[Photo credit Chris Lydgate]
On June 25, 2003 Lindsey Llaneza’s mini-van plowed into three cyclists in SE Portland. Orion Satushek and Angela Leazenby were killed instantly and Caroline Buchalter was critically injured.
Llaneza was going nearly 70mph (twice the posted limit) and had a blood-alcohol level of .224 – three times the legal limit. Also, according to an article in the Oregonian, Llaneza had been driving with an invalid license for nearly 17 years and continued to drive despite multiple traffic infractions and a DUI three months before the crash.
This Monday at 9:30AM Llaneza will stand trial in the civil case (he has already been convicted in the criminal case). The three-day trial is open to the public and it would be great to have a show of support from the bike community. Here are the details:
Multnomah County Courthouse (Google map )
9:30 AM, Courtroom #508
1021 SW Fourth Avenue in downtown Portland
For background on this tragedy, check out these links:
Thanks for reading.
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I suggest that observers wear black armbands to identify ourselves (and bike pins if you have one).
FYI- leave your multitools at home that day. I did jury duty and my clickshoes were barely legal.
Is this the civil trial to award damages? I thought the defendant had already been convicted in criminal court and was serving time in state prison.
It is my understanding that Mr. Llaneza doesn’t have any assets or insurance to speak of, so winning a large civil judgement against him will mostly be a moral victory and not actually result in a big financial payoff for the plaintiffs. If and when Llaneza he does get out of prison, however, he will have this civil judgement hanging over his head and will have to pay a portion of his earnings to the plaintiffs for the rest of his life….
According to lawyers working on the case:
“It is the civil trial of Mr. Llaneza. He was already convicted and is serving his sentence in the criminal case.”
On 1/6/06, Jonathan Maus wrote:
It would be great to show our support in the courtroom.
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Here’s a community visibility suggestion shamelessly stolen from work that the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has done:
If you attend the trial, wear your bike helmet in the courtroom. It’s a simple, legal, and very direct tactic.
Respectfully yours,
fureigh
Can you show up late? I don’t get off work until 10:15am but work down on 5th and yamhill.
Josh: yes, you can come and go as you please. There will be a break from about 12-1:30 though.
I’ll most likely show up on Monday. Speaking of, does anyone know when Anthony Saunders trial will start, or if it has started already?
He’s the one who is accused of killing Chris Burris in September.
ah crap. I forgot to bring my helmet w/ me to work. I will try to be there this morning.
thank you all for the support you have showed.our hearts will forever be broke for the loss of our angie.justice may never be served but laws can be changed and so can people.people change people.