Southern California - Dr. Thompson -Guilty!

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http://velonews.com/article/99800/dr-thompson-guilty-in-la-road-rage-trial
Mr Danw
11-02-09, 05:32 PM
May he rot in jail for five years!
jabantik00
11-02-09, 06:02 PM
yep. may he learn a thing or two about proctology
For Thompson to be handcuffed and held w/o bail indicates they have evidence he was planning to leave the country/state and the judge ruled accordingly.
For Thompson to be handcuffed and held w/o bail indicates they have evidence he was planning to leave the country/state and the judge ruled accordingly.
It suggests to me that the judge anticipates sentencing him to do actual time.
jabantik00
11-02-09, 07:29 PM
someone posted somewhere that there is mandatory jail time for mayhem. i saw it on the internet, so it must be true!
checksix
11-03-09, 06:39 AM
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cyclist3-2009nov03,0,761131.story
cruiserhead
11-03-09, 12:28 PM
The LA Times article is accurate, good link.
I saw it on tv last night and was glad the verdict came down as it did. It's more shocking because he is a ER doctor and should know better than most, (not that it is acceptable for anyone to do!)
Here's the legal code (245a):
Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm or by any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment.
(emphasis added)
Garfield Cat
11-03-09, 02:51 PM
Today on FM Radio KPCC 89.3 Larry Mantle on "Air Talk" had callers discuss this matter. I just got a small part of the discussion. One caller who lives in the Mandeville Canyon area voiced his opinion.
The gist of it was that many of the residents who have been there for years really don't like the riders taking up all the space and when asked to leave room for drivers to safely pass, start to get arrogant.
LT Intolerant
11-03-09, 04:14 PM
As I said in another thread on this topic, FINALLY, someone (the jury) speaks for the cycling community. For too long cyclist have been mowed down by reckless drivers with little or no action taken.
I still remember the case in Santa Barbara a few years ago where Kendra Payne, a 23 old UCSB grad and triathlete, was killed on Gibraltar Road The driver of the large truck that hit her got a suspended sentence, a small fine, and probation.
I ride Gibraltar 3-4 times per week and place where the driver tried to pass Kendra isn't even wide enough for a cyclist and compact car to safely be side by side. This was an obvious case of negligence on the part of the driver, but the SB DA took no action, and no "message" was sent in her case.
It's about time DAs, police forces and juries weigh in and punish perpetrators for blatant reckless behavior, in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, a driver will think twice before purposefully targeting a cyclist.
grrlyrida
11-03-09, 05:10 PM
Today on FM Radio KPCC 89.3 Larry Mantle on "Air Talk" had callers discuss this matter. I just got a small part of the discussion. One caller who lives in the Mandeville Canyon area voiced his opinion.
The gist of it was that many of the residents who have been there for years really don't like the riders taking up all the space and when asked to leave room for drivers to safely pass, start to get arrogant.
I listened to that idiot on KPCC too. His parents live there, not him. His suggestion was that there should be streets were bikes should not be allowed. I think they call that the 210 and the 5. His whole argument was that mandeville cyn is too narrow. I guess he hasn't been in the Hollywood or Silverlake hills lately. Mandeville Cyn is like a freeway compared to some of those streets.
I think the whole issue is educating drivers about others sharing the road. This guy thinks every cyclist should move out of the way when a car is on the road. He would only listen to his POV.:rolleyes:
Today on FM Radio KPCC 89.3 Larry Mantle on "Air Talk" had callers discuss this matter. I just got a small part of the discussion. One caller who lives in the Mandeville Canyon area voiced his opinion.
The gist of it was that many of the residents who have been there for years really don't like the riders taking up all the space and when asked to leave room for drivers to safely pass, start to get arrogant.
Dr. Thomson's crime involved this case and not cycling or anything else in general. So as far as not leaving enough room to pass, let's remember that the cyclists, per testimony, were traveling at the posted speed limit of 30 MPH as evidenced by their GPS devices. The verdict of guilty on all counts could not be more appropriate. It couldn't have happened to a more deservingly arrogant guy.
prathmann
11-03-09, 06:34 PM
It's about time DAs, police forces and juries weigh in and punish perpetrators for blatant reckless behavior, in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, a driver will think twice before purposefully targeting a cyclist.
