Bad! Bad! Bad!
Is this yet another drunken hit and run???
alicestrong06.28.09 - 3:01 pm
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Let's see.
It was 1:30 am and the driver drove away and hid his car.
Drunk driver? I think maybe ...yes.
I hope it wasn't Mel Gibson.
Another ghost bike.
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by alicestrong
06.28.09 - 3:16 pm
reply
You have got to be kidding me a rider was killed out there on PCH going into malibu was it a midnight rida or another rida none the less that sucks. I mean I would ask myself if I would ever ride on that at night dont think I ever would but damn we need to get another ghost bike going for that and do a ride on it in support of our fallen fellow rida.
louisbianchirider06.28.09 - 3:36 pm
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rest in peace.
so beautifull yet so sketch.
uniquely californian death.
rest in peace. one of us.
HANDBONE06.28.09 - 3:37 pm
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That is fucked up hit and killed the father and injured the son damn I hope that kid makes it and I hope that person that hit them gets life in prison with constant bikes running over him all day and night every single day and night.
Does anyone know exactly where on PCH that they were hit.
louisbianchirider responding to a
comment by HANDBONE
06.28.09 - 3:39 pm
reply
What you think in about 2 weeks notice on like a saturday do the ride in the afternooon and do the whole ride down PCH the only thing is someone needs to get a ghost bike going so we can chain it up where they were hit you know.
louisbianchirider06.28.09 - 3:41 pm
reply
Alleged drunk driver held
Updated: 06/28/2009 12:47:12 PM PDT
By Daily News Staff
MALIBU- Robert Sanchez, 30, of Oxnard has been arrested after he allegedly struck and killed a man and injured his son cycling along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
Sanchez appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, according to Malibu Sheriff officials. A blood sample was taken to determine if Sanchez was indeed intoxicated at the time.
alicestrong responding to a
comment by Creative Thing
06.28.09 - 7:36 pm
reply
Found an update:
Father and Son Cyclists Hit by Drunk Driver
KTLA News
June 28, 2009
MALIBU-- A drunk hit-and-run driver was found and arrested Sunday for striking a father and son bicycling on the Pacific Coast, killing the father.
Sheriff's lieutenants say Robert Sanchez, 30, of Oxnard hit cyclists with his Dodge Ram at 1:30 a.m. Sunday on PCH near Nicholas Beach Road.
After hitting the father and son, Sanchez fled in his truck before ditching it and fleeing on foot about one mile south from the crash scene, said Sheriff's Lt. Scott Chew.
The father, Rodrigo Armas, 44, died on the scene, said the Sheriff's Dept. He was a Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officer from Kern County.
The son, who is 14 years old, was transported to UCLA medical center and is in "stable" condition, but suffers from "numerous broken bones," say officials.
Armas and his son were participating in the "Grand Tour," an annual 200 mile bike ride that is centered around Malibu.
Sanchez will likely be charged with felony vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run, said Chew.
kryxtanicole responding to a
comment by alicestrong
06.29.09 - 12:01 am
reply
sighs* another cycling family member killed and and another lonely bike left in this world
palucha6606.29.09 - 12:06 am
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there was a lady who was at the store i work at today. she saw my junky rusty bikes shirt and said she liked it. but anyways she had told me she just did that 200 mi. ride and she saw the father and son at one, or a few of the checkpoints before the accident. i felt bad... i used to love driving down PCH (sober, of course.) the news of a fatal accident caused by drunk driving disgusts me....now instead of taking a cruise down PCH i'll probably patrol and help bust those drunk drivers. these types of drivers really need to get fucked by the law even harder. Rest In Peace.
Ace06.29.09 - 1:45 am
reply
PCH has allways been a very dangerous road for cyclists.
rev106 responding to a
comment by Ace
06.29.09 - 6:46 am
reply
Sad news. Should be interesting to see how this case goes since it's one of them that went down. BTW, looks what comes up when looking at this location in google maps...
View Larger Map
User106.29.09 - 1:39 pm
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Many years ago while riding up the PCH, I witnessed a cyclist critically injured by a hit and run driver within mere feet in front of me. I was able to get the licence plate number of the truck, and I aided the fallen rider until the paramedics and police showed. I never found out if they caught the driver.
Since then, I've only ridden PCH a few more times in a highly cautious and alert manner.
