Sentencing this Friday!

[Lee S.]

The judge moved up the sentencing date in the vehicular manslaughter of Shawn Harrison.  It was supposed to be some time in April.  Christine doubts that any of her family can be there for her on such short notice.  (I hope that's not the case!)  The man responsible for Shawn's death will finally apologize to Christine and she is presenting her impact statement.  She is also trying to get the SD Bicycle Coalition to speak, pending the judge's approval.

She really needs your support!  It's at the Vista Court House, this Friday the 21st at 1:30 p.m.  Just having people in the court room will mean so much to her.  She want's this man to understand that underneath the spandex and helmets, we are responsible human beings.  Please make some time to attend. Please contact me if you have questions.

Thank you.

[Lee S.]

If you can attend tomorrow's sentencing, the SD County Bicycle Coalition asks that you bring your helmet into the court house with you!

[kellyjay]

Hi Lee,
Do you know the department/courtroom, defendants name or Judge's name for the Harrison case on Friday?
Thanks, great support here.

[Lee S.]

Judy found out.  The trial is "State vs White" and she said that it should be held in Dept 1 or Room 1.  I hope to see you there!

[Michael von Neumann]

We've been following this thread with interest, as we well remember that tragic accident. Since we're in Atlanta, we were unable to show support in the courtroom for the family, but were there in spirit. Lee (or anyone?) we'd sure appreciate an update posted to this topic about the sentence that the driver received. Thanks!

[chad_newby]

What was the sentence?

[Judy Frankel]

The sentence was pretty much determined before anyone entered the court room.  He agreed to plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter in order to serve no jail time.  He had no record in the past and was driving for a company thus had a lot of Insurance.

I guess part of the agreement was that he'd apologize.  That was not very fulfilling either to me but I guess it was helpful to Christine.

He was 69 years old and he probably was not very aware of his surroundings after proceeding through the intersection with complete obliviousness to the cyclist.  He didn't even attempt to stop.  He never saw Sean.  He looked right through him. Sean was invisible to him.

He won't even lose his driver's license.  At least then, maybe he'd have had to learn to ride a bike and pay attention.

It was very unfulfilling and did nothing to educate or raise consciousness to have awareness of cyclists.

In some ways I felt sorry for the old man..  But the Judge was an idiot.

There is still a Civil case.  But that is between lawyers and insurance companies and the defendent pretty much is uninvolved in that.

Judy

[Lee S.]

Well put, Judy!  The important thing is I think Chris is one step closer to closure.  She felt better about than any of us!