USA: 'Drunk' Cop ploughs into 4 motorcyclists

[Genestho]

Sent this background story by a friend in the States...
http://www.indystar.com/article/9999...ws06/100813056

"Based on the blood test, Bisard was charged with multiple felony counts of DUI and DUI resulting in a death. He was roundly condemned and faced significant prison time.

But then the charges were suddenly dropped. Prosecutors had learned that the lab tech who drew Bisard's blood sample was not certified under Indiana's DUI laws to do such work for a criminal case. Therefore the test results would almost certainly be inadmissible in court."

"Eric Well's parents believe Indianapolis Metro Police investigators at the crash scene knew the officer who hit and killed Eric was intoxicated and took him to a clinic instead of Wishard Hospital."

An interview with the parents of Eric Wells, the deceased rider.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLDC4...layer_embedded

[nudemetalz ltd]

Un "effing" believable !!!!

[Gibbo89]

"But those chargers were later dropped because the blood test had been mishandled and no other evidence supported the DUI charge."

umm... What the fuck?

[st00ji]

he still killed someone though right - drunk or no

just read more, he is facing other charges - though the worst one has been dropped, which was operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level over 0.15 (the limit is 0.08 in his state) causing death. 6-20 years and 10k fine

sounds like his superiors have reacted reasonably acceptably, changes of protcol and jobs lost

talk about your technicalities though, it wasnt even the guy doing the actual testing - just the guy who drew the blood.

[scumdog]

"But those chargers were later dropped because the blood test had been mishandled and no other evidence supported the DUI charge."

umm... What the fuck?

Has happened in NZ....

[Genestho]

he still killed someone though right - drunk or no

just read more, he is facing other charges - though the worst one has been dropped, which was operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level over 0.15 (the limit is 0.08 in his state) causing death. 6-20 years and 10k fine

sounds like his superiors have reacted reasonably acceptably, changes of protcol and jobs lost

talk about your technicalities though, it wasnt even the guy doing the actual testing - just the guy who drew the blood.

I think the concern on this one is that the officer was enabled to get off those particular charges by encouraging initial incorrect procedure that led to the technicality.... and of course these may be the officers that lost jobs.
Pretty raw time for the families.

Has happened in NZ....

Happens all the time eh - lawyers boast in advertising that they can get drivers off charges on procedural technicalities, and they do!

[EJK]

Wow that's sorrow.

[scumdog]

Happens all the time eh - lawyers boast in advertising that they can get drivers off charges on procedural technicalities, and they do!

I guess none of the above type of lawyers have 'got off' a drunk driver - and then had said drunk driver (while drunk again) crash into the same lawyer or a one of their family members....

[SS90]

I am not trying to minimise the story, but I don't think anyone has mentioned that this guy has not actually gotten away with anything, and, if anything, the whole story has brought about (from what is written) positive changes in the proceedures and systems of the local Police force.

It would seem that there is now a "purge" and demotion of dodgy coppers and officials from this story - would that have happened 10 years ago? Most likely not.

Logically this dude I'd going to serve some time, I assume that the Judge will likely give the maximum sentence in this case, and not take in any allowance for his past service record....

UNLESS........
He has a "good" lawyer and somehow manages to get the case heard in a Juristiction with more lenient laws and punishments, by a Judge with a sympathetic ear for a "Poor stressed out Police officer, who, after severe TRAUMA from being attacked by a bank robber wielding and AK47 ASSAULT RIFLE (note dramatic effect) whome he had killed after a PITCHED GUN BATTLE last year, began to become addicted to alcohol in an effort to drown the pain of taking another mans life (all in the course of duty to the American public your honor)

In fact it could be said, your Honor, that the Police officer is actually a VICTIM, who has been FAILED by the SYSTEM, a SYSTEM he swore an oath to protect........

And so on.

[Genestho]

Yeah, in total agreement based on what's reported..

I was sent this info about 3 weeks ago, a couple of weeks after the incident - and decided to see how the facts unfolded a bit more, before posting..


There's a bit more being alleged behind the story, although I feel dubious these allegations can be proved.

I'd say this story has a way to go..

Quite interesting to note the differences in Justice systems too.

[Bikemad]

sounds like a gung ho redneck who enjoys nothing more than an oppurtunity to turn his sirens on and drive like a fuckwit before pulling his piece out and shooting someone............

[scumdog]

sounds like a gung ho redneck who enjoys nothing more than an oppurtunity to turn his sirens on and drive like a fuckwit before pulling his piece out and shooting someone............

Ouch!

You make it sound so...sorta wrong!

[MIXONE]

I guess none of the above type of lawyers have 'got off' a drunk driver - and then had said drunk driver (while drunk again) crash into the same lawyer or a one of their family members....

Know that would be Karma with a big K.

[st00ji]

I think the concern on this one is that the officer was enabled to get off those particular charges by encouraging initial incorrect procedure that led to the technicality.... and of course these may be the officers that lost jobs.

yep totally agree, im not trying to argue that its ok he got off the DUI charges, or that its not a complete travesty. just that your original post and the ones after it made it sound like he had gotten off all charges scot free.

as mentioned by another poster it does sound like things are being done as a result of this incident.

[BoristheBiter]

As said above lawyers have been getting offenders off tickets for years so this is no different.
He is still being done for it so what was the story?

Oh thats right he was a cop.
Next we will be followed with a "he was waving at the time" thread.