I think this is the second fatality this year on PCH?
gado_gado responding to a
comment by rev106
06.29.09 - 2:00 pm
reply
ANOTHER DRUNK MOTHERFUCKIN HIT AND RUN
it doesn't always pay to run... but most of the time it does, and that's why they do.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by gado_gado
06.29.09 - 9:28 pm
reply
The motorist bailed out Monday morning.
Time for some hard questions: http://tr.im/PCHtragedy
SoapBoxLA06.30.09 - 1:23 am
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Thanks for the detailed article SoapBox. Just seeing more of a picture of these guys and the event in general. Really makes it that much saddening/ enraging.
It would be amazing if we could coordinate our efforts with the L.A. wheelmen to pay tribute for this fallen rider and DEMAND JUSTICE for this negligent homicide.
R.I.P.
Spoapbox's excellent article hotlinked for the lazy:
http://soapboxla.blogspot.com/2009/06/father-and-son-grand-tour-dream-ends.html
trickmilla responding to a
comment by SoapBoxLA
06.30.09 - 11:27 am
reply
Keep this thread alive, we've got to come show support for this family and ride alongside the LA Wheelmen...
Fuck man, I've always been scared of PCH. So many dumb people that lack any kind of responsibility drive on that highway....
jericho1ne responding to a
comment by trickmilla
06.30.09 - 11:39 am
reply
Perhaps a trip to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors is in order to remind them of the great job the sheriffs out on PCH are doing.
Seems to me that it takes a body bag to get any law enforcement to make an arrest in a crash involving a cyclist, regardless of fault.
DJwheels06.30.09 - 11:43 am
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Excellent post Mr. Box! Very well written and agreed with on all points made. I'll help support any actions that we feel needs to be made regarding this incident.
Not that it would have mattered, but who would still have confidence in a 21 yr old helmet?
User1 responding to a
comment by SoapBoxLA
06.30.09 - 1:20 pm
reply
Hey, folks —
I got an email from Larry Schellhase today. I coordinated with him about Harvey Hetland's ghost bike last spring. He suggested a ghost bike for Rod Armas, too. I think this is a wonderful idea.
I can scout the area, paint the bike, & design & paint the sign. But I need a bike.
If you have a beater in your garage, please consider giving it for the ghost bike. Any of you in bike shops & co-ops, if you come across a project bike that would take a LOT of work & doesn't have a home, please think of this shitty, shitty accident & the driver who fled from the scene, how they were hit just 10 miles from the finish. Help us make a sign to remind drivers & bikers alike.
This incident is saddening & infuriating. We need to do something. This is a start.
katiepoche07.2.09 - 3:45 am
reply
Heha, good point. Maybe the helmet was diamond-tuff. You know. Like his spirit.
(Alan, you in on the ghost bike?)
katiepoche responding to a
comment by User1
07.2.09 - 3:52 am
reply
My dad says he wants to help with the ghost bike. He can meet you guys in Malibu.
HappyLand07.2.09 - 6:18 am
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Fuck.
This really really breaks my heart. Especially since me and my dad used to go riding when I was that age. They were only ten miles away from completing an epic conquest.
Fucking breaks my heart.
HappyLand responding to a
comment by alicestrong
07.2.09 - 10:52 am
reply
Yeah I have a daughter in her teens so...you know.
alicestrong responding to a
comment by HappyLand
07.2.09 - 11:32 am
reply
I have a complete bike that is here waiting to be picked up.
adamthelizard at g mail dot com.
Very freaking sad.
adamthelizard07.2.09 - 7:08 pm
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UNTIL THERE IS VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT THIS WILL NOT BE THE LAST HIT AND RUN
The fucking LAW needs to be changed people. Vehicle owners need to be held account-able for hit and runs and be compelled to admit who was driving their vehicle. as it is, people can get away with Hit and Runs. That puts all of our lives in danger.
Roadblock07.2.09 - 7:40 pm
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Katie,
If you got all the help you need, I would rather work on the bike that needs to be put up out in the valley. If you need a hand, just holla.
Yeah, really sad pics above. :-(
User1 responding to a
comment by katiepoche
07.2.09 - 7:40 pm
reply
ahh that's awesome, I was wondering what was going on with the valley incident and if a bike was happening or not. I have white spray paint if you need it...
