gregf83 

I wouldn’t knock your legal system as the alternative of ‘quick’ justice has been tried before and is worse. The main injury to the families has already occurred. It’s better to take the time to reach a fair and proper conclusion.

canklecat

The Sixth Amendment protects the right of the accused to a speedy trial. It does not guarantee the victims' right to a speedy trial. It's the job of the prosecutors representing the people to seek justice for victims.

In many cases where the accused can afford better than cursory representation by a court appointed attorney, a delay serves both sides equally well when the accused presents the defense with a difficult case, or when the prosecution needs time to gather incriminating evidence (DNA, interviews of witnesses, etc.).

Pickett may be a reprehensible human being but he's the accused at this point, not "the killer" until he's been convicted.

rydabent

Yes we all know that, but it really hard to ignore all those pesky dead people that scream from their graves for justice.

jefnvk

Define "justice".

He is in jail, not out in public. He has not been exonerated, or freed. He is utilizing the legal avenues available to him, as is the prosecution. Having a conviction now may satisfy those who are impatient, but rushing things often leads to sloppy work and more chances to appeal at a later date. I'd rather take the time and spend an extra year getting a conviction that is airtight, than having it done with and then successfully appealed.

Like it or not, our courts are not based on acting the same as criminals, and I think that is a very good thing. I can be better than the person I am sentencing to prison.

cb400bill

It's been a while since we've had any news. But, finally things may start moving forward again.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...se/1065550001/

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Michigan Supreme Court has decided against hearing an appeal of murder charges against a man involved in a crash that killed and injured multiple bicyclists.

Kalamazoo County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Scott Brower tells the Kalamazoo Gazette that following Wednesday's order by the state's highest court the case will move toward a possible trial.

Ballenxj

Thanks for the update. I think his attorney is grasping at straws, indicated by what he said here;
"Pickett's lawyer has argued that the evidence wasn't enough to send Pickett to trial for second-degree murder. He said the evidence established, at most, the elements of reckless driving causing death."
This tells me that even his attorney knows he's in deep doodoo.

Maelochs

Thanks for the update.

And thanks for the reasonable, logical voices.

So many people let their emotions drive them ... here's the deal. Some day people might blame you for something you didn't do, and might get so worked up they actually convince themselves of things that aren't real.

If that did happen, you would hope and pray that reasonable people won out.

If this guy is totally guilty, then let him be so judged---reasonably, based on fact and reasonable analysis of evidence. As soon as we start using power to make ourselves feel better ... before long we forget why people are calling us Nazis or Klansmen or homophobes or fascists.

Based on what seems to be the facts revealed so far ... there really isn’t a penalty severe enough for this guy.

That doesn’t mean we should justify injustice.

There are no “dead bodies screaming from the grave.”

The justice system is thoroughly borked. Anyone who has dealt with it much knows that.

However, saying “We should use it to get what we want because we are the Good people who want the right thing” ... that is what all the people who commit grave injustice say.

Nothing brings back the dead. However, not preserving whatever vestiges of an actual System of Justice has the potential to create a huge increase in the number of dead.

If the guy, Pickett, really is the hateful, violent, uncaring, drug-addled man the articles make him seem to be ... he will pay in full and it will be terrible for him and that is Good. And if all that is done properly, without creating more bad karma, Much the better.

CliffordK

I'm surprised the supreme court took up the case before the trial.

The option, of course, is to take the case to trial. Picket will be either found guilty of second degree murder, or reckless endangerment, or perhaps even acquitted, or sentenced to "time served".

Then depending on what the trial proves, and once the evidence on both sides has been laid out, appeal the decision to the supreme court.

Of course, there is apparently a lot of back-room deals on what can or can not be told to jurors.

Maelochs

Hard to imagine the drug use and impaired driving won't be mentioned. hard to imagine witness testimony of what actually happened right there on the road would be excluded. Past acts are always an issue ... but this one act was pretty straightforward I think.

Anyway ... this might be one to check back with occasionally.

FBinNY 

I have no opinion on the pretrial procedural and evidentiary motions, and am happy to let the process run it's course. The defense must file these, including raising the question of over charging. Failure to do so could be evidence of inadequate representation and grounds for a subsequent appeal.

So, making sure that every I is dotted and T crossed makes sense.

However, I've lost the thread, and wonder if anyone knows if bail has been set and made, or if the defendant is awaiting trial in jail. If the latter, I have no problem with the trial being put off as long as his attorney wants.

cb400bill

The perp is still in custody awaiting trial.

FBinNY 

Thanks, Then as far as I care, he can continue to file motions until the cows come home.

Ballenxj

In my humble opinion, that's the best place for him right now.

cb400bill

New trial date set in Kalamazoo fatal bicycle crash | MLive.com

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A new trial date has been set in the fatal Kalamazoo bicycle crash.

Charles Pickett Jr., 51, will stand trial in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court in April. A settlement conference is scheduled for Friday, April 13, and jury selection for the trial is scheduled to start Monday, April 23.

Ballenxj

Thanks again for the update.

Ballenxj

Still watching. I would hate to see this forgotten...

FBinNY 

You can rest assured it won't be. There are too many interested parties, including the DA who's been pushing murder charges.

Actually, I expect that it'll end up being settled via a plea bargain, but given the circumstances, it won't be much of a bargain at all.

Ballenxj

It certainly was no bargain for those cyclists that got hit from behind, and I hope they keep that in mind.

cb400bill

I've been keeping an eye on this for 18 months now. I've since ridden with three of the four survivors. You can rest assured that this isn't getting forgot about.

Edit: I only report something when there is something to report.

Ballenxj

Thank You, and I understand you have to wait for news as and when it happens. It's just that this was so wrong, and burns me up every time I think about it. I just hope for a fair trial, but also fair representation of the now deceased.

seeker333

Thanks for keeping BF readers informed on outcome of this case.

seeker333

Trial underway:

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/...rial_jury.html

Oneder

Surprising it doesn't happen more often. I imagine he will wind up getting 50 years. Trial time may seem slow but the longer the wait the more likely to wind up with a conviction, and he is already in jail so no worries.

Ballenxj

Still waiting to see verdict. What a horrible thing to happen.

Milton Keynes

I suspect he knows he's going up the river, so why not drag it out in a trial? He's got nothing at all to lose by going to trial.