that he intends to hide behind his expensive lawyers and see if he can get away with this one too. It would also appear that he simply does not care how much additional suffering he inflicts on his victim’s family, he simply cares for himself.
Cyril, you know him - Is there anything at all that he has done in this process other than hide behind his fame, money, and lawyers like a coward and cause more suffering to his victims family? Anything at all which could be construed as demonstrating some sort of value system, integrity or sense of honor? I believe that since Billy Lane has demonstrated such a complete lack of regard for his fellow man and conducted himself as a coward afterwards - the best outcome would be for him to serve substantial prison time to be an example that even if you are famous and have expensive lawyers, if you habitually drive drunk and then kill someone you’ll have to pay the price.
MikeP
Mike, you make a compelling case and I agree with you. What I try to say since the beginning is that Billy is a nice guy who made terrible decisions: drinking and riding/driving with the consequences we know. What I hear & read is that people feel that because of fame & money he will get out of this. So, I guess the debate is about how much we trust our justice system. I think that Billy, like anyone, should pay for his mistakes. And I think he will.
How much faith do I have in our justice system? When it comes to names with money, not much. I.E. O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake et al Instead of spending and wasting the hundreds of thousands on legal help, Lane should be a man and compensate the Morelock family and do his time for the crime that he commited. Huze, why don’t you try talking some sense into your “bro”.
Cyril, I must give you a lot of credit for just making a comment on Billy Lane’s legal problems. You are the “ONLY” builder to make any comment. I must commend you. I have tried to get Paul Sr. of OCC to comment and had no such luck. Same for Jesse James. I think that there is a strong possibility that the BIKE BUILDERS want to stay as far away as they can from Billy Lane and Choppers Inc. We live in the USA and are allowed our opinions. Seems on this subject one either hopes that Mr. Lane gets off the criminal charges and that it goes away for him. The other side wants him to answer for his actions as any common citizen. If he does not have any conquenses for his actions on our highways I doubt that the civil suit will just go away. Choppers, Inc. says business as usual. I received a E-Mail from Bruce Rossemeyer regarding Biketoberfest it said Billy Lane would be there with a booth and signing autographs. Do you think there will be long adoring lines OR do you think Billy will decide to just stay home and continue as if nothing has happened?? One thing for sure Billy can not get on a chopper and do a burn out while Jack Daniels is being poured down his throat. If so and somebody gets a picture Billy will go straight to jail and not pass go because it is a violation of his bond. That means most likely he would be a guest at Brevard County jail till the criminal trial. Billy can not drive…..hense North Carolina has his Florida drivers license and they are suspended. One can see Bily did not care about not having license when he ran into Mr. Morelock on his interstate legal bike. If Billy was not driving after a day of partying and get in his loaner truck with suspended license we would not be having this debate. Billy showed disregard for the law. I agree with you, I think Billy will pay for his mistakes. I think the FHP made sure everything was done correctly. I think they crossed all t’s and dotted every i. Chain of command on the blood was followed to a t. My money is on FHP!! Besides that I heard that his lawyer Mr. Funk is not HOLLYWOOD good.
While I’m sure that Lane has his loyal followers that still want to see him no matter what he does, he would have to be a pure bonehead not to realize that any pub;lic appearance by him now would be straight disrespect for the Morelock family. Those close to Lane should offer him some guidance on the matter of guest appearances. Until he mans up to his crime, I for one do not want to be on the same road with Lane let alone at a bike event.
LA Rider, why dont you leave your name so we can dig up on you. I’m sure your not as rightous as you lead yourself to be. Everyone has heard what you have to say. Some agree, some disagree. You are being hypocritical now because you act like your a saint. Billy will face justice in court and in the eyes of god. The tragedy is that because of a terrible decision, TWO families are in shambles. I have met billy and his parents and his parents are good christians. God be with all involved
THAT’S WHERE YOU’RE WRONG BIKER T… i ain’t no saint, but I never killed a man…drunk or otherwise. And as far as Lane facing justice goes, well, are you to blind to see what’s happening? Lane has money, and he’s using it to AVOID justice. Lane commited a crime. He should man up to it. The Morelocks are seeking compensation. Instead of paying specialists and lawyers, Lane shouls pay the family of the man he killed. Is Lane innocent? If so, he’s doing the right thing. If not, he’s doing exactly what fake wannabe poser of a biker would do.
Looks like we are going to hear that Billy Lane was not driving. On the witness list presented by Kepler Funk on Billy Lane’s behalf Erin L. Derrick is listed as a witness. Go to MNO speaks web site to read more on the surprise witness. Justice is not the same for everybody. Already the State’s Attorney has dropped two of the charges. Billy had no license and that charge was dropped. The civil law firm representing Billy Lane and is being paid by Chrysler has already filed a motion to dismiss the Morelock families lawsuit. Billy is just going on like nothing has happened.
CYRIL………FIRST OFF YOUR TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR BRAVERY TO COMMENT ON THIS HOTLY DEBATED TOPIC….
I MIGHT ADD AT THIS TIME AS WELL THAT I TO AM A BUILDER….OF SOMEWHAT LESSER RECOGNITION THAN YOU BUT NONE THE LESS STILL ADMIRED IN MY OWN CIRCLES…
THIS IS HOW I SEE IT ……….THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT IN THE PAST 35 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN BUILDING CUSTOM BIKES I HAVE NEVER SEEN A LARGER EXPLOSION OF BUILDERS , PARTS , AND GENERAL INTEREST IN THE CUSTOM BIKE CULTURE IN GENERAL ……ATTENDANCE AT RALLYS IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH , MORE RALLYS ARE TAKING PLACE THAN EVER BEFORE , MORE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND MORE TALENTED INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING SHOWCASED VIA TELEVISION AND THE INTERNET THAT ANYONE WOULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED….WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.
AS AN INDUSTRY AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN IT IN SOME CAPACITY OR ANOTHER AND AS EXECUTIVES IN THE NETWORKS , MARKETING REPS , PARTS MANUFACTURERS , ETC I BELIEVE IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO POLICE OUR SO CALLED ” BROTHERS ” BY REINING THEM IN WHEN THEY START TO LET THEIR FAME AND SUCCESS CLOUD THEIR BETTER JUDGEMENT. MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL TAKE A STEP BACK AND REFLECT ON WHAT IT WAS THAT MADE MOST OF US PERSUE OUR PASSIONS IN THIS INDUSTRY TO BEGIN WITH.
AN ARGUEMENT CAN BE MADE REGARDING THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE INDUSTRY FOR EXPOSING OUR PASSION FOR CUSTOM BIKES AND THEIR ART FORM IN A POSSITIVE WAY , AND ON THE OTHER HAND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IN AN EFFORT TO DO SO BY FOCUSING ON A SELECT FEW INDIVIDUALS ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS THEY HAVE ALSO IN SOME SENSE…..CLOUDED THE REAL VALIDITY OF THE CULTURE…AND IN DOING SO HAVE CREATED THEIR OWN KIND OF MONSTER.
HARD DRINKING , HARD PARTYING , REDICULOUS STUNTING , UNCONTROLED BURNOUTS , NAKED WOMEN AND REDICULOUS ARGUEING AND IN FIGHTING ARE NOT UNBENOUNCED TO THE GENERAL POPULATION WHAT IS ACCEPTED AS THE NORM……AT LEAST NOT WHERE I COME FROM.