Unfortunately I suspect that the only reason such serious charges were filed in this case is because of the voluntary self-incriminating statements made by Thompson at the scene. If he hadn't said that he "slammed on the brakes" on the 911 call or mentioned "teaching them a lesson" to the police officer this case would probably have been handled quite differently.
And I'd guess that those two statements went a long way in letting the jury make a decision of guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Without them it would have been much easier for the defense attorney to give the jury alternate explanations for the collision that would put his client in a more favorable light.
Unfortunately I suspect that the only reason such serious charges were filed in this case is because of the voluntary self-incriminating statements made by Thompson at the scene. If he hadn't said that he "slammed on the brakes" on the 911 call or mentioned "teaching them a lesson" to the police officer this case would probably have been handled quite differently.
And I'd guess that those two statements went a long way in letting the jury make a decision of guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Without them it would have been much easier for the defense attorney to give the jury alternate explanations for the collision that would put his client in a more favorable light.
I cannot agree with you more. If Dr. Thomson had not spoken the truth, he most likely would have been acquitted.
LT Intolerant
11-04-09, 12:07 PM
Unfortunately I suspect that the only reason such serious charges were filed in this case is because of the voluntary self-incriminating statements made by Thompson at the scene. If he hadn't said that he "slammed on the brakes" on the 911 call or mentioned "teaching them a lesson" to the police officer this case would probably have been handled quite differently.
And I'd guess that those two statements went a long way in letting the jury make a decision of guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Without them it would have been much easier for the defense attorney to give the jury alternate explanations for the collision that would put his client in a more favorable light.
So true! It's sad that those that are supposed to protect and serve the public need to be "handed" the proverbial smoking gun by the assailant for justice to be served.
One of Dr. Thompson's quotes was -
“There were three bikes riding three across. As I got closer I tapped on the horn with the heel of my hand. The center rider turned around.”
Not sure if anyone else read this but, I don’t get this part…
On an obviously steep, tight, and windy descent; he suggests that three guys we’re flying down three abreast. When was the last time any of us did that, or saw three cyclists riding downhill side by side? I’ve only seen single file on tight, windy, descents. I think the Blue Angels fly three abreast, but they have plenty of sky all around.
KiddSisko
11-05-09, 10:18 PM
I happened to catch Ron Peterson (cyclist who crashed through rear window) on the radio two different times over the past 2 days. Wednesday afternoon with John and Ken (KFI) and Thursday morning with Peter Tilden (KABC). J&K were the most respectful of the situation and didn't get snarky with Ron at all. Tilden talked about being a recreational weekend cyclist, but sticks mostly to the beach path and doesn't do lycra with skinny seats all that well. Toward the end of the Tilden bit, he brought in helicopter air traffic reporter Capt Jorge for his take. Both Tilden and Jorge admitted to road rage experiences involving cyclists while driving in their cars. Jorge was especially miffed at how cyclists don't always obey traffic laws such as blowing through stop signs. Jorge joked about the difference between how LA residents and NYC residents treat cyclists. "The difference is NY drivers will drive straight at cyclists. They carve notches in their doors whenever they get one." What a jackass.
Sounds like the KABC guys are in need of some attitude adjustment courtesy of the RVF. RVF is already taking direct action in promoting a boycott of advertisers in the San Diego Reader for failing to leash Josh Board, one of their so-called "writers" who posted a blog encouraging others to join him in committing acts of violence against cyclists. It can work both ways. RVF will have patches for sale at the San Diego Velodrome Swap Meet on Sunday, Nov. 8.
David13
11-06-09, 10:09 PM
Justice is served. So glad to hear that.
Remanded to custody forthwith. Excellent. Flight risk and a threat to public safety. Well done Judge.
Well done L A County District Attorney.
When is the sentencing date?
Or did the Judge already do the sentence?
Usually it's just bail revocation, no bail, and remand to custody. Then a continuance for sentencing. That will give the Judge time to decide on the sentence, and both sides time to submit recommended sentences, and reasons for them.
dc
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