Billy Lane prolly jail time

RACER X · 06-09-2009, 12:24 PM

Billy Lane to face 9 years as part of plea deal

BY KEYONNA SUMMERS
FLORIDA TODAY

In June 2002, motorcycle builder Billy Lane of Melbourne Beach was on top of the world.

He and his team of "gearheads" sold custom-built motorcycles at $30,000 to $40,000 a pop out of his well-established shop, Choppers Inc., on U.S. 1 in Melbourne. The Discovery Channel's motorcycle-themed reality competition series "Monster Garage" had just featured Lane on the show's first installment. He was invited as a featured guest to motorcycle shows and festivals all over Florida and beyond.

Now, the 39-year-old Lane is facing up to nine years in prison on a single felony charge of vehicular homicide in connection with a Labor Day 2006 car crash that left a Melbourne Beach man -- also a motorcyclist -- dead.

After several delays, Lane is expected in court Tuesday morning to change his not guilty plea. He would then be sentenced at 9 a.m. Aug. 14.

"We did get the written plea agreement in," defense attorney Greg Eisenmenger told FLORIDA TODAY. "Based on my review of it, I don't anticipate any problems. I anticipate we are good to go Tuesday."

Lane was charged two years ago with one count of DUI manslaughter in connection with the 2006 traffic accident in which Sebastian Inlet park ranger Gerald Morelock, 56, died.

Police said Lane's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he crossed a double yellow line to pass slow traffic on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach. He crashed his Dodge pickup head on into Morelock's small Yamaha motorcycle on Sept. 4, 2006, police said.

In light of ongoing legal discussions over the permissibility of blood evidence at trial, prosecutors in late December added an alternative charge of vehicular homicide, which requires the state to prove that Lane was driving recklessly but does not include the drug or alcohol element needed to prove DUI manslaughter.

Both charges are second-degree felonies, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

But under the terms of the plea deal, Eisenmenger said prosecutors will drop the DUI manslaughter charge. Instead, they will seek a nine-year prison term for the vehicular homicide charge, a term Lane is eligible for under state sentencing guidelines when his prior criminal record is considered.

Eisenmenger will seek a sentence that calls for no time in prison.

"We believe there are mitigating factors in this case. . . . And we're going to be presenting those to the court at sentencing," he said.

Since the crash, Lane's public persona has suffered.

A message on his motorcycle shop's Web site says the shop is closed to the public, though merchandise is available for purchase online. Court records indicate that Lane's Melbourne Beach home is going through foreclosure.

Lane reached a confidential out-of-court settlement on a wrongful death suit filed by Morelock's family. Also, records show that Erin Derrick, a 22-year-old woman who was in the car with Lane at the time of the crash, is suing him for injuries she says have rendered her unable to work.

Most people contacted by FLORIDA TODAY declined to comment, but several observers from the motorcycle community said the case has hardly tarnished Lane's celebrity.

Mike Odom, a Melbourne motorcycle photographer who blogs about the case and has attended all but one hearing, said Lane's booth at Biketoberfest 2007 in Daytona Beach attracted a long line, so he decided to informally poll 10 people in line.

"Out of those 10, 50 percent were not aware of what happened, and the other 50 percent were aware but didn't care," Odom said.

On his blog, Odom said, a lot of reader comments have called for prison time. But there also is a sizeable number of people who want to see a "positive outcome," such as having Lane build and donate a motorcycle in Morelock's name or do public service announcements about the dangers of drunken driving, Odom said.

"He has enough of a following that people would listen to him," he said.

Like workers at most local businesses that sell motorcycles, Mike Marconi, general manager at Champions Honda in Cocoa, said Lane's custom motorcycle market and the "average Joe" market Marconi caters to are "entirely different."

"So most of our customers, they don't talk about it, and I'd guarantee a lot of our customers don't know who Billy Lane is," Marconi said.

Asked to offer his own opinion of the case, he said: "I don't really have a comment. I think the media likes to play it up because he's a known figure. If my parts manager got arrested for the same thing, I don't think we'd be talking about it."

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/...t+of+plea+deal

Particle Man · 06-09-2009, 12:33 PM

he was drunk and he killed a guy. Following or not, it should not be treated lightly.

CrazyKell · 06-09-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

he was drunk and he killed a guy. Following or not, it should not be treated lightly.

I agree!

the chi · 06-09-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

"We believe there are mitigating factors in this case. . . . And we're going to be presenting those to the court at sentencing," he said.

What is the confusion here? He was drunk, everyone knows he was drunk, I think he even admitted it, he made an illegal pass, and killed someone...I DGAF who he is or what he does, he deserves the same punishment as someone else who made the same rash of bad decisions!

Rider · 06-09-2009, 12:45 PM

Good throw away the fucking key and put him in a cell with "Bubba".

RACER X · 06-09-2009, 12:46 PM

chic in the truck

Fleck750 · 06-09-2009, 01:05 PM

I can't believe it took almost 3 years to come to a semi verdict.

You or I would have been locked up 2 and a half years ago.

wildchild · 06-09-2009, 01:07 PM

oh come on guys you're being too harsh. you know with all his celebrity and what not if he made public appearances and said don't drink and drive.....man the influence he could have would be tremendous.

bullshit, throw him in there and forget about him. celebs are too aften offered deals on the premise oh people will follow what I say. just don't lock me up. hell Martha Stewart survived a little lock down I'm sure he will be fine. maybe he'll make a new "friend" or two.

