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Update on "5 cyclists killed in Kalamazoo"

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Update on "5 cyclists killed in Kalamazoo"

Old 06-12-18, 11:01 AM
  #276  
Equinox
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In my opinion, the sentence should have been life in prison without the possibility of parole. The fact that the sentences are served concurrently doesn't seem right. I seems like the killings after the first one are of lesser importance. If it were a like sentence, then it wouldn't matter.
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Old 06-12-18, 12:06 PM
  #277  
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Yeah, seems like even the possibility of release is too lenient. I'm not a lawyer, but I do know that sometimes legal choices are made on the basis of technicalities. Perhaps serving concurrently lessens the risk of sentencing being overturned on appeal.

As a practical matter it probably doesn't matter. Looks like he's packed on weight while in jail, not sure he'll live to age 90.
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Old 06-12-18, 04:00 PM
  #278  
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Originally Posted by Equinox
In my opinion, the sentence should have been life in prison without the possibility of parole. The fact that the sentences are served concurrently doesn't seem right. I seems like the killings after the first one are of lesser importance. If it were a like sentence, then it wouldn't matter.
Technically speaking sentence for each of the five deaths are not concurrent:
- death #1 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #2 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #3 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #4 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #5 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
Gives a total sentence of 40 to 75 years for the operating while intoxicated causing death charges.

In addition to the operating while intoxicated charges, he was also sentenced to five counts of second degree second degree murder. The total sentence for these five murder charges is 35 to 55 years. This sentence is concurrent with the 40 to 75 years above.

In addition to the charges listed above, Pickett was also sentenced for four counts of operating while intoxicated resulting in serious injury. Each of these counts is 3 to 5 years and these sentences are concurrent with the 40 to 75 and 35 to 55 from above.

For a man his age, the normal life expectancy is another 30 years - so chances are greater than not that he will die in prison.
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Old 06-12-18, 04:17 PM
  #279  
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Originally Posted by mev
Technically speaking sentence for each of the five deaths are not concurrent:
- death #1 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #2 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #3 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #4 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #5 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
Gives a total sentence of 40 to 75 years for the operating while intoxicated causing death charges.

In addition to the operating while intoxicated charges, he was also sentenced to five counts of second degree second degree murder. The total sentence for these five murder charges is 35 to 55 years. This sentence is concurrent with the 40 to 75 years above.

In addition to the charges listed above, Pickett was also sentenced for four counts of operating while intoxicated resulting in serious injury. Each of these counts is 3 to 5 years and these sentences are concurrent with the 40 to 75 and 35 to 55 from above.

For a man his age, the normal life expectancy is another 30 years - so chances are greater than not that he will die in prison.
I realize it's just a technicality, and the reality is he will die in prison. However, I stand by my initial statement. Murder was his most serious offense. It appears there is not additional sanction after the first murder. Why not sentence him to 175 years in prison? He destroyed so many lives here. I really don't mean to argue. I understand what the likely outcome for this murderer will be.
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Old 06-13-18, 06:41 AM
  #280  
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Originally Posted by mev
Technically speaking sentence for each of the five deaths are not concurrent:
- death #1 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #2 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #3 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #4 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
- death #5 = 8 to 15 years (operating while intoxicated)
Gives a total sentence of 40 to 75 years for the operating while intoxicated causing death charges.

In addition to the operating while intoxicated charges, he was also sentenced to five counts of second degree second degree murder. The total sentence for these five murder charges is 35 to 55 years. This sentence is concurrent with the 40 to 75 years above.

In addition to the charges listed above, Pickett was also sentenced for four counts of operating while intoxicated resulting in serious injury. Each of these counts is 3 to 5 years and these sentences are concurrent with the 40 to 75 and 35 to 55 from above.

For a man his age, the normal life expectancy is another 30 years - so chances are greater than not that he will die in prison.
So wait, he got 8-15 per for operating while intoxicated but only 7-11 per for second degree murder? How does that work?
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Old 06-13-18, 01:53 PM
  #281  
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Originally Posted by himespau
So wait, he got 8-15 per for operating while intoxicated but only 7-11 per for second degree murder? How does that work?
https://wwmt.com/news/local/charles-pickett-sentenced
​​​​​
This article made it a bit more clear than the first one I read. It seems like his five convictions for murder 2 are served concurrently and are presumably 35-55 years each. The charges for operating under the influence are 8-15 years each and are to be served consecutively so this makes the 40-75 year sentence.

