I was with Billy last Thursday at a private event. Although we very rarely talked about his legal issues during the last 2 1/2 years, but knowing that his trial was starting on Monday February 9th, I asked him if it was possible for him to get probation. His answer was that he already knew that it was no an option acceptable by the prosecution. I hinted that a plea bargain could be worked out. He said maybe. Now I can confirm that his defense attorney Gregory Eisenmenger, and State Attorney Tom Brown stepped before Judge Robert Burger to announce that a plea deal is in the works. Contrary to a lot of and irresponsible and false information published on many websites and forums, Billy has a very good relation with Gerald Morelock’s family and it’s much better this way for both parties. This case needs to end, and whatever the agreement reached between Billy Lane and the State Attorney my position has never changed during these last 2 1.2 years and will not change today or tomorrow. You can read HERE what I wrote in October 2006..
Billy Lane Trial. Plea Bargain In The Works.
Published by February 5th, 2009 in Builders, Controls, Editorial and Events.48 Responses to “Billy Lane Trial. Plea Bargain In The Works.”
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I have read what you have posted here and many other articles over the web. Whatever the outcome I hope it will be just. No matter what the media will portray it in whatever light that they feel will bring them the most publicity.
All the motorcycle industry supports Billy Lane in this very difficult time. There are no winners in such cases. Peace to the Morelock family & Billy. (thanks Cyril for always being fair and honest in all your reports).
Peace, peace, peace.
There’s an old Irish saying “When you live in an Irishman’s heart, you live rent free”
Your Image of the week ran “Don’t let Friends ride your bike” I’m thinking the few friends that I do have can dent my tank, total my bike, or whatever. It aint my place to judge my very few friends. All I can do is support them.
Billy always portrayed himself as a Hell raiser. He’s getting judged by that portrayal. Right or wrong, it is what it is.
This is a situation that could have been taken care of long ago instead of being dragged on. There is NO DOUBT Mr. Lane did it!
There is NO DOUBT Mr. Lane should be punished! Will it be fair, that remains to be seen.
Bobberiz ,
Maybe YOU should be punished for being Mr Lanes Judge ! People who throw rocks live in glass houses don’t they Bobberiz ?
Bobberiz,
Get back under your bridge, troll.
Bobberiz,
I read Cyril’s blog everyday. And when ever there is something negative to be said, you are the one saying it. No one is saying Billy DIDN’T do it. He knows it, he is doing whatever it takes to keep peace with the Morelock family, and God. Just try for once in your life to be understanding.
It must be very hard for you that you are always so miserable.
You don’t even know Billy… Icy is correct, People that live in Glass houses Should NOT throw stones.
I just wish some people would realize, this could happen to anyone who throws back a cold one and drives. Being responsible applies to the famous and the average joe. I wish the Morelock family the best and wish billy the best. I hope the judge can in someway use billy’s fame and Billy to educate people on the ill effects of Drinking and Driving.
What can we say… Good luck Billy. Wishing you the least time behind bars for this incident.
Keith G, Thank you. I have been saying that for 2 years now… we have all gotten behind the wheel or on our bikes after a few drinks… THANK YOU!
While I don’t believe in defending a drunk driver, no matter who he is or what his celebrity status is, I do believe in equal rights for everyone. However this is dealt with it needs to be done as if the defendant were any other driver.
Uh, no, not all of us have gotten behind the wheel or on our bike after drinking, not all of us drink.
Icy,Mike & Karen You are the ones with the problem all you bleeding hearts and whiners have no sense at all. This has been a big charade orchestrated by LAWYERS with on thing in mind, circumventing justice and getting Billy of SCOTT FREE.What is it that makes you all such cattle. If it where anyone of us the cell door would already be locked.Everytime I saw Billy he was not far from a JACK DANIELS bottle and it is time justice is served. 2 years is 2 years too long.
Like I have said many times in this blog and in interviews, Billy should have his day in Court and then, and only then, shall his guilt or innocence and/or punishment be determined by that court. The court of public opinion means nothing herein.
If Billy is indeed working on a plea bargain who does that surprise? The DA filing the last set of charges was nothing more than a shot across the bow of the Defense which screams “Let’s make a deal!”. You or I or anyone with a brain would try and make the best deal possible in this same situation so why should Billy be any different.
The bottom line here is this: If Billy does enter a Plea Agreement part of that agreement will require him to Plead Guilty to whatever charges are finally reached, the Guilty Plea should give comfort to those of you anxious for his blood, it should help with closure for the family, it will be closure legally for the State of Florida and I am sure the guilty plea will give Billy himself some closure mentally. Further, with whatever the court determines to be Billy’s punishment will be what he will serve whether it be community service, jail time, probation or any combination therein ….. again nothing that is said here will carry any weight in the Judges determination.
I have always liked Billy and I, like so many others, am sorry that this whole incident ever happened. It was a terrible tragedy for the family of the decease, for the motorcycle industry and for Billy and his family. In the end maybe some good will come of it. Who knows what that may be at this time.