SO SHOULD WE SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS THAT INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR AS SPOKESPERSONS FOR OUR INDUSTRY IN GENERAL ? SHOULD WE AS FELLOW INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS ALLOW THEIR BEHAVIOR TO BE SANCTIONED AND TURN A BLIND EYE TO THEIR STUPIDITY AND DISREGARD ? SHOULD WE EXHONOURATE THEIR BEHAVIOR BY BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS OR THE PRODUCTS THEY ENDORSE?
LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES………THE ONES YOU MAKE BE THEY GOOD OR BAD SHOULD REFLECT IN THE TYPE OF RECOGNITION YOU DESERVE FOR YOUR EFFORTS….A WISE MAN ( MY FATHER) ONCE TOLD ME MANY YEARS AGO THAT THE TYPE OF MAN YOU ARE AND THE WAY YOU ACT IS A DIRECT REFLECTION ON YOUR CHARACTER.
SO IN CLOSEING I SAY THIS……….REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH FAME AND RECOGNITION , REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH MONEY , HOW MANY LAWYERS BILLY LANE HAS ………..A VERY BAD CHOICE MADE BY A MAN THAT LIVED A LIFESTYLE SANCTIONED AND ACCEPTED BY HIS PEERS , HIS SPONSORS , THE NETWORKS , HIS FRIENDS , FELLOW BUILDERS , AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM…….KILLED A MAN.
SHOULDNT WE ALL TAKE A LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT ? WHERE WERE HIS TRUE FRIENDS PRIOR TO ALL OF THIS HAPPENING? AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PEOPLE AT THE NETWORKS AND HIS TOUR SPONSORS AND THE FOLKS THAT HAD HIM ENDORSE THEIR PRODUCTS THAT MADE HIM THE MODERN DAY CHOPPER GOD? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE GOLDEN GOOSE THEY MADE HAS SADLY COOKED HIMSELF BECAUSE NO ONE HAD ENOUGH FORESITE TO KEEP HIM GROUNDED………….SO EVERBODY POINT YOUR FINGERS……….BUT POINT THEM AT YOURSELVES…..SHAME ON US ALL.
Smiley,
Your message and your analysis is remarkable and the most intelligent thing I have read online about this tragedy. As a matter of fact, last week I had a professional of the industry in my office and we were developing together the exact same concepts. I also just shared your words with my close collaborators and they also congratulate you for the quality and objectivity of your thoughts. I would really like to meet with you. Thanks for such testimony.
I must agree with Smiley as well. His comment was spoke well and correctly. It is by far one of the best and most objective. I would sit down with my 21 year old daughter and have that conversation. I commend you for taking the time to express your thoughts. Cyril you are the only Builder to comment and that indeed says a lot about you and your morals.
Thanks Sandie for the nice comment.
Thanks for the comments ……..With all the controversy surrounding this issue i’m glad to offer an alternative perspective. Tradgedy often times transforms itself into something positive…..I’ts our sincere hope that in this case we’ll all see proof of that in some form or another …. whatever way it plays out.Our family extends its sincere condolences to all partys involved. Everyone ride safe…..remember to have fun…..and keep an eye on your pals……like the add says…..FRIENDS DONT LET FRIENDS DRIVE DRUNK…………….
I think that Smiley’s comments were very well stated and reasoned.
However, I think that the one factor missing in his analysis is that the very behavior that got Mr. Lane in trouble is the key brand characteristic essential to promoting the “biker lifestyle” brand on TV that the draws the interest from the masses.
Do you really think that people would travel from miles around to buy t-shirts from Jesse James’ shop in Long Beach if there wasn’t some sense of guilty pleasure in being part of the “outlaw” lifestyle? They are not buying it just because it has a cool logo on it. Buy wearing a West Coast Choppers t-shirt they are making a statement, however thin and loosely based on reality, that they identify with the “outlaw” mythology, lifestyle, and attitude, even though it’s probably a far cry from their actual lifestyle. They are buying into a little bit of fantasy.
The only difference between Jesse James and Billy Lane is that Jesse created an entire mythology of being an “outlaw” by his very thin family lineage to actual outlaw Jessie James of Western lore and from hanging around with various outlaw types in Long Beach. As far as actual “outlaw” lifestyle, besides his tattoos, he couldn’t be further from an outlaw bike builder. He refers to himself a “welder”, not a master builder or media entrepreneur, and he tries to maintain his roots and identity in the blue collar lifestyle. Even though he doesn’t demonstrate any characteristics of an “outlaw” biker at all, somehow his WCC brand has been able to endure as a signature for wannabe chopper badasses and kids everywhere. If you are seeking role models, you couldn’t find a better, more sanitized “outlaw” biker than Jesse James. He has somehow been able to hold onto this image while becoming a role model for kids, re-introducing America to the value of the blue-collar industrial arts, creating educational materials on the history of hot rods and choppers via his television shows, documentary film and now his involvement with magazines. And all the while not displaying any outward lifestyle characteristics of a classic outlaw biker, like drinking, womanizing and doing smoky burnouts while having Jack Daniels poured down his throat.
Billy Lane on the other hand not only continued to be an actual “bike builder” building actual bikes, but he also lived the outlaw lifestyle in plain view of the public. He wasn’t trying to be a bad-boy outlaw biker, he WAS a bad-boy outlaw biker. While Jesse James stopped travelling to bike shows and interacting with the public (along with not building bikes anymore), Billy Lane continued to come to shows, and actually built bikes and rode them…and drunk heavily, womanized and generally partied like an outlaw biker. He should also be credited with helping to promote careers in welding and the bike industry through his Blood, Sweat and Gears tour, doing demonstration builds in front of audiences, and taking questions and generally interacting with the people. He could have chosen to fade into the role of a businessman and entrepreneur like Jesse James, creating extensions of his brand through television and other media, but he pretty much loved the lifestyle, the people and the bikes and the partying. If he didn’t have the name and TV show, he would have been like probably dozens of other hard-partying drinking-and-driving bikers at any one of these events. His tragic flaw was not realizing that by becoming a media star he also became a role model whether he liked the title or not. His unwillingness to change his lifestyle and tastes to accommodate this responsibility of being a role model was his undoing and led to the situation today.
I’ve never met either of these guys, but I’ve seen, heard and watched enough from the sidelines to at least have an informed opinion. I may be full of shit, but I find the whole outlaw biker mythology as promoted and ultimately beaten to death by Discovery Channel to be a really interesting study in our ideas about identity and the fantasy of the freedom of the biker “lifestyle”.
I agree that it’s 100% inexcusable for Mr. Lane to not have at least made some kind of a statement about the situation to his public, but I can guarantee that his lawyers have banned him from doing so.
Like most mentioned above, he deserves every bit of punishment he receives and we can only hope that at the end of it all that he channels his energy into a constructive public service campaign about drinking and driving. None of that will bring the victim back or bring his family any consolation though.
Willy………well stated…..i completely agree with your overall analogy……with one exception……..I have …in the past and even now for that matter known what you call bad boy outlaw bikers and for what its worth…….Mr Lane is as far from the real hardcore deal as its possible to be. He is however the “NEW” media version of the term ” Outlaw”. Where i come from the bad boys dont wear Sha Sha shoes and dreadlocks , designer wrist watches and bling bling jewlery……………but then thats just an observation from my side of the fence….that said …i think your comments are pretty much in tune with what alot of us are thinking regarding a certain percentage of the current crop of Icons and Heros of the chopper world…..I’d be particularly interested in knowing what the real Icons like Arlen ,Mondo, Donnie Smith , Ron Finch , Ron Simms to name a few are thinking about the current state of affairs and the image of the industry as it stands today in general ……… regards Smiley.
Smiley & Willy,
Although I don’t necessarely agree with some statements, both of you posted very interesting and intelligent comments. I wish that all posts in my blog reach the level of quality of yours. I would like to add one point about the builders mentioned. Jesse James & Billy Lane. As you can imagine, I know them, have traveled with them, have worked my booth next to them in shows, exhibition, rallies, here and abroad. In private, both are very nice & polite persons and I have always enjoyed seeing & being with them. Perception is sometimes very different from reality. All builders have a very different background, have a very different lifestyle during private times, behave differently front of the camera, build different style of bikes, etc. But we all appreciate & respect each other because we share the same love for custom motorcycles. It’s the beauty of our profession: to unite us through the same passion. In interviews, I often state that motorcycles are the greatest equalizer. On the road, we are all the same whatever our social status, our profession, our bike, our religion, our color, our national origin, etc. Front of a bike professional builders share the same emotions, hesitations, joys, frustration, joys again. Maybe now you better understand the meaning of my 1st post. It was about the sadness that such a tragedy brought to us. It was not about the facts of this tragedy. It was about tomorrow. I am still convinced that when it will be possible for him, Billy will turn all this in a positive message for all of us. All bikers should wish the same..
No matter how we shake a stick at this mess Billy has got himself into, we can not judge other people. We live in a modern day cast system and if you are in trouble and can afford a high priced, high powered lawyer that is most definitely the way to go. I am disappointed Jesse did not make any comment on this subject. I really did not expect Paul Teutel from OCC to make a comment. I did not burn CHOP FICTION. Billy personalized it to me and autographed the book. Nor did I throw away my “cutie” tops. That is childish. Many people can be in the same kind of trouble on any given night. I just wish Billy would have made some kind of a comment. Then…I thought I probably would not say anything. I read the FHP narrative of the accident and it was “chilling”. Those two kids that were coming home from a soccer game with their mother in the lead car that was being passed will forever have this horrific fatal accident etched in their mind. I doubt they will want to ride a Harley, feel the wind in their hair and sun on their face. That is “SAD”! Possibly the Chopper Builders do not comment because they want to distance their business far from Billy Lane. I know Billy’s parents. My daughter has sliced meat for them at Publix and waited on them at a cafe. His parents came in for breakfast and were on their bike. My daughter goes my Mom has a Fatboy then they told her they were Billy’s parents. My little college girl was so thrilled!!! They are good people and nice to wait on. I am sure they love their son and are proud of his sucess. One can not ever take away the fact that Billy Lane is a smart and well educated person. Shoot me but I liked some of his choppers but no way could I ever afford to buy one!!!!!
Not all people who ride are "OUTLAWS"!!! We have doctors, lawyers rednecks and there is no such thing as expecting a certain type to ride. Just look at all the "DIFFERENT" bikes on the highways.
Huze, you’ve said more than once that Lane will turn all this into a positive message. Well, I can’t think of one thing that he could do that might be considered positive at this point. He had his chance as a spotlight builder to be a positive force for the custom bike industry. He had another chance when he got caught up with the law for drunk driving in NC. But Lane apparently can’t think of anything or anybody but himself. He blew it. The best thing he can do for the bike industry now is fade quickly into obscurity, regardless of the outcome of his case.
In other words, Billy Lane should not become a bigger celebrity and make more money as some kind of poster boy spokesman against drunk driving. Lane’s word or endorsement of anything isn’t worth spit to me until he mans up to what he did.
Do “ANY” of you posters on this blog “REALLY” think that Billy Lane will have reputable companies sponsor him? I DON”T THINK SO.Dodge must be kicking themselves hard. Look at their liability exposure with this Lane accident.Parents are most likely not buying the T-shirts, ballcaps/books,beanies and so forth at CHOPPERS.INC. Besides that his items are more expensive than BRUCE ROSSEMEYERS HARLEY DEALERSHIPS. That’s sort of a joke. I doubt parents here are taking their kids in his store. Even if Billy is lucky I think his business has suffered severe revenues losses due to this accident. People must remember this accident was not on National News, little said on the radio and not much in the Florida newspaper. The people in the Melbourne area and the surrounding counties hear and see what is reported to the news. People in other states know nothing. I am having problems with the State of Florida’s Assistant District County dropping the charges regarding Lane’s drivers license suspension. To this date Lane’s Florida Drivers License are in Rowan County town of Salisbury, North Carolina’s possession. Lane must go thru North Carolina’s counter measure classes for DUI and attend AA and of course pay probation fees and then he must also pay North Carolina a reinstatement fee to get his driver’s license back. Norh Carolina is the suspending state. Thaaaaat must be done before Florida ever reinstates the drivers license here. Now all state’s have access to other states Drivers License bureau. You can hide a DUI or DWI. I remember the day Kentucky could susspend your drivers license and one could cross the Ohio River and get Ohio drivers license. NO MORE. I was reading the comment about Lane and the 22 year old Erin and I was surprised at her young age. Maybe…..AGE DOES NOT MATTER!!! Cyril, I want to go with you the next time you set up a booth by JesseJames and I hope his wife is there too. I’d work for free and sale your t-shirts. Lots of Laughs. What fun that would be. Better than a day of free shopping at Gucci!!!
Jesse James stopped participating to motorcycle events 4 years ago and is pursuing other activities. I bet with you that Billy will continue to build bikes because it is his ultimate passion. I also observe that America loves “come back” stories. Free help on my booth? Like that.
You got the FREE help anytime. I love biking functions. I can pay my way there and already have a fatboy.
Thanks.
I am awaiting your call!!!!!
LA RIDER, you must have it in for lane, did he offend you in any way? Yes he committed a horrible offense that left two families in crisis. What would you do in this situation, I bet you would do everything in your power to stay out of jail as is Billy is trying to do. I am in no way defending what he did, he committed a careless offense that cost the life of an individual and when his day in court comes the punishment will suit the crime as the LAW see’s fit. But get of your soap boxc, you sound like a person that wants to scrutinze everything another person has done and not yourself. I don’t know you, you don’t know me’ and you probably don’t know billy. But leave it alone already, all this will take care of itself, rich, poor, “celebrity”, or not, the judicial system will act accordingly
Agreed LA RIDER. It is the Americian way to save our butt!!!! I live in Sebastian, Florida. Choppers Inc. is about 22 miles north of me. I must say that when Billy is in the shop he is friendly and talks to everyone. He is well liked because he is down to earth. I do not believe that he charged mpney for his autographs at Bruce Rossemeyer’s. He signs anything you buy for free. I have copies of his “CHOP FICTION” that he personalized and autographed for Christmas. I must say that I really like Billy’s employees. I love Gina. She will go hunt and dig for any item you want if it is there. Billy goes to local places so most likely people have crossed paths with him and have spoke to him. Billy just made a terrible mistake.
“Billy just made a terrible mistake”??? He mistakely got into his truck without a license, he was mistakenly drunk, he mistakenly pulled out of his lane, mistakenly crossed double yellow lines and mistakenly passed multiple vehicles??? And he mistakenly rammed Gerald Morelock, head-on, mistakenly severed his legs and mistakenly crushed his skull and killed him? You are so typical of the twits out there who got their little Billy book with a little autograph and now he’s so nice and good and just made a teensy weensy little mistake. “Oh Gina is soo nice. She will hunt and dig and…” Give me a break! And as for people like you Gary, I am not the issue here. NOR HAVE I EVER KILLED ANYONE. This “careless offense” that you speak of… is that your candy-ass way of saying Lane commited a DUI MANSLAUGHTER? Well then SAY IT. People who commit DUI Manslaughter and try to weasel out of the punishment are spineless scum. The judicial system does not act accordingly. It’s not what the “court sees fit” you naive fool, it’s what the dollar sees fit. And Lane has many dollars. I ride, Gary, and I don’t like being on the road with idiots like Lane who might KILL ME.
Good intelligent comments Smiley, Wiley and Sandie. Cyril, thanks for taking the time to make a statement and answer questions on the issue. I hope I get the opportunity to meet you and photograph your work one day.
LA RIDER, “candy ass”, what the hell r u a profesional wrestler. I ride to numb nuts as most of the people in this blog. like everyone no one wants to ride with drunks on the road but this one so happens to be a “famous” bike builder. it could happens to be anyone, anywhere, and anytime. so for anyone to put someone down when they know that they did wrong is just pathetic. Don’t take these comments personal LA RIDER, if u do u need to go get a life, or just get on the road more often with your honda davidson
TO LA RIDER: I bet YOU have no friends. Billy made a BIG BIG Mistake and I want him to answer in a court of law the way the rest of us would do. I bet you did not make it any further than 8th grade. Yeah…I am with Garyc42660 you think you are a sumo wrestler. I think you were hatched on a fence post by a crow. You are so ignorant…..I should not have commented on your reply. I bet the next drunk we read about is “YOU”!!!!!! This could have happened to anyone at anytime. I feel deeply for Mr. Morelock’s family. They would rather have him than any amount of money that will most likely be awarded. Billy has the right to hire a lawyer and defend himself even if what he did was wrong. Billy should never have been on the road. I feel for Billy’s family too. You belong in Communist Cuba or Nazi Germany. I bet you did not even go vote….probably not smart enough to read the ballot or can not vote because you are a convicted FELON. You have a good day HONDA BOY!!!!!!!!!! GET A LIFE…. oops you are a miserable thing!!!!! Stay off the roads nobody wants you there anyway.
Garyc42660 I Think LARIDER is JEALOUS of Billy Lane. If he had Billy’s education maybe he would have better comments. Don’t know why he has so much hatred for Billy??????????
ATTENTION: Mr. Morelock was legally drunk too. Mr. Morelock should not have been driving anything. Mr. Lane was just drunker when the accident happened and did not have drivers license. Mr. Lane should not have been behind the wheel of his truck and Mr. Morelock should have called a cab or a buddy to drive him home. Read this in Florida Today.
As with all the other Lane ass-kissers, you all skirt the issue. You obviously do not realize the damage that this one irresponsible jerk has done to the bike building industry. Fortunately you leg-riders are in the minority. And Gary, if Lane knows he did wrong, why doesn’t he man up and deal with it? Big contradiction there, tough guy. Why doesn’t he compensate the family of the man he killed rather than trying to buy himself out of trouble? And Sandie dear, the victim’s BAC is not the issue in this case. Is it? “Mr. Lane was just drunker…” Real intelligent Sandie.
I’m so ignorant, I have no friends, I have no life, I ride a Honda Davidson…you Billy-Butt-Kissers are entertaining. I have no hatred for Lane. I do have hatred for panty-ass posers who can show up at Biketoberfest to pacify their own ego but can’t show up in court.
TO LARIDER: WE are all in agreement “YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS OF BILLY”!!!!!!! Nobody is a butt kisser but YOU. Go to Cuba or North Korea if they let you in. That is doubtful!!! Actually maybe Haiti would be better for you. You can ride the HONDA DAVIDSON through the garbage littered streets. If Mr. Morelock would of called a cab and not been on the road drunk, he would most likely not be dead. If Billy let Erin drive he would not be in this mess because the wreck would probably not have happened. Go write your communist newspaper now!!!!!!
Oh yeah, keep showing your ignorance there Sandie. Skirt the issue, call me names and keep saying it was the victim’s fault for being on the road in front of Lane. Idiot.
What the hell does communism have to do with anything here, you twit???
I live in the same county as Billy and I read and listen with interest on any updates on the case. My sincerest sympathies go out to the Morelock family. With two big holidays around the corner I’m sure this is a particularly hard time for them.
I have ZERO sympathy for Billy. He broke all the rules resulting in the death of an innocent man. The issue came up this week that Mr. Morelock was impaired as well - and yes, I agree, he should not have been on the road as either. However, his little bike was no match for Billy’s HUGE Dodge, period. Oh and guess what - Mr. Morelock didn’t kill anyone prior to being dismembered and killed on his little two lane hometown stretch of road. Billy was not just breaking ONE law, he was breaking them all. And from what I understand it was all in the name of getting a little piece of a$$.
As for Erin Derrick being on the defense’s witness list, I wouldn’t count on it. You see, we can look any resident’s traffic or criminal record on our Brevard County Clerk of Courts website. Little Miss Erin has quite an extensive criminal traffic rap-sheet for the length of her short driving career. Two of the big ones being driving on a suspended license herself, AND just last summer (2005) a DUI. I’m no attorney but I have a feeling all her credibility flies right out the window with that blight on her record. After all, DUI/Non-capital Murder is the major issue here.
Billy’s lawyers have earned their money keeping Billy out of court and jail, and spending not only Billy’s money to do so but us taxpayer’s as well by delaying court dates etc, and creating more red tape within the system. I’m really praying Billy is shown no mercy as he showed none to Mr. Morelock or any other biker on the road by setting foot in his Loaner Dodge drunk that Labor Day evening and driving so agressively.
I understand he’ll have his day in court, and some of you think “who am I to judge?”. Well as far as I’m concerned he’s as guilty as the day is long - especially after the circumstances of the scene of the crime came out. A man is dead because of his criminal actions - no need for a day in court to convince me of that.
What an interesting blog. Sandie, I have to take an issue with your comment about Gerald Morelock being on the road impaired as well. You’re right…he shouldn’t have been driving DUI. Neither should have Billy…with a suspended license he shouldn’t have been driving at all…and crossing a double yellow (illegal pass)…and speeding. And driving a massive killing machine. However, I doubt if Erin, the stripper, was any more sober than Billy was that night. So taking the keys from him probably wasn’t an option. Given her driving record, she is as much of a danger on the roads as Billy is. I’m sure Billy could have afforded a cab way more than Mr. Morelock could have.
Your mentality scares me because I think this is just the defense they are going to take…the victim deserved it. Well, I don’t think he did deserve to die so horribly, just because Billy wanted his piece of a$$ quicker. Billy knew those roads like you know the roads you drive everyday, and should have known those laws were in place for a reason. If you’ve ever driven after having a few drinks, aren’t you MORE conscience of road rules?
I live in Melbourne, and have two stepsons that travel that stretch of road on a regular basis to go fishing in Sebastian Inlet. If Billy had mowed down either one of them that night, I would want to see justice served, and would work hard to make that happen. I don’t think I’m a vindictive person either, but I believe Billy is continuing his partying ways and this tragedy hasn’t affected him at all. I don’t know him either, but I found it interesting that Erin’s myspace account was also deleted just after the accident…after she showed pics of her and Billy in a bar the week of his arrest.
He might be a ‘really nice guy’ but he has screwed up badly. I guess it’s human nature to save yourself, but I am losing some faith in the justice system, when money allows you to avoid the consequences of your actions.
yes, neither of them should have drove, i’m not defending either in my previous comments. Billy does desevere to go to jail, will he? we don’t know, my point is that if any of us were in this situtation we all would feel like pieces of shit, but i gurrante that we would all be trying to stay out of jail. the fact of the matter is that there is nothing we can do about it, spouting off at the mouth wither defending or condeming billy’s action or not its out of our hands. All we can do is let the judicial system do its job. And for all you that have been posting negative comments regarding Cyril, then you guys need to realize that this the ONLY “famous/celebrity” builder with enough gall/fortitude and step-up and make any comment regarding this issue. and for allthose that have posted negative comments in regards to cyril, you guys need to realize that he put is name out there and needs to commened
Thanks for reminding me Gary4c:
Thanks, Cyril for being a great host, and allowing us to “express”.
Sincerely,
rhondita
Lock em up: I agree with ABSOLUTELY everything you said. Most people lost faith in the justice system when OJ Simpson got off murdering his ex-wife and her friend. Then people lost even more faith when Robert Blake got off. Yes, indeed Billy Lane knew that stretch of A1A like the back of his hand. Gerry Morelock knew that stretch of A1A too. I want Billy Lane to answer in a court of law the same as you and I would. I just do not begrudge him because he can afford to hire a legal team. We would all hire the best lawyer we could if we were in BIG trouble. I am a big supporter of MADD.I pay attention to the highway at all times!!! I obey traffic laws. We must always worry about the other driver. I am shocked at how many people drive with suspended drivers license. I am not aware of Erin’s driving record but like you “WHY” would she close her “MY Space” account? I DO NOT IN ANYWAY feel sorry for Billy. Yes… I hope they throw the book at him. Jail would be good…not stoning him in the middle of town. I can not believe Erin rode some 22 miles on the back of his chopper sitting on the fender. Then got in his loaner truck for a fifteen mile drive to his home. IT must have been a very scary ride!!!! You know that Dodge is regreting loaning him that truck. Dodge should have picked it up IMMEDIATELY after the North Carolina DUI and for sure when Billy’s license were suspended. There is “NO” doubt Billy screwed up and had absolutely NO REGARD for the law. His Florida drivers license taken in Salisbury, North Carolina in Rowan County by the arresting officer are still there at the Clerk of Courts. Billy knew he should not be driving. I am saddened for the Morelock family because I doubt they had a clue Gerry Morelock was drunk too. When you are drunk your reflex action is slower. Gerry was riding his bike correctly. Billy Lane was breaking numerous laws and very careless. RHONDITA: You are correct too. Erin most likely will say she was too drunk to remember anything. If she does remember something I would not believe her and I doubt a jury will believe anything she has to say. Erin works at a bank in Cocoa. Does she have a part time nude dancing job too??? Please answer that if you know the correct answer.Please do not worry about my mentality.. the person who caused the accident is the one who answers to the law. FHP did the investigation and I have faith that they crossed every t and dotted every i.and followed all rules of chain of command on evidence. FHP is the cream of the crop and accident investigations are their speciality.I say that FHP will prevail.I say Billy Lane will do at least fifteen years. MR LARIDER if you go to the top of this blog you will see that “YOU” are the one who started the name calling to everybody and nobody called you anything till you started. We live in the United States of America and are entitled to think what we want to think about anything. Call up the State’s Attorney ask for any of the Assistant State’s Attorneys or talk to Norm the State’s Attorney, they will tell you that no matter who you are these cases usually take a year to eighteen months to get to trial. There is a family that will not have a loved one with them on the holidays. It is a sad situation that everyone wishes had not happened because Gerry Morelock’s life was cut short. LARIDER: In communist countries you are convicted without a trial by a jury of your peers and then go before the firing squad. I have never said that it was Morelock’s fault…if you could read…. you would see that I said Morelock should not have been driving because he was drunk. NOBODY SHOULD DRIVE DRUNK!!! The BAC results are Morelock’s and Lane’s fault “THEY” drank the booze and the results are what they “Are”. Billy Lane has the right to a fair trial. LARIDER you are not a BIKE BUILDER so how do you know that Mr. Lane’s DUI/Manslaughter charge has hurt the other BIKE BUILDERS business? I say…..again you are wrong. Their business has not changed because of Billy Lane. Billy has and never had anything to do with their business. I am sure they are selling as many T-Shirts and building the same amount of bikes!!!! They are sticking by Billy till he is convicted and will probably visit him in jail. Ask any of them if they will TALK TO YOU!!!!!!!
EVERYBODY: READ WHAT CYRIL HUZE WROTE AT THE START OF THIS BLOG AND THEN READ WHAT CYRIL WROTE ON NOVEMBER 1. LARIDER THIS IS FOR YOU TO ANSWER:”IS CYRIL A BILLY BUTT KISSER TOO???”
Everybody go to the site MNO SPEAKS and click on Last comments and look at Billy Lane flipping the bird to everyone. He is sitting on a chopper and flips the bird under it states to all you billy haters!!! Now that is a guy who is showing no remorse and his lawyer is going to need to have depends on because Mr. Kepler Funk is going to crap in his pants!!!!!! If Billy was advised to lay low……this is not the way to do it.
It has been reported that the decedent in the case and Gerry Morelock had in his system a blood-alcohol content of .133 when he was killed. Billy Lane had in his system a blood-alcohol content of .192 at the time that he crashed into Gerry Morelock.
Michael Odom has asked me to comment on how the fact that Gerry Morelock had a blood alcohol content of .133 may affect the case one way or another.
The fact that the decedent, Mr. Morelock, was legally intoxicated should have no consequences on the criminal or civil aspects of the case based upon the evidence I have read so far. There is no evidence that Mr. Morelock did anything to cause the crash in which he was killed, and he had the right of way in the lane that he was in.
Unless some witness comes forward and says that it was Morelock who swerved into Billy Lane’s lane, I do not see any problems with any of the cases.
Mr. Morelock it appears was legally drunk. However, he still had a right not to be killed on a Public Highway due to the negligence of another.
I once did a case for a woman who was legally drunk with six kids in her van. She was rear ended and injured by a guy in a truck. She was arrested and convicted for DUI after the accident.
I obtained a large settlement for her in a civil case because she was not at fault in the rear end accident. I am sure the same thing will happen in the Billy Lane Case.
I am sure that everyone remembers the OJ case, and the Robert Blake case. There is no doubt that the defense will try to attack Mr. Morelock anyway they can. Unfortunately it’s easy to attack someone who is no longer alive to defend themselves. This may have some affect on the jury. In the end we will see.
There is no doubt in my mind based upon the evidence that I have read that Gerry Morelock would still be alive today but not for the actions of Billy Lane. However I must state, that in this country everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ultimately it will be up to a jury of his peers to determine whether Billy Lane is guilty in the criminal case and liable for damages in the civil case.
