Autopsy report reveals new evidence in Billy Lane DUI Case
In a late report filed on the Internet edition of Florida Today newspaper, it has been reported that the autopsy of Gerald Morelock reveals he had been drinking.
Gerald Morelock was the victim in a labor day fatal crash caused by Melbourne, Florida chopper builder Billy Lane. Late today, autopsy reports showed that Gerald Morelock had a blood alcohol level of .133. Billy Lane had caused the wreck on September 4th by crossing the double yellow lines on Highway A1A while passing 3 vehicles. Lane was later found to have had a blood alcohol level content of 0.192 and was charged with DUI Manslaughter for the death of Morelock.
At this time, there is no further evidence to support this news. Every attempt will be made to furnish the entire story later on today.
Normally all comments are kept in that section. However, I asked Norman Gregory Fernandez ESQ, a California motorcycle attorney if he would comment on the recent findings in this case. Here is what he had to say:
The fact that the decedent, Mr. Morelock, was legally intoxicated should have no consequences on the criminal or civil aspects of the case based upon the evidence I have heard so far. Mr. Morelock did not do anything to cause the crash, and he had the right of way in the lane that he was in. Unless some witness comes forward and says that it was Morelock who swerved into Billy Lane’s lane, I do not see any problems with any of the cases. Mr. Morelock it appears was legally drunk. He still had a right not to be killed on a Public Highway. I once did a case for a woman who was legally drunk with six kids in her van. She was rear ended by a guy in a truck. She was arrested and convicted for DUI after the accident. I received a large settlement for her in the civil case because she was not at fault in the accident. I am sure the same thing will happen here in the Billy Lane Case.I am sure you guys remember the OJ case, and the Robert Blake case. There is no doubt the defense will try to attack Mr. Morelock anyway they can. Unfortunately its easy to attack someone who is no longer alive to defend themselves. This may have some affect on the jury. In the end we will see.
Thanks to Norman for his view on this article. Norman has a biker law blog that is a good read.
Source: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061113/BREAKINGNEWS/61113024
November 14th, 2006 at 12:03 am
This is only a preliminary report and will have a complete follow up. I am not one to trust a FT article as be resourceful and complete. It was verified by the State Attorney according to the article.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Let’s go even a little further south to the Ft. Pierce News Tribune, Janie Gould are you listening, They are way off in left field when it comes to reporting.
November 22nd, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Yes! he is. Add to that he is a biker and one hell of a nice guy to communicate with. Almost forgot. I grew up about 5 miles from his office in California.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
I agree with you about questioning the report in Florida Today. I do too. Sometimes I wonder if they hire second graders for proof reading and the Press Journal reporting for Indian River County is even worse….hard to believe but true.
November 15th, 2006 at 6:21 am
Amazing how these people retain their jobs at the newspapers on the Space Coast and Treasure Coast.
November 15th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
I hope that Brett Reuter is wrong. I hope Attorney Norm Fernandez projection is the way this case goes. I hate to admit that everything Brett Reuter stated is true, hard and correct facts.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:39 am
Mike: I was just at Norm Fernandez Esq. site and he has posted his article about the liability one assumes when they loan their car, truck or bike to someone. You need to read this article. I asked Mr. Fernandez to post this read on your site. This lawyer is “SHARP”!!
November 15th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
well I will say this will impact the cases. If any of you folloow the NFL, St. Louis Ram defensive End, Leonard Little was drunk driving, ran a red light & killed a woman. He ended up with 1,000 hours of community service, 6 years probation & a suspended license. Somehow, he also had it so the conviction was dropped from his record once his probation was done. The very next night after his probation ended, he was arrested for DUI, but since the Vehicular manslaughter was erased from his record, he only got a ticket out of it.
Any fan of Heavy Metal Knows Vince Neil’s story of killing someone while driving drunk & on drugs, yet he also got no jail time.
Senator Ted Kennedy did the same. & somehow he is still a Senator, even though felonys can not run for office.
The point, people do get off on this stuff & now that Gerald Morelock was also almsot twice the legal limit & other sites have reported he had a substance abuse problem along with a long list of traffic offenses, a good lawyer will be able to use this as well as the good things Billy has done for charity’s, war vets, & others.
I feel community service, probation & a treatment program in Billy Lane’s future instead of jail time.
It’s just the feeling I have.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
It would be terrible if Billy Lane gets away with this horrible,selfish act because he has money..What about the offenders locked up who did not do as bad as Billy Lane..Who had a DUI,have not the fame and are incarcerated…….Killing someone out of his own Selfishness,Carelessness,Stupidity..he is not invincible..He made the same mistake as others and should pay the same in sentencing as others..Can these courts and Judges be Bought.. Are we all for sale..THINKKKKKKK..He should get involuntaray manslaughter and serve at least 5-10years in jail,in my EYES more,for a life he took..If he is let go..The justice system has Failed AGAIN.Where is the Justice….
May 9th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
If Gerald would of lived would he of been charged with a dui?
From what I have read the answer in no?
I think BL should be used as a tool to combat drunk driving.
He should have a set of rules that make him remember what he has done. Like spending time with troubled youth with drinking problems, pissing in a cup twice a day, and paying gerald bills. Also if he screws it up in anyway its right to jail.
I love BL’s style of bikes, but that doesn’t make him right. I don’t think he will end up in jail so the state should exploit his fame for some kinda good if they can.
Chris N.