Roadblock responding to a
comment by User1
07.2.09 - 7:45 pm
reply
wow that's a trip the kid is wearing a BLOCK jersey. That's Wolfpack Rich's shop team. I wonder if he knew the kid.... what a sad photo. the dad just looks SO happy and excited about their adventure.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by alicestrong
07.2.09 - 7:47 pm
reply
I'll see what I have in regards to paint. I'll email you if I need any.
Thanks!
User1 responding to a
comment by Roadblock
07.2.09 - 7:51 pm
reply
@alicestrong Holy cow, those pictures are hard to look at. Damn. Teenage daughter! Does she ride?
@adamthelizard Will write to you. Thank yo so much.
@Roadblock Truth. Your first sentence, I feel, is most true. The law (that ridazz have the same rights & responsibilities as motorists) is clear; enforcement is fucking fucked up shit, though.
@User1 Dammitt, I didn't know you were working on another ghost bike. I'm sorry to hear it, for several reasons.
katiepoche07.3.09 - 3:05 am
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Allan, I'll help you with Ghost Bike stuff. Just let me know.
Joe Borfo07.3.09 - 5:15 am
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Cool I might need help with transportation. I heard you got some new wheels? Looks like they love them on the innerwebs!
User1 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
07.3.09 - 4:33 pm
reply
adamthelizard, thank you thank you for donating the bike!
I'll go scout the spot in Malibu this week, on Wednesday or Sunday, my days off. Anyone who wants to is welcome to join me. I live on the westside.
I can design the sign this week, paint it this week & next, & we can assemble & install it after that.
katiepoche07.5.09 - 10:55 pm
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How the F*** does this C*** get out on F***ing bail????????????!@#$
Limeyfly responding to a
comment by SoapBoxLA
07.5.09 - 11:21 pm
reply
Alice, do you know who took this picture of Rod & Christian Armas? I'm making a sign for his ghost bike, & I want to ask the photographer if I can use an abstracted version of the photo. I can't find this photo with a citation, though.
katiepoche responding to a
comment by alicestrong
08.6.09 - 5:06 am
reply
do you guys need help with this? are you doing it at the bikerowave?
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by katiepoche
08.6.09 - 9:29 am
reply
I'll try to find out for you today...
Another nice photo here...
http://www.talbertfamilyfoundation.org/pages/RodArmas.html
alicestrong responding to a
comment by katiepoche
08.6.09 - 9:43 am
reply
Sucks big time...
It crazy too because if you think about all the times you ever had a few drinks and got behind the wheel (even your bike)... maybe not even drunk, so to speak... and even if you were driving fine (outside of having a few)...all you need is for something to happen, and BOOM... you're done. Might not have even been your fault, but if youve been drinking...its over.
It really sucks, because you have a huge lose on one hand... and though I dont know anything about either party... you equally have a tragic story on the other end. Maybe the driver was a good guy and just freaked out... fuck, who knows... maybe we'll know more soon.. the driver was only 30yrs old (that sucks too).
But, man... fuck... I guess I just feel like both families must be hurting big time.
I dont have as much desire to punish people, I would hope the driver (assuming the guy was a good and such) could find some kind of reconciliation in life after this incident, but there are many hurt people involved... its a tough world.
Overall,
As cyclist, there is a loss, and there is a family (and a son) who lost someone special.
Be safe riding... but shit, we need to think more about drinking too. Some of you may be the coolest, nicest persons out there... make one bad decision, and the results can be devastating for all persons.
md208.6.09 - 10:45 am
reply
Let's hope this Ghost Bike doesn't get defaced. Maybe puts some welds on it?
merrickx08.6.09 - 11:34 am
reply
i was thinking u-bolts would be a better way to secure the bike. then we can strip the nuts. please let me know what you need. i'd really like to help.
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by merrickx
08.6.09 - 11:46 am
reply
id like to help out as well.. lemme know if there is anything i can do
Thegirlinglass responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
08.6.09 - 11:52 am
reply
I called the Malibu Courthouse this morning to find out what the deal was on this case.
Robert Sam Sanchez (7/27/79) is set to be arraigned on Thursday August 20, 2009 at 8:30am in Department 1.
If I'm free that morning, I'll make the trip out there.