The article also quoted, "the judge called his actions 'too violent and horrifying ' to stick with the sentencing guidelines"
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Old 06-14-18, 05:39 AM
  #282  
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Justice has been served.
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Old 06-17-18, 04:01 PM
  #283  
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@cb400bill: That is a beautiful memorial. To me, the circle symbolizes the continuity of life and how we are all connected.
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Old 07-02-20, 06:27 PM
  #284  
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Michigan Supreme Court won't hear appeal from Charles Pickett, who killed 5 bicyclists

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/...ts/5354963002/
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Old 07-02-20, 08:38 PM
  #285  
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Originally Posted by cb400bill

Michigan Supreme Court won't hear appeal from Charles Pickett, who killed 5 bicyclists

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/...ts/5354963002/
Thanks for the update.
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Old 07-02-20, 08:57 PM
  #286  
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His earliest release date is 2056? Does that mean all the people he killed get returned to society too?
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Old 07-03-20, 07:22 AM
  #287  
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Originally Posted by Digger Goreman
His earliest release date is 2056? Does that mean all the people he killed get returned to society too?
They won't get returned if he stays in jail either.

There's a very good chance Pickett will die in prison (he'd be 90 at the release date).
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Old 07-03-20, 02:41 PM
  #288  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
They won't get returned if he stays in jail either.

There's a very good chance Pickett will die in prison (he'd be 90 at the release date).
Pretty sure while in jail he will not be able to mow down any other individuals.
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Old 07-03-20, 08:26 PM
  #289  
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Originally Posted by OldTryGuy
Pretty sure while in jail he will not be able to mow down any other individuals.
A person like that should be executed, why should taxpayers have to pay for his room and board till he's 90? A lot of these types of people should just be put to death, it won't bring the dead back, but like I said, at least we're not spending our taxes on keeping some low life alive to serve no more purpose in life.
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Old 07-04-20, 04:50 AM
  #290  
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Originally Posted by greatscott
A person like that should be executed, why should taxpayers have to pay for his room and board till he's 90? A lot of these types of people should just be put to death, it won't bring the dead back, but like I said, at least we're not spending our taxes on keeping some low life alive to serve no more purpose in life.
Because the US believes in incarceration.
Largest prison population on the earth.
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Old 07-05-20, 07:56 AM
  #291  
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Originally Posted by Digger Goreman
His earliest release date is 2056? Does that mean all the people he killed get returned to society too?
Afraid not, but the only consolation we get is he will have a long time to think about his actions while not being able to do this terrible deed again.
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Old 07-05-20, 08:16 AM
  #292  
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Originally Posted by greatscott
A person like that should be executed, why should taxpayers have to pay for his room and board till he's 90? A lot of these types of people should just be put to death, it won't bring the dead back, but like I said, at least we're not spending our taxes on keeping some low life alive to serve no more purpose in life.
Originally Posted by bikebikebike
Because the US believes in incarceration.
Largest prison population on the earth.
Costs are somewhat ambiguous, but most reports indicate that it is more expensive to execute a person than to incarcerate the person for the rest of their lives.

How we went down the path is hard to say, but we have had a number of death row cases that have been overturned over the last couple of decades. New DNA evidence?

In the past, hangings were far too rapidly administered. And, vigilante lynchings were much worse.

In the modern era, generally capital crimes require some element of premeditation, or killing of law enforcement officers. I doubt Picket's case would have ever been elevated that far. As it is, his sentence is mighty long for a traffic accident.
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Old 07-05-20, 08:46 AM
  #293  
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CliffordK, you had me till "accident"....
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Old 07-05-20, 08:52 AM
  #294  
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Originally Posted by Digger Goreman
CliffordK, you had me till "accident"....
Yeah, evidence proved that was no accident. On top of which he was exceedingly drunk and high. He had no business operating a 4000 lb weapon on wheels.
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Old 07-05-20, 09:57 AM
  #295  
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This was murder, not a high grade, but murder.
Intoxication does not free one from responsibility. It is active negligence and an equivalent of intent.
The concept of killing in the context of other crime, as in felony murder is well established.
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Old 07-05-20, 10:16 AM
  #296  
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I posted the link to the Michigan Supreme Court report as it is relevant to entire story. We don't need to retry the case or argue about the sentence anymore.

Thread closed.
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