Ripples of the Toyota Recall: Is an Innocent Man in Prison?

[itsrobert]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/25/crimesider/entry6242320.shtml

Ripples of the Toyota Recall: Is an Innocent Man in Prison?
Posted by Kevin Hayes

Photo: Lee wipes away tears in prison.

Ripples of the Toyota Recall: Is an Innocent Man in Prison?

"I know 100 percent in my heart that I took my foot off the gas and that I was stepping on the brakes as hard as possible," Lee said in an interview yesterday at the state prison in Lino Lakes, north of Minneapolis.

The car he was driving was a Toyota.

A jury found Lee guilty of criminal vehicular homicide for the deaths of Javis Adams, Javis's 10-year-old son, Javis Jr., and Javis's 7-year-old niece Devyn Bolton.

The family members of those killed in the accident, who condemned Lee at his sentencing, now believe he is innocent and are preparing a lawsuit against Toyota. Phil Carruthers, who prosecuted Lee, says that if Lee's car was defective, "We don't want an innocent man sitting in prison." Toyota had no comment on Lee's case.


more at link

[OhioChick]

1. Rec'd n/t

[MindPilot]

2. I don't understand why there was even a trial

He wasn't impaired...it was an accident. In a civilized society people aren't punished for accidents...oh wait, never mind.

Sometimes I think the juries are the ones who should be in prison. But having been excused from several juries, there is no doubt in my mind that the very first pass of the voir dire examination focused on removing anyone and everyone who had any automotive technical expertise.

[Amonester]

3. oh... he's not... white...

wonders how a picture of the jury would look like...

mmm?

[Festivito]

4. He's STILL in prison. This story's been out for weeks.

Maybe the word justice should have been placed a little closer to the beginning of our Constitution.

[Kokonoe]

5. Maybe he can prove it was Toyota.

But it may be impossible to show the Justice system made a mistake.

[NNN0LHI]

6. I would say we have a case of a "reasonable doubt" here

This man needs a new trial ASAP.

Don

[Trillo]

7. One thing is for sure if he gets out,

He'll be affected by his experience for the rest of his life.