DJwheels08.13.09 - 11:13 am
reply
loctite or epoxy will work like a charm.
mattspeed responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
08.13.09 - 11:56 am
reply
when we ride up to leo carrillo next week we will stop for a moment of silence for the fallen rida
it seems that every week someone is getting seriously injured or worse
even with different laws and stricter enforcement, until people respect cyclists and take their safety seriously... little will change
snowcone08.13.09 - 12:04 pm
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Hey, everyone —
Sorry for not seeing peoples' comments on this thread. I need to check back here more often!
Mihai and I are working on getting the sign together. The design is finished, we're just getting it laser-cut. It's gonna be really nice.
The donated bike (THANKS, AdamTheLizard!) is currently annoying volunteers & visitors alike at the BikeRoWave, waiting to be stripped of parts & painted white.
tortuga_veloce, I'd love to hear your ideas on bolting the bike down.
katiepoche08.15.09 - 4:28 am
reply
In the image posted before: What's black will be laser-cut out of a thin piece of wood. There will be another panel of wood to which the cut piece is bolted. Second wood panel color TBD, but the color in this image shows how the two pieces work together.
katiepoche08.15.09 - 5:40 am
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What it might look like, installed on the side of the road on PCH.
katiepoche08.15.09 - 5:44 am
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bring the bike to me and i'll weld it up good.
Paul
Atomic Cycles
rev106 responding to a
comment by katiepoche
08.15.09 - 6:51 am
reply
Sanchez pled NOT GUILTY to all charges and denied all affirmative allegations in the criminal complaint.
Criminal Counts:
1)Cal. Penal Code 191.5(a) - gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
2)Cal. Vehicle Code 23152(a) - driving under the influence
3)Cal. Vehicle Code 20001(a) - failure to stop after an accident involving an injury
Preliminary Hearing is set for Tuesday, Sept. 15 @ 8:30 am in Dept. 1 at the Malibu Courthouse.
A group of 10 people, mostly family I believe, were there in support of Robert S. Sanchez. They all seemed concerned and a little new to the criminal process and courthouse setting. Sanchez appeared calm and clean cut, wearing a dark suit. Nothing about his appearance or his family really compelled me to form a negative opinion about him. I don't believe anyone from the victims' family was there.
Sanchez did not speak at all during the arraignment. His attorney James Armstrong spoke on his behalf. At the end of the hearing as Sanchez and his attorney were walking out, Judge Lawrence Mira asked the district attorney what the blood alcohol level was. The D.A. responded, ".05, but that was about 5 hours later."
I was a little troubled by that. Why the hell would it take the sheriff 5 hours to get a breathalyzer test from this guy? It's not like this happened in downtown L.A. or Hollywood where there is a line of drunks backed up at the station waiting to get their breath tested.
DJwheels08.20.09 - 6:55 pm
reply
It was a breathalyzer reading? Not blood alcohol content? Because if he asked for a blood test (which he has the right to do), it might take up to five hours after the accident for them to get him to the nearest station, get the kit ready, etc.
Which was canny of the guy, if that's what he did.
How could he claim "Not Guilty" to the third charge, for failure to stop after an accident involving an injury??!
Thanks for going to this, DJ Wheels. I knew about it but couldn't make it.
Tuesday, Sept. 15th. I work nights. I can make that.
katiepoche responding to a
comment by DJwheels
08.20.09 - 11:31 pm
reply
Katie, you're right. If he asked for the blood test, then it definitely could have taken longer. Truth is I don't know which test was taken. D.A. didn't specify
I always assume that it's a breathalyzer result because cops also know that a blood test takes longer so they try to convince you to take the breathalyzer under the promise that you'll be in and out of custody much faster than if you take the blood test.
Cops sometimes don't explain your right to the blood test that clearly. They'll say, "Look, you are required to submit to a chemical test. You can either take the breathalyzer at the station as soon as we get there. Or you can take the blood test which takes longer to set up and you'll have to wait in a cell with other scary inmates for quite a while. You're choice, what's it gonna be?"
Most people pick the breathalyzer. If this guy chose blood, then yeah...smart move.
I'll give the d.a. a call and see if they provide me with the information.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by katiepoche
08.21.09 - 8:49 am
reply
Heya —
Mihai ran some test cuts on the sign for the Rod Armas ghost bike. Take a look.
This is the second ghost bike I'll have done, both of them on behalf of fallen LA Wheelmen. There are some members of the biking community whom I've only ever been in contact with when somebody dies. That's just ... wrong, & I really hope to change that.
