Motorcycle Helmets

There has been a HEATED discussion about punishments handed out to people who elude police in high speed chases. So I want YOU to be the jury on this one.

In this scenario, the person successfully evades the police at night on dark country roads and a rather calm and respectful individual with similar clothing and bike is later found. The police and the courts believe they have the right person. Nobody was injured and the roads were nearly empty. Biggest risk was the rider killing himself and the police killing themselves or one of the few people on the road that night (They did 130MPH).

So you are now on a jury! Some idiot decides to take police on a wild and reckless chase approaching speeds of 135MPH through several counties. The jerk evades road blocks and shows no respect to the police authority by not stopping even when the police are side by side. The rider escapes and the pursuit is called off shortly after calling out a helicopter. Armed with only a partial plate, dark video and general desciption of bike color and helmet and things like that. an All points bullartin is put out. A tip is called in and an individual matching the description is found on the phone laughing with a local woman, a stranger who was helping him call a wrecker for his broken down bike. He is arrested but is completely cooperative and extremely respectful of the officers. He spends the night in jail before bailing himself out and repairing his failed front brakes.

Now for the other side. This individual is an Air Force veteran and successful computer engineer with no record and only a few speeding tickets. Born poor in a 3rd world country and schooled in some of the toughest and most violent schools, he chose the right path in life and graduated with honer leaving. Closest to being arrested was being put in handcuffs after being harrased by cops who tried to accuse him of spraying graffiti on a wall at 7AM on a weekday, when in fact his chain on his bike(which the officer never looked at) was broken and he was waiting on assitance when the police shoewed up. He is a highly trained and skilled rider with race track experience. He has never been in an accident, sold drugs and does not believe in software and music piracy. He also does not drink or smoke and is very health concious. He is single and is passionate about helping troubled youth stay on the right path. He has spoken an numerous high schools and has been voted best presenter by the students. He also offers free training about motorcycle safety and other things online. Specifically he has been a very vocal advocate of discouraging people from running from the police on bikes.

Evidence:

Low quality police video
Very close match on a few items of clothing and three letters(sticker) on his jacket
Multiple officers written reports of what they say in pitch black night with their spotlights

Maybe you think they have the wrong person, maybe you don’t, but let’s assume that although not 100% solid it at least looks like this individual very closely matches the description of the runner but there is no description of the actual person at all(can’t see them in riding gear). The judge thinks they have the right person and would like a minimum of 30 days in prison and a felony conviction. This will ruin the the man’s life and prevent him from being able to help more kids and since he uses a lot of his own money to fund his efforts to helps troubled kids, he will be very limited there.

What do YOU think? Did he do it? If he did, will you support the judges proposal? If not what will you support? $2500 fine and probation? The fine and community service, perhaps focusing on preventing other riders from putting their lives and the public at risk? House arrest? Critical factors are:

Should there be anymore jail-time than the already spent night in jail and should there be a felony conviction?

The question boils down to one thing:

How sure you are that the person was the person doing the evading. Is the jacket store brand super common bike clothing or is it of football team from the persons nation of origin.

They have a partial plate. When they ran the numbers did the returned information match any other bikes that fit the description of the person/helmet/bike paint job?.

The police say he matches the same general appearance so thats something.

Was he and his bike found broken down near a road where these winding country back roads exited?

If the circumstantial evidence is found to be enough to convict him everything from "The other side" paragraph is pointless to me.

He committed a felony, was tried and found guilty and should be sentenced accordingly.

EDIT

It is also guilty beyond a REASONABLE doubt.

Posted in Kids Motorcycle Helmet | 6 Comments »