I will soon write an article on the potential liability of Dodge Corp. with respect to negligent entrustment.
By Norman Gregory Fernandez, ESQ.
Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog / Blawg
http://www.bikerlawblog.com
Although Mr. Morelock was legally drunk, he had the right not to be killed on a Public Highway due to the negligence of another. However, this appears to be a possible 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) lesson to be learned here: reaction times are increased under the influence. If there is any chance of performing evasive maneuvers to avoid a head on collision, there are decreased dramitically under the influence. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. My heart goes out to the moorlock family. God bless you.
I’m not going to condemn Billy for this bad judgement, for I have done some pretty stupid things in life myself. ESPECIALLY under the influence.
P.S. for those that may comment that although I have done some pretty stupid things, I haven’t killed anyone…..that’s called luck, and part of the “coulda” in the above post.
sandie, i think my first Oct. response sums it up. And that photo you speak of is simply proof of everything that I say about Lane. But you and the few others with you can hang onto that Billy bandwagon. It’s heading for a wreck.
GOOD GRIEF LA RIDER:I AGREED WITH YOU ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. YOU DID NOT DO ANY NAME CALLING. I AM NOT HANGING ON A BANDWAGON. I WANT BILLY TO PAY THE PRICE!BILLY LANE HAD NO REGARD FOR THE LAW…OTHER PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY OR EVEN HIS PASSENGER. FIFTEEN YEARS IN JAIL WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. WELL DESERVED. I asked Norman Gregory Fernandez Esquire to post his comments on this site. Gentleman that Mr. Fernandez is…..he posted. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN……..YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING SAID IN YOUR LAST POST.
Sandie: Nope and nope. I have no knowledge of Erin’s current careers, but Banking and Stripping sounds like a good niche.
Oh yes, and I meant to commend you earlier: Thank you Norman Gregory Fernandez, ESQ. for your expert opinions. I sincerely look forward to your follow-ups with regards to this blog.
I as well look forward to Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. follow-up. I appreciate how fact you posted here after I requested you to do so.
I was at Norm Fernandez Esquire’s site and he has his article written about Dodge’s liability. I E-Mailed Mr. Fernandez and he is going to post his article here on Cyril’s site. After you read what Mr. Fernandez wrote, I bet “EVERYBODY” will think twice before they had keys to their keys to “ANYBODY”!!!!
Hello All, here is the article I wrote on my Blog:
The tort of negligent entrustment in simple language means that you were negligent by allowing a person or persons to use your property such as a car, motorcycle, etc.
Negligence is a legal term of art. It would be very difficult to explain negligence to a non-attorney. However I will try.
Negligence in simple language, is that one person owes a duty of due care to another person, and breaches that duty of due care thus causing damages. The key to negligence is that it must be reasonably foreseeable to an ordinary prudent person that the conduct will result in damages. I will be frank, negligence is much more complicated than the description I just gave, however it will suffice for the purposes of this article.
An example of simple negligence would be one person not paying attention and rear ending another person in their car. The person who did the rear ending would be liable in most circumstances for negligence.
With respect to negligent entrustment, I will give you an example of where you could be held liable for this tort. Let’s say you loan your car to a person who has a suspended driver’s license. Let’s say this person subsequently gets into a car accident. You would most likely be held liable for the damages caused in the accident, because you owed a duty of due care to ensure that you did not loan your car to a person with a suspended driver’s license. In other words, you were negligent by allowing a person with a suspended drivers license to use your car.
Another example would be loaning your car to a person who was obviously intoxicated, who then subsequently gets into an accident. You can be held liable for negligent entrustment for loaning you car to a drunk.
There is a vast array of possible scenarios in which you could be liable for the tort of negligent entrustment. It’s not rocket science, it’s really about common sense. The purpose of this article is just to make you aware of the tort.
Basically it’s a matter of common sense. If you are going to loan a person your car, motorcycle, or other property, you better make sure they have a driver’s license and automobile insurance before you give them the keys unless you’re not concerned about being legally liable for their actions.
I then wrote a response to Sandie with regards to the Billy Lane and the Dodge case as follows:
A common ploy in DUI cases is for persons to refuse to submit to a breath test or blood test because they know they are either drunk or under the influence of a controlled substance. In California failing to submit to a breath test is an automatic license suspension. The same probably holds true for other States as well. I am only licensed to practice law in California, and before the United States Court Central District, (Federal Court) therefore I am not going to comment on another States laws.
The bottom line is that no one should loan a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle to a person with a suspended license because it would be negligent to do so. Hence, Dodge is being sued in the Billy Lane Case!
It goes beyond that! Let’s say that Lane did not have a suspended license but he had a history of moving violations or negligent driving. Dodge could also be held liable for negligent entrustment if they loaned a car or truck to a person with a known history of bad driving! That is what the duty of due care is! Each person has a duty of due care to do what a reasonable person would do under similar circumstances. Is it reasonable to loan your car to someone without checking them out?
It will up to a Court and a Jury to decide!
Norm
Fuel for thought “EVERYONE”!! You might want to think about the above article before you hand “ANYBODY” your car keys. We are responsible for our actions. Our actions have conquenses.
Interesting
I know Billy somewhat through the years and have seen him change his crowd of “friend’s” through the that time (From when he started out)for in my opinion the worse.This so called outlaw image that seem’s to be so important well when you boil that down to what it really is in real life it’s not anything to be proud of at all.That is my point look who travel’s with Billy who work’s in his shop Who his close personnal friend’s are.Member’s of a well known outlaw GANG.Look what happened to one of his best friend’s a covicted and still active big time drug dealer.Shot by his girl friend dead.Dodge could have found all this out easy and maybe the Moorelock’s will.Karma is a real thing and it just caught up with you Billy.May justice prevail and you get a few year’s to get regrounded.You cant conspire with the Devil and not get burned.
Who is Billy”s gang friends? Who is his best friend that is a convicted drug dealer? Is the friend in jail and dealing drugs from jail? Who was shot dead and by the girlfriend? I agree that Dodge should have checked out who they loaned their trucks too and checked on them monthly to make sure that the person they loaned their trucks to had valid drivers license. Hense, read the above article by Esquire Norm Fernandez…..a good read that hopefully will make people think before they give somebody keys to their cars. Who works in Billy’s shop that is so bad?? Yes…EVERYONE hopes that JUSTICE will prevail in the death of Mr. Morelock. In Florida is not a matter of who was drunk or drunker, the person who caused the accident answers for the crime.
Sandi.You make it sound like you have contact or are around Mr Lane so why the obvious questions on Who.Read a little closer the drug dealer is DEAD not in prison{It was on Court TV)If you are in any way around the motorcycle crowd in Indian River or Brevard then you should be able to put names to the statements.I get the feeling you are more of a star struck fan than a informed member in the riding crowd.