Yamerhaw · 06-09-2009, 01:44 PM

i dont know who he is, is he that real trashy piece of shit looking guy that builds custom choppers that look like everybody elses custom choppers

z06boy · 06-09-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

he was drunk and he killed a guy. Following or not, it should not be treated lightly.

So true...

06-09-2009, 12:24 PM	#1
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	Billy Lane prolly jail time Billy Lane to face 9 years as part of plea deal BY KEYONNA SUMMERS FLORIDA TODAY In June 2002, motorcycle builder Billy Lane of Melbourne Beach was on top of the world. He and his team of "gearheads" sold custom-built motorcycles at $30,000 to $40,000 a pop out of his well-established shop, Choppers Inc., on U.S. 1 in Melbourne. The Discovery Channel's motorcycle-themed reality competition series "Monster Garage" had just featured Lane on the show's first installment. He was invited as a featured guest to motorcycle shows and festivals all over Florida and beyond. Now, the 39-year-old Lane is facing up to nine years in prison on a single felony charge of vehicular homicide in connection with a Labor Day 2006 car crash that left a Melbourne Beach man -- also a motorcyclist -- dead. After several delays, Lane is expected in court Tuesday morning to change his not guilty plea. He would then be sentenced at 9 a.m. Aug. 14. "We did get the written plea agreement in," defense attorney Greg Eisenmenger told FLORIDA TODAY. "Based on my review of it, I don't anticipate any problems. I anticipate we are good to go Tuesday." Lane was charged two years ago with one count of DUI manslaughter in connection with the 2006 traffic accident in which Sebastian Inlet park ranger Gerald Morelock, 56, died. Police said Lane's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he crossed a double yellow line to pass slow traffic on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach. He crashed his Dodge pickup head on into Morelock's small Yamaha motorcycle on Sept. 4, 2006, police said. In light of ongoing legal discussions over the permissibility of blood evidence at trial, prosecutors in late December added an alternative charge of vehicular homicide, which requires the state to prove that Lane was driving recklessly but does not include the drug or alcohol element needed to prove DUI manslaughter. Both charges are second-degree felonies, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. But under the terms of the plea deal, Eisenmenger said prosecutors will drop the DUI manslaughter charge. Instead, they will seek a nine-year prison term for the vehicular homicide charge, a term Lane is eligible for under state sentencing guidelines when his prior criminal record is considered. Eisenmenger will seek a sentence that calls for no time in prison. "We believe there are mitigating factors in this case. . . . And we're going to be presenting those to the court at sentencing," he said. Since the crash, Lane's public persona has suffered. A message on his motorcycle shop's Web site says the shop is closed to the public, though merchandise is available for purchase online. Court records indicate that Lane's Melbourne Beach home is going through foreclosure. Lane reached a confidential out-of-court settlement on a wrongful death suit filed by Morelock's family. Also, records show that Erin Derrick, a 22-year-old woman who was in the car with Lane at the time of the crash, is suing him for injuries she says have rendered her unable to work. Most people contacted by FLORIDA TODAY declined to comment, but several observers from the motorcycle community said the case has hardly tarnished Lane's celebrity. Mike Odom, a Melbourne motorcycle photographer who blogs about the case and has attended all but one hearing, said Lane's booth at Biketoberfest 2007 in Daytona Beach attracted a long line, so he decided to informally poll 10 people in line. "Out of those 10, 50 percent were not aware of what happened, and the other 50 percent were aware but didn't care," Odom said. On his blog, Odom said, a lot of reader comments have called for prison time. But there also is a sizeable number of people who want to see a "positive outcome," such as having Lane build and donate a motorcycle in Morelock's name or do public service announcements about the dangers of drunken driving, Odom said. "He has enough of a following that people would listen to him," he said. Like workers at most local businesses that sell motorcycles, Mike Marconi, general manager at Champions Honda in Cocoa, said Lane's custom motorcycle market and the "average Joe" market Marconi caters to are "entirely different." "So most of our customers, they don't talk about it, and I'd guarantee a lot of our customers don't know who Billy Lane is," Marconi said. Asked to offer his own opinion of the case, he said: "I don't really have a comment. I think the media likes to play it up because he's a known figure. If my parts manager got arrested for the same thing, I don't think we'd be talking about it." http://www.floridatoday.com/article/...t+of+plea+deal __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

06-09-2009, 12:33 PM	#2
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	he was drunk and he killed a guy. Following or not, it should not be treated lightly. __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

06-09-2009, 12:46 PM	#6
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	chic in the truck __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

06-09-2009, 01:44 PM	#9
Yamerhaw Country Boy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hicktown in NC Moto: 07 R1 Posts: 797	i dont know who he is, is he that real trashy piece of shit looking guy that builds custom choppers that look like everybody elses custom choppers __________________ “If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.” It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

06-09-2009, 12:45 PM	#5
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	Good throw away the fucking key and put him in a cell with "Bubba".

06-09-2009, 01:05 PM	#7
Fleck750 Spiker bike Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: KCK Moto: KZ750 Posts: 1,629	I can't believe it took almost 3 years to come to a semi verdict. You or I would have been locked up 2 and a half years ago.

06-09-2009, 01:07 PM	#8
wildchild cruiser Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: on the run Moto: '09 HD superglide, 16 Yamaha FZ 09 Posts: 2,749	oh come on guys you're being too harsh. you know with all his celebrity and what not if he made public appearances and said don't drink and drive.....man the influence he could have would be tremendous. bullshit, throw him in there and forget about him. celebs are too aften offered deals on the premise oh people will follow what I say. just don't lock me up. hell Martha Stewart survived a little lock down I'm sure he will be fine. maybe he'll make a new "friend" or two.