Again, don’t ask me and don’t expect that I make personal comments regarding the trial of Billy Lane. I made only one statement at the time of the accident and will not make any until the end of the trial. Many website owners make on purpose (or provoke) inflammatory statements with the only objective to build traffic to their sites. I have absolutely no respect for these people who try to take advantage of a tragedy. As always regarding this case, the information below is strictly factual. In expressing your opinion, whatever it is, please be respectful.
Today October 30 at 3 PM, a hearing was set before Circuit Judge Meryl Allawas to hear prosecutor’s motion seeking the release of Billy Lane’s hospital records. Documents that Billy Lane’s attorneys said are protected by confidentiality laws. Judge Meryl Allawas granted prosecutors’ motion seeking the release of Billy’s hospital records from the night of a Labor Day 2006 crash that left a Melbourne Beach man dead. Prosecutors hope the documents shed light on any injuries consistent with Lane being the driver, any admissions Lane may have made regarding the crash, observations of Lane’s physical condition and appearance by medical personnel or the results of any blood tests the hospital may have performed. The defense, however, objected to the records going public. Circuit Judge Meryl Allawas ordered the attorneys to draw up a stipulation that the state may not turn over the records to any third party without obtaining a court order. Lane, charged with DUI manslaughter, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted at his trial expected to begin in early 2008.
None of us has knowledge of the facts. Billy is innocent till’ proven guilty. Period.
Keep up Billy.
Thanks Cyril for acting like a gentleman that you are and asking for people to be respectuous. It’s a tragedy for everybody involved.
I am afraid that it’s over for Billy. Will his defense lawyers succeed in challenging incriminating evidence and put a doubt in jury’s mind? We will see.
I don’t understand how the defense could even try to oppose any release of Billy’s hospital files. Nothing can be more related to the case! Anyway, one day we are going to know what is in these files. My opinion about Billy will be made from what is discovered, blood, what he said at the time of the accident, at the hospital. Did he admit being drunk? Any acknowledgement he created the accident? Hum…
Let’s not forget that both parties have and will continue to suffer over these events that occured. This has effected alot of people. The people (Florida Politicians) will try to make Billy a example and this is not helping any of the parties involved. If found guilty Billy should face the music that will occur. If not this may be awake up for everyone. A biker being killed is the story that needs to be told.
Unfortunately, this is a bit “dog and pony”. It’s a standard for the defense to attempt to block access to medical records under these grounds, at which point the judge comes back over top of them and specifies disclosure.
Frankly, there just isn’t much mystery here, legally, as far as outcome. Too much direct physical evidence- no matter how clever Billy’s lawyers try to dress it up or down.
Eventually, the DA will grow weary of this nickel-and-dime stuff, and toss out a plea to Billy; First-time offender, civil judgment already settled…. I’d say Billy gets offered 1-3 yrs, maybe settles for six months to a year.
This is simply how our Justice system works; Whether or not it is justice is a spiritual question, not a legal one, and only the law is judging Billy at the moment.
This is just insignficant legal manuevering- even OJ had a better chance of creating reasonable doubt, but it sounds like both sides want to put this deal in the past asap;
Look for the plea deal to appear minutes before the trial begins…….
First and foremost thank you Cyril for being kind and understanding about this entire situation towards Billy. God only knows how many mistakes we have all made in our lives’. Billy made a mistake, a big one, however no one has any right to “trash” Billy for what happened. None of us were in that truck with him. We here at BANDIT MACHINE WORKS all wish him luck and he is in our prayers, along with everyone involved.
Karen D
If it would happen that Billy is found guilty, I am certain that he is the kind of man who doesn’t need to go to jail during years to understand his mistake. He already learned his lesson and his lifestyle has already changed forever. Billy is suffering, like the family of Gerald Morelock. I hope that he gets the minimum sentence possible and use part of his life in educating all those who drive and ride about the danger of alcohol. I think a plea bargain with community service is also possible.
I support Billy because everybody can make a mistake.
Don’t be so sure about everything being ALL OVER for Billy. There is another blog that keeps up with every bit of the trial. Mike Odom is his name. Anyway, it is reported there that the paramedics DID NOT SMELL THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL on Billy Lane. They did however smell it on the other person in the truck, Eric Derrick.
I asked him what that has to do with anything & Mike says Billy’s lawyers can use this to say the forcible taking of Billy’s blood was unlawful as many of the way they did things in this case were. He even pointed out a new case in Florida which is very similar & the officers followed a new code of conduct for dealing with it.
Anyway he says this is why the DA wants these medical records so bad. They put all of their eggs in the DUI vehicular manslaughter basket. The defense is also going after how the blood work was handled. If there is any doubt Billy was actually drunk or now actually the driver, the State could lose big time on their gambles.
I would hope no one has thought it “is all over” for Billy as you have said Brett. We just want to let Billy and everyone involved know that we are all behind Billy. Shit happens, hopefully what you have said about this other blog, Mike Odom is true. Thats’ why I said none of us were in the truck with Billy. We don’t know. But we will all pray for him. He really is a good man..and we all stand behind him.
Mike Odom is cool and reports correctly. The “other” site mentioned by my readers and indicated to me is not his site.
Not only the market is bad but during these last years the corp. management was arrogant and made a lot of mistakes regarding products choice featured in the catalog. Motorcycle companies should belong to bikers not to greedy office managers.
I would not even die normal…..thats what billy said in one biker build off episode…its gettin true.
All comments made by myself karend6656 about Billy,are my feelings and thoughts.No one else has anything to do with them. I do however wish him only the best and wish him luck.
Let remember that the term “making a mistake” is very vague. My child drawing on the walls with a marker is a mistake. My missing an important appointment is a mistake. Taking someone’s life by driving drunk (in light of the fact that this was not Billy’s first alcohol/motorized vehicle related offense is NOT a mistake. He knew what he was doing and unfortunately THIS TIME he didn’t get away with it. He didn’t make it home safe and sound. He killed an innocent man. Doesn’t matter if it was an accident/mistake (call it whatever you want), he deserves due process and if he is found guilty, punishment. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of Billy Lane, but let’s be objective. Don’t let your admiration for him/his work/lifestyle, blur the realities. Unfortunately, after watching him on TV and getting a glimpse into his lifestyle, it seemed like only a matter of time until either he or someone else got seriously hurt.
The Morelock’s were paid a bunch of money way more than Mr. Morelock would have made had he lived. They will all live quite comfortably.Note that Erin Derrick is the only one who did not sue for a ton of money. I think we all jumped the gun on Billy Lane, myself included. Are we 100% sure Lane was driving?????? A question I am sure that will put doubt in a juries mind. I wish Billy the best and I was one of the first to think he should have been burned at the stake. Mr. Morelock was quite drunk and when a body is drunk….reflexes are slower and it most likely cost him his life but his family can spend money daily.
It is really hard to support Billy when he posts pictures of himself on myspace surfing, laying in his pool, road trips, generally enjoying life. Doesn’t seem to look like he is having any trouble with the fact that he killed a man.
http://a815.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/63/l_ba126c4458fd50e6a3b819cef1c8112e.jpg
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=97679834
“Rainbow Warrior
Dec 2nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
The Morelock’s were paid a bunch of money way more than Mr. Morelock would have made had he lived.”
It’s statements like this that just make me cringe.
All the money in the world don’t bring a life back.
You go out and do what he did, and let me know how it works out for you, He’s guilty, plain and simple, no debate. no question, no trial, no buy’s or pay off’s, just guilty, 10 to 15 years in jail !!
…guess I’m kinda slow, just found out about this B.L. accident and can’t seem to find any “current” data on the matter? Has he already been sentenced since the only things I’m able to find are a yr old or older? Apreciate any feed back…