Over and Out,
Jeff
If all this buzz over BL can make others [many others] think before “throw-n back a cold one and drive-n”… Well, that in itself may be the best ya can expect from this tragedy.
In any case, it sure as Hell would be more than any Judge could accomplish in putting a lid on, what seems an ever increasing population of “Beer-Morons.”
Anyway, that’s how i see it.
-nicker-
hi booberiz
just one question
you never ever drink ?
what apen to billy can apen to everybody and jail is not a solution
jail is destruction
alan
Bobber something or another.
Everyone fucks up except for you? Are you the “Second Coming”? I’ve been to “Fresno County” a few times, but never the “Joint”. Just lucky I guess. Billy will pay his dues, but your issue with him sounds more personal. He pisses off older bikers( with many more years experience) and acted like a bit of shit to some of my best friends down in Az. They will never forget. But really, if I was drunk and didn’t look to my right before pulling out into the road, dead is what I’d be. My fucking fault for not looking. What did he do to you?
Mark Shubin
Sandy Ut.
Jeff Nicklus , Mark Shubin & Alan….I applaud all three of you.. Obvious 3 men with brains and intelligence. Bobberiz : I’ll say it again, I think it is so sad that you are always so miserable and sad. No matter what, and as I have also said before, maybe a little jealous of Billy.
I know him, he is a good man, good heart. He did what he did, yes it was horrible but it is done. I would love to meet up with you at a bike week sometime, see what your drinking (or doing) and just see if you get on your bike…. Don’t throw Stones…. every one of us live in glass houses at one time or another. And none of us are Bleeding hearts as you say. We understand the truth. and Your comment about “everytime you see Billy he is around a Jack Daniels bottle” well little man, that is so NOT true. You have seen him somewhere, but you haven’t ever hung out with him…
If you have never walked in his shoes, you really can’t say anything… Some of us have. You know nothing…
There for the Grace of God goeth I.
No one wins in this situation except the lawyers.
No one should judge there their fellow citizens unless they are a ”Judge” and in full possession of all the facts.
It was a good article on him in the latest Horse mag. .Nice Knuckle as well
James
I pass by Billy’s shop often which doesn’t look like it’s there anymore or so I realized just today. Was curious about the case and came upon this thread. In reality what more can anyone say? Pride goes before the fall and opinions aside, we all reap what we sow eventually. The opinions expressed seem to be more reflective of personal biases rather than facts though. I live in Brevard and with the whole six degrees of separation, the circles I’ve run in and the people I’ve spent time with, it’s not hard to put the pieces of a puzzle together. Everyone deserves a second chance though, even thirds etc . . . I’ve done some pretty dumb things and fortunately no one ever got seriously hurt or killed. We all walk a fine line in life and often the truth of a situation is clouded by the opinions of those with a vested interest in seeing successful people brought down or in some cases those that stand a little too close to ground zero. Man, did that make any sense?
Chillidog
Yep Chillidog, I hear what you are saying, but you have to take responibility for your actions as well, regardless of the consequences, whether good or bad. I am sure that when we’re all younger, we did some really dumb shit, I know I did, and I am lucky that came out the other side okay, without hurting myself or others. Hopefully once things are settled w/ Billy and the state of FL, in regards to the charges, all of the parties involved (Mr. Morelock’s family and Mr. Lane) can reach closure and go on with their lives. I am sure that everyone involved in this chaos wants to move on with their lives and go forward. If Billy does have to serve time in a correctional facility, then I hope that he can find some peace, reflect and ensure that he has a solid game plan so (if or when, depending on the specifics of the plea bargain) the time comes for him to enter back into society as a citizen, then he can avoid the mistakes that he made and “press on” as my old T.I in basic training used to tell us when we hit a SNAFU. A good attitude and positive outlook is a serious contributing factor on how our life goes. Get through the bad shit and look forward to the good things in our lives. Anyhow, gonna get off of the soapbox, the line is getting long.
Lane was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol on charges of driving under the influence (twice the legal limit), driving on a suspended license and vehicular manslaughter. I concure Billy is innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law. BUT a PLEA BARGIN is an admission of GUILT! The only difference is a jury of his peers is taken out of the loop and his fate will be a DEAL not a Conviction. So let me ask you all of you this – If it where your brother,mother,father or best friend lost due to the careless and malicous act of another which could have been avoided would you just throw up your hands and route for the party which caused all the pain. Because if you would as you have indicated in this blog then you have proved you are the hollow headed poser wanna be Billy Lanes you sound like.
Mr. Lane is sorry and very remorseful your honer.All he did was go into a bar ( pull the 9mm out ) have a couple of drinks ( Load the clip with every drink ) leave the bar ( put the clip in the gun ) Ride to his shop and change vehicles ( pull the gun out ) start driving to another place ( pull the hammer back ) and hