Lindsey Llaneza trial starts Monday

marchforcyclists
[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:

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Jessica Roberts
18 years ago

I suggest that observers wear black armbands to identify ourselves (and bike pins if you have one).

The Law
The Law
18 years ago

FYI- leave your multitools at home that day. I did jury duty and my clickshoes were barely legal.

Curt Dewees
Curt Dewees
18 years ago

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….

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
18 years ago

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.”

fureigh
fureigh
18 years ago

On 1/6/06, Jonathan Maus wrote:
It would be great to show our support in the courtroom.


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

josh m
josh m
18 years ago

Can you show up late? I don’t get off work until 10:15am but work down on 5th and yamhill.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
18 years ago

Josh: yes, you can come and go as you please. There will be a break from about 12-1:30 though.

Russell
Russell
18 years ago

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.

josh m
josh m
18 years ago

ah crap. I forgot to bring my helmet w/ me to work. I will try to be there this morning.

aunt shelly
aunt shelly
18 years ago

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.