One more.I totaly agree with L.A. Rider and all he has said further more I feel that people in Billy’s position (celebrity?)should face harsher penelties for screwing up.Let the people that are influenced by these people know that what they or I do is not OK and that there will be consequenses to face.Not buy your way out or pull some favor in to escape another mistake in judgement.I hope that Billy feel’s more than bad about what he has done.Somehow though knowing what I know I dont think that is the case (Flipping that bird isnt remorse)The judge should see that one.
not really sure why i’m responding to this forum or even reading it because i absolutely hate how everyone on the internet always plays judge, jury and executioner. most people who post online typically think they are right and everyone else is wrong, or they are just full of stupidity and ignorance (ie larider/sandie), they tend to just speak before they think. i don’t think anyone here knows all the info of this situation other than what they have read about it. obviously, the major fact is undisputable. billy broke several laws and inadvertanly killed a man. i’m going to come out and say that billy lane has always been my favorite bike builder and i have had the opportunity to meet him a few years back. his fate is not for me to decide or even speculate about. jail,rehab,community involvement,parole,donating money,public speaking and/or compensating the victim’s family are possibilites for him and he should get whatever the courts decide. this is a terrible situation he has put himself in and i don’t feel sorry for him, but i do feel bad that he is going through this as i’m sure it has affected him in a very negative way. i just hope this type of life altering incident doesn’t drive him to drink more and act more foolishly in the future (if he stays out of jail or when he gets out). billy needs to use this terrible incident to help kick his bad habits and decision making. i won’t sit here and persecute a man for making such decisions to get into that truck and drive as i honestly don’t think he was in the right frame of mind to make such a decision. i don’t think he could decipher right from wrong at that moment in his alcohol induced state. regardless, he did do it. myself and probably almost everyone of my friends growing up, in college and even today have made the same choice at some point. i would be willing to bet just about everyone that has posted here has done the same. only difference is, we didn’t get caught doing it. it didn’t seem like such a bad decision at the time and we continued to do it because we never got caught. yeah, billy got caught before but never really got into any serious trouble until now. let’s remember too, that even though his license was suspended at the time, he had already gotten out of that charge in north carolina. today, i’m much more careful about driving after even having a few drinks as my priorities have changed and have a family of my own. one thing i do know and agree with one of the other writers in this forum, is that if this same situation happened to me, i would do everything i could to stay out of prison. i can’t imagine a worse fate than ending up there. i think if anyone says they disagree with trying to stay out of prison, they are just lieing to me and themselves. anyway, i’ve had friends who’ve had a dui and one of my friends lost his wife in a motorcycle accident. i’ve seen how these situations can affect people first hand. there’s no way you can imagine how billy or the victim’s family feel unless you’ve been through it. i feel bad for the family and i understand they are going through a lot of emotions right now and probably some hatred towards billy. he will never go another day of his life without remembering that accident, and yes it was an accident. even though bad choices were made, there is no way billy said, “hey erin, watch me drive into this guy and kill him”, it wasn’t cold blooded murder. i think you get what i’m saying. anyway, after a lot of rambling on, the point i’ really trying to make is before you open your mouth and say something, put yourself into that situation and think about it. let’s not stone anyone in this time, but mourn the lost and console the victims (both families). let’s let the court system figure out the best punishment, and at that time if you have something to say about the verdict, feel free to voice your opinion about that once all the dust has settled. no bad mouthing or anything else you say is going to change what happened. like i said before, i hope the vicim’s family is compensated accordingly and really hope billy will get himself the proper help he needs and changes some of his lifestyle because if he doesn’t, then we will see he really didn’t learn anything and should be locked up for life. thanks for taking the time to read long post.
tragedy is the only word i can use thats all i can say about it i wasnt there …tragedy
Good post JO. I totally agree with the way that was all summed up.
I am/was a Billy lane fan and I agree that what he did was wrong and he should pay the price in jail. We have all done stupid things and fortunatly it did not involve killing anyone. Everyone on this page would agree that if they were in any sort of trouble they would spend any amount of money to stay out of jail - Billy just has a lot more of it than most of us and can afford to have 4 high powered, high priced lawyers. I think Billy should pay for what he did just as any of us would have to. Everyone in this blog makes very good points except for the Honda-Davidson rider L.A. RIDER you are just a friggin idiot.
the tragic case of billy lane, is just that tragic,, for all involved,,, for those who bad mouth billy lane,, that is their right,,, I would be upset if it would have been one of my family members,, or friends,,, but i agree with you billy did represent the biker industry,,and family,,, good and bad,,,.. Most of the modern day biker heroes,, had or have legal skeletons in their closets,,, Indian Larry,, did time,, drugs and alchol,,, jesse james,,, no saint,,, Sonny from the Hell’s angels,, a sordid past,, even the goofballs the teutle’s from occ,, have a drinking past, which you don’t see thanks to t.v. gods who dont show their past,,, billy is only human,, he, just like anyone else will try to defend them selves,, not a matter of stepping to the plate and taking responsibility,, it’s about what is done is done,, and trying to not go to prison,,I agree once the court aspect is over no matter the outcome,, billy will do what he can to make amends,, to educate,,, and help others learn from his so very costly mistake,,,… billy’s intention was not to harm anyone let alone cause a death,, he like thousands of other, after the negative influence of booze,, made a poor deadly decision,, …He will live with that,, all his life…
just what WAS lane’s intention? and costly mistake? i don’t think so. lane commited crimes. of course my harsh and direct point of view ois going to offend you lane sympathizers. fortunately, you who ride his leg are in the minority. you all try to sound fair and impartial but you all have a hard time seeing the victim’s side. or the potential future victim’s side should Lane go free with the help of his lawyers. the last post by rick g says that “billy will do what he can to make amends.” hello rick…the victim is seeking compensation. but lane’s money is going to his lawyers so he won’t have to do time for his crime. like all who sugar-coat lane’s manslaughter, you contradict yourself. and you all say “billy will have to live with this”… who cares what he lives with. i care about having to live with the possibility that this jerk may be free to drunk-drive head-on into me. get a clue you morons.
You must hang with a totally different biker crowd L.A. Rider, I find it hard to believe you can be a biker (unless you watch the Discovery channel and call yourself a biker) and not know fellow riders that have made mistakes under the influence of alcohol. There is not one single person on this blog that has said that what Billy Lane did was wrong. Guess what - your still an idiot!
AMEN TO CHRIS T!!!!!!!! LA RIDER you might get crashed into on your Honda-Davidson and I bet you would sue too. Or if you hit someone on your Honda-Davidson and killed them you would pay as much as you can to defend yourself from jail. Are you a boy or girl??? People are asking over on BIKERS VOICE FORUM. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR YOU. Now do your name calling.
BILLY LANE DID WRONG! BIG,BIG MISTAKE. I hope he goes to jail and dries out and thinks of his actions causing the death of a human being. TAR AND FEATHER HIS ASS!!! I hope his many high priced lawyers lose.
why look for me? these are public anonymous forums where people speak their minds. chris, you’re just like every other billy-butt-kisser out there. easily to get your panty in a knot and you skirt the issue by talking about me. waaaaaaaaaaah…
“… billy’s intention was not to harm anyone let alone cause a death” Rick said this and leads me to think that he knows what lane’s intention was. I simply asked. So Chris, what in hell does my riding crowd have to do with anything about the topic? I guess you’re a big bad biker huh? A real one-percenter. ooooooooh.
