(update) Not guilty plea in 4 riders' deaths (.373 % repeat DWI)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101025/NEWS97/710259892/0#not-guilty-plea-in-riders-deaths

Published Monday October 25, 2010

Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20101025&Category=NEWS97&ArtNo=710259892&Ref=AR&Profile=1031404&maxw=600&maxh=400
Rescue personnel attend to the four motorcycle victims that were struck by a north bound pick up truck at the Little Sioux exit on I- 29 Monday Aug. 9, 2010.


The one-time University of Nebraska honors student accused in the construction-zone crash that killed four motorcyclists has pleaded not guilty.

Andrew Schlichtemeier, 21, entered the written plea Friday. He was charged with four counts of motor vehicle homicide in September, 6½ weeks after the Aug. 9 deaths of Dale Aspedon, Steven Benscoter, Jay Bock and Dennis Chaney.

Authorities said Schlichtemeier was northbound in a pickup on Interstate 29 near Little Sioux, Iowa, when he crossed into the path of the motorcycles in an area where the Interstate was reduced to two lanes.

Schlichtemeier’s blood-alcohol level measured .373 percent after the incident, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

FULL story at link.

[Brickbat]

1. The defense wouldn't get to see all the evidence unless he pleaded not guilty?

I don't understand that. In any case, it sure makes the defendant look even more like an ass. Sad story all around.

[MadMaddie]

2. Wow his blood alcohol level was .373 and this

happened in a construction zone?

Why not take responsibility for what he did? He killed four people. I just don't understand this.

[Omaha Steve]

5. Effects At Specific B.A.C. Levels

21 years old and enough resistance to not be in a coma.


http://www.brad21.org/effects_at_specific_bac.html

The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly influenced by individual variations among users. Some users may become intoxicated at a much lower Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level than is shown.

0.02-0.03 BAC: No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded.

0.04-0.06 BAC: Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution. Your behavior may become exaggerated and emotions intensified (Good emotions are better, bad emotions are worse)

0.07-0.09 BAC: Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired, .08 is legally impaired and it is illegal to drive at this level. You will probably believe that you are functioning better than you really are.

0.10-0.125 BAC: Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.

0.13-0.15 BAC: Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired.

0.16-0.19 BAC: Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."

0.20 BAC: Felling dazed, confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand or walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some people experience nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened.

0.25 BAC: All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents.

0.30 BAC: STUPOR. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken.

0.35 BAC: Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia.

0.40 BAC and up: Onset of coma, and possible death due to
respiratory arrest.

[madinmaryland]

3. I would think it is SOP to plead "not guilty" in a case like this.

There will be a plea deal worked out. I assume this is all legal posturing.

I'm surprised the guy was actually able to walk to the vehicle and start it up. 0.373 is REALLY FUCKED UP. He's lucky he actually survived being the drunk.

[bettyellen]

4. repeat DWI offenders should be treated much more harshly, IMHO.....

if they need help reaching bottom so they can turn their lives around, we should help them with that.