DJ Wheels reported, above, that there's a preliminary hearing for Robert S. Sanchez on September 15th. I'm fairly certain the bike can be finished by then. I'd like to host a ride from the hearing to the ghost bike. I'd also love to invite the family. They were not present for Robert Sanchez's initial plea. But perhaps we could contact them. There are people who are really very saddened by the story of his death & who would like to commemorate it. They should know this.
katiepoche09.5.09 - 3:21 am
reply
"They" = Rod Armas' family in that last sentence. His family should know about our concern.
katiepoche09.5.09 - 3:22 am
reply
Katie, do you have a flickr link to the images?
User1 responding to a
comment by katiepoche
09.5.09 - 9:56 am
reply
Jesus, I seriously need to spend more time on Midnight Ridazz.
Famous Last Words.
Hi, Allan, yes:
Here's a flickr link to the most recent images of the ghost bike sign.
I have the bike assembled. The sign, as designed, will soon be laser cut by Mihai & the good people at UCLA. It isn't going to be ready by tomorrow morning's preliminary hearing, but I'll be up there. I'll take notes & report back here.
katiepoche responding to a
comment by User1
09.15.09 - 12:46 am
reply
Damn, I couldn't make it out to Malibu this morning. I'll call up the court clerk to find out the update a little later.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by katiepoche
09.15.09 - 9:09 am
reply
Trial Setting was continued to October 20, according to the clerk in Dept. 1 at the Malibu Courthouse.
DJwheels09.15.09 - 3:56 pm
reply
Saw your tweets, Katie. Notice anything interesting?
DJwheels responding to a
comment by katiepoche
09.15.09 - 3:58 pm
reply
This one keeps getting delayed.
Preliminary Setting is on calendar for January 7, 2010
DJwheels12.15.09 - 6:23 pm
reply
Here's another update. Perhaps this is a little better news than what happened in Birdman's case today.
Robert Sam Sanchez was sentenced to 4 years in state prison a month ago after changing his plea not guilty plea to no contest to hit and run and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence that killed Rod Armas and seriously injured his son Christian.
He's supposed to surrender himself after the Restitution hearing on Friday July 30 at the Malibu Courthouse.
More at bikinginla (court case summary included):
click here
DJwheels07.20.10 - 9:13 pm
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4 years for hit and run, double manslaughter, DUI, etc etc? More rage.
outerspace07.21.10 - 2:10 pm
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It wasn't double manslaughter because one of the cyclists actually survived.
I think the D.A. and Judge did a better job on this case than in Birdman's case by not allowing a slap on the wrist type sentence.
However, the plea negotiation got a little technical from what I can tell. I think there was an issue with proving that Sanchez had a BAC above the minimum level .08 at the time of the collision. Therefore, I think the D.A. was willing to drop the initial charges for vehicular manslaughter with .08 DUI and the separate .08 DUI charge, if he would accept the lesser charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
It went from a max possible sentence of 10 years for vehicular manslaughter with .08 DUI, to a max possible sentence of 6 years vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Ultimately, Sanchez was sentenced to the max possible sentence of 4 for the hit and run with injury and the middle term available, which is 4 years, for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Both of these will run CONCURRENTLY, meaning at the same time.
I think the only unfortunate part is that the DA and Judge didn't push for a mandatory license revocation for the hit and run charge. (I can't seem to find a code section that says the Judge can suspend or revoke a license for the manslaughter with gross negligence conviction.)
However, the DMV has the authority to suspend/revoke Sanchez' license for either the hit and run or the manslaughter conviction.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by outerspace
07.23.10 - 8:45 am
reply
Is the sentencing strong enough? I don't know, it seems like if you hit someone with a bat by accident because you were swinging it widly in a crowd the sentence would be more, the car acts as a buffer. I'd say that people clammoring for biblical style retrubition are going too far. The whole thing is sad and frustrating at the same time.
rev106 responding to a
comment by DJwheels
07.23.10 - 9:39 am
reply
Everybody knows that 4 years really equals 1 or 2 years with good behavior. (something like that)
Once he gets out is he going to be allowed to drive again? If so, that's bullshit.
Anyone who is guilty of a bicycle hit and run should lose their goddamn licence. (forever forced to ride a bike)
I don't care what the bible says.