LARIDER: I am afraid you are the “FRIGGIN” idiot. I do not know anyone who would ride with you. Do you ride? I bet the Honda-Davidson sits in the garage. I also want to know if you are a boy or a girl. You sound like a hateful cry baby. Waaaaaaaaaaaaa to u as well. I bet when you were a kid that nobody was allowed to play with you. Are you bi-polar?? We are looking for you so we can laugh at your ignorant rants and raves. You really can not be as stupid as you act…….if you are they have a BAKER ACT LAW in the State of Florida……hope that they do not come after you with butterfly nets and handcuffs. I am coming back here just to read your stupid reply. HA!!!!!!!!!!! FRIGGIN GOOFY HONDA-DAVIDSON biker.
amzingly we have one thing in common. i come back to read the moronic posts of big bad hard core bikers like you and the others. keep posting. you are pure entertainment…and yet another jackass who can’t stay on topic. anyone else (or the same couple idiots under different screen names) in need of name-calling rather than address the issue, post right below me.
It would appear the entertainment is you larider,,. it appears that if people disagree with you,, they are billy lane but kissers,,,, its a good thing you wont be picked to prosecute him on trial,, you would probably lose,, as it appears you are just a ranter,,, me,, i ride a HD,,, dont particularly like billy’s bike designs,,, that isnt the issue,, the issue is the guy did wrong,, no one argues that,, and the majority believe he should make restitution,,,,, what we are saying in our legal system,, there is a jury trial by a panel of his peers who will decide his fate,, and he has the right to hire the most expensive defense he, can,, so as not to be hung by blood thirsty morons like you,,,I still stand by my belief,, that he did not intend to kill anyone,,, his first illegal act , while being of clear mind was to drive,, without a legal license,,, the other crimes,, passing , weaving driving ,,all that was alcohol induced,,, i believe his intention was to get to where he was going,,,, the first thing you lose when you drink is the ability to make sound decisions,, alcohol is an addiction,, take a couple of classes,, and learn,,,… We all agree,, that he should pay the piper for what has occurred,,… just not the way you hooded covered vigilantes would have him pay,,,, doofus
excellent post JO,, couldnt agree more,, I just read what you had written,, the same I think what most of us are trying to say only you said it better,,,,,
it’s because of jerkoffs like you that the billy lanes, robert blakes, oj simpsons, michael jacksons and kobe bryants etc of this society get off free. all of the aforementioned are prime examples that money overrides justice. so you keep on waiting for that fair trial, jackass. and when wrong-lane billy lane gets off, maybe it’ll be your “HD” that gets hit and your legs severed and your life ended. i can throw out names too dickwad.
Jo wrote a book. Kinda repetive book. Rather boring and dull…never be interviewed on Today or OPRAH that is for sure. Yes Billy deserves the best defense he can pay for and he should have a jury of his peers. Maybe we can sit the Biker Buildoff Guys. Oh NO… we can not do that most of them do not live in Brevard County Florida. Billy was drunk and KNEW he had no license. Mr. Morelock should still be alive but because of Billy being above the law and no respect or regard for the law Mr. Morelock is dead. LARIDER you are a pussy…question is are you boy or girl? EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW. Does the Honda-Davidson have a personalized gay pride flag on it???? NOPE, I bet the gas tank has the gay pride flag on it. I bet the reason you hate Billy so bad is you want Billy’s body and he ain’t interested. LARIDER IS A NAME CALLER>>>>>>HAS NO FRIENDS>>>>>>>IS A PERSON WHO RODE THE SHORT BUS TO SCHOOL!!!!
I almost forgot BILLY BOY WAS IN A BIG HURRY TO GET LAID>>>>>>>>>> thus we have a DEAD man.
LARIDER is indeed entertaining. He must be on vacation.
I hate to weigh in on this but I feel compelled to. sandie you should check your facts before you rant. A simple searc on google would have lead you to news paper articles where the D.A. and lead investigator explain why Billy was not immediately arrested. I’d explain it to you but this would be a good exercise in researching something before you post. I could not agree more with Cyril on this subject. Billy is also a friend of mine and always will be. The accident was a tragedy.
Sandie now that I’ve read all these posts I can tell that yours are not the worst. Just a little uninformed which isn’t a crime. I can’t say that for some of the others. My best wishs go out to the Morelock family. Their loss must be a heavy burden to carry.
DJ CHOPPER GOD I would not be braggin about being a friend of BILLY LANE the UNLICENSED DRUNK DRIVER WHO WAS IN A BIG HURRY TO GET LAID. LANE PASSED ON A DOUBLE LINE OVERTAKING THREE CARS> DID THE DRUNK THINK HE WOULD GET TO HIS BED QUICKER WITH THE LITTLE GIRL MOST PROBABLY SUCKING HIM OFF. HIS DICK WAS PROBABLY STITCHED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM>. SANDY IS BY FAR NOT THE WORSE POSTER HERE. I BET IF BILLY BOY KILLED U THAT YOUR FAMILY WOULD SUE LANE’S SORRY DRUNK ASS TOO> NOTE HOW CHOPPERS INC> WEB SITE CHANGED> READ BILLY THE UNLICENSED DRUNK DRIVER CHOP FICTION BOOK> BILLY LANE IS A PIECE OF SHIT> I BET YOU’D SUE HIS SORRY ASS IF HE HAD KILLED SOMEBODY IN YOUR FAMILY> SANDY IS JUST GUILTY OF SPENDING $ ON LANE”S FLEA MARKET JUNK SO HE CAN PAY HIS HIGH$ LAWYERS. LANE SHOULD BE STONED IN PUBLIC. HOW WAS SANDY MISINFORMED? I MUST BE MISINFORMED TOO> I SAW THE PICTURE OF THE ARRAGOANT KILLER FLIPPING THE BIRD AT THE BILLY HATERS AND THERE ARE MANY> AS LARIDER SAYS YOU ARE A BILLY BUTT KISSER!
LARIDER IS THE RANT ON THIS BLOG NOT SANDY> LARIDER WILL BE CALLING YOU NAMES UNLESS YOU ARE HIM UNDER ANOTHER SCREEN NAME?
Wow thanks for that dude. Misinformed in the sense that if they charged him immediately they would not be able to charge him with the more serious crime. Only a traffic ticket would have been issued smart guy. Once I read all the comments I came to the same conclusion regarding Sandie. She is certainly entitled to her opinion. For that matter so are you. Look if one of your friends F%cked up big time what would you do shun him?
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:36-38)
” Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3)
Puckinbuzzard read into that what you will, after all your entitled to that opinion of yours.
Wow thanks for that dude. Misinformed in the sense that if he was charged on the spot he would only have got a traffic ticket smart guy. After reading all the posts I kinda got the idea that Sandie wasn’t the ranter, or a bad person. She is entitled to her opinion as are you. Let me ask ya this, if you had a friend who F%CKED up big time would you turn your back on them? I suppose Cyril Huze is an a%s kisser as well? Look I didn’t come here to sling names at people on a website. I just to wanted check out what Cyril is interested in because I dig his work, and yes I like Billy’s as well. He’s always went out of his way to be kool to me, and has offered help with bikes from time to time. Like Cyril said “it’s a tragedy for everybody involved. The only difference between you & me is that I know Billy. It doesn’t make any difference for his responsibilty”. “What I ( Cyril ) meant is that you never wish that it happens to somebody you know (Billy or the victim). Billy will have very soon his day in court. Justice will be done like it would be for you or me”. I think that says it all. But if that doesn’t make sense to you then maybe the quote scripture will. Either way your still entitled to your opinion.
If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke Chapter 17
Cyril sorry about the two posts in a row but some how I thought the first one got erased when I flipped to another page and came back to this one. Either way hopefully I