Billy Lane, famed custom motorcycles builder and owner of Choppers, Inc. has had an additional felony charge filed against him by the prosecutor.
Going back two years ago to Labor Day, you may recall that Billy Lane was charged with DUI Manslaughter in the death of Gerald Morelock in a traffic accident. Now he has been charged with an additional charge of Vehicular Homicide, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison on top of the DUI Manslaughter which is also second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Police said Billy Lane’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he crossed a double yellow line to pass several cars near Melbourne Beach, striking Morelock’s motorcycle head-on.
Prosecutor Tom Brown said he filed the charge in response to a November hearing, during which Lane’s attorneys withdrew their bid to bar trial testimony about the blood evidence and said they would instead raise the issue at trial. Once the defendant waives their right to speedy trial, there is a three-year statute of limitations on filing charges against him or her, Brown said. Brown said filing the vehicular homicide charge, which requires the state to prove Lane was driving recklessly but does not include a drug or alcohol element needed to prove DUI manslaughter, ensures prosecutors are able to proceed at trial, no matter the judge’s ruling on the blood evidence.
Billy Lane’s trial is set for Feb. 9, 2009. I posted an article from the Save A Life tour about drinking and driving that you should read.
Looks like Billy Lane may be going to prison for quite an extended period of time if he is found guilty. This may take another great custom motorcycle builder out of the market, but who knows, if he is indeed found guilty, then maybe Billy Lane can teach a motorcycle course in prison and continue to build custom motorcycles, custom bobbers and custom choppers.
For more information about Billy Lane and his upcoming trial, go to Florida Today to read their press release, the comments below it regarding custom motorcycle builder Billy Lane and the new Felony Vehicular Homicide Charge.
Billy Lane’s Pending DUI Manslaughter Charge
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THIS IDIOT TOOK SOME POOR GUYS LIFE . He does not need special treatment. The rest of us who ride don’t need these types of guys on the road. He knows better but feels he is above it all because he builds bikes. Throw his nasty butt in jail. I am sure most bikers feel the same on this matter. The guy he killed can’t say a thing, but I have no problem telling him like it is. Time to pay the piper stupid.