Joe Borfo for President 2012
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by rev106
07.23.10 - 9:55 am
reply
Strong enough? I dunno, man. That's kind of a loaded question.
As a cyclist, of course I'm not going to think it's strong enough if someone was killed. As an attorney, I know what the max penalties were for the two charges that he plead to and neither the D.A. nor the Judge can do anything else but apply the available penalty terms to those specific charges.
However, in your example, swinging a bat wildly in a crowd of people would be more than just accidental...it would be reckless. Criminal recklessness carries a higher penalty than simple criminal negligence.
The Sanchez case I think is more about criminal negligence, but if you compare it to the Marco Valencia case out in the San Fernando Courthouse...that case goes beyond the level of criminal negligence. That guy was totally loaded for sure, witnesses saw him weaving and swerving, crashing into a block fence, continuing to swerve until finally plowing into a peloton on the wrong side of the road and then taking off for good measure.
Now that guy is screwed...he's looking at murder charges, not just manslaughter, because he had two prior DUI's and there were witnesses before, during and after the collision.
But yeah, I agree with you that it's totally sad and frustrating.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by rev106
07.23.10 - 10:39 am
reply
DJ,
I may be a little cynical, but considering the guilty party involved in this case and Birdman's, do you think social status, money and such played a role?
More specifically was the defendant represented better in one case, or is this just two different judges, giving two different verdicts?
Do you have any thoughts on that?
md2 responding to a
comment by DJwheels
07.23.10 - 10:47 am
reply
I guess I should have clarified, that I'm curious about why one judge would give a more substantial verdict rather than the BS given in Luis' case.
I wouldn't expect the verdicts to be the same, considering the difference in outcomes.
md207.23.10 - 10:53 am
reply
Well, the obvious reason for the stiffer sentence in the Sanchez case is that someone was killed. Unfortunately, it seems like someone has to die before the criminal defendant is actually sent to prison.
I don't think social status/class of the criminal defendants or the victims had a whole lot to do with the outcome in the Sanchez case. I think it's more about the location and the circumstances. Malibu is a relatively quieter part of town, perhaps more insulated and if there 's a loss of life, they take it seriously.
I haven't been to the Mahdavi hearings so I can't really size up the parties involved.
We can speculate about what the outcome would have been in the Sanchez case if no one had died. Would there still have been a state prison sentence for two counts of hit and run with injury?? I doubt it.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by md2
07.23.10 - 11:11 am
reply
Another thing to consider is that Sanchez accepted the plea deal offered by the D.A. The terms of the prison sentence might have all ready been decided as part of the negotiation and the Judge merely OK'd it.
Mahdavi made an open plea to the court rather than accept the 1 year jail term offer from the D.A. Maybe it was a better understanding of Judge Fox's lenient tendencies that prompted Mahdavi's defense counsel to suggest rejecting the D.A.'s offer and throwing herself on the mercy of the Judge. Maybe they just figured that had nothing to lose.
Maybe the defense had better repoire with the Judge than the D.A. Might be something to look into whether they ever worked together, but I sincerely doubt there was any impropriety or paying off of the judge.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by md2
07.23.10 - 11:28 am
reply
Thank you for the feedback.
Well, I don't know whether Sanchez had money, had financial backing or the like, so I was curious if this had the elements to (not surprisingly) highlight the verdicts given to those that have versus those that do not.
Again, not that Sanchez should have received a lighter sentence if rich, so to speak, but had he been driving a Porsche or such, I wonder if the sentence would have been as harsh.
The dichotomies are all too real. I just don't know enough about the guilty parties involved to speculate. But Luis' case is really unsettling because it strikes a nerve about those who have money tend to get free rides (it seems she had some money behind her).
It's complex thinking about these events when bicycles are involved because, it seems, being a cyclist puts you into another category to expose the public's and court's indifference.
In short, the have nots, tend to get worse treatment by the courts
Those that have get slapped on the wrist
And being a cyclist, get's you nothing.
It's as if riding a bike negates your humanity.
md2 responding to a
comment by DJwheels
07.23.10 - 11:51 am
reply
I'm thinking some Judges might be more lenient towards very young, first time offenders.
It probably doesn't hurt that her family has some money.
alicestrong responding to a
comment by md2
07.23.10 - 12:22 pm
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
I can barely look at this....
...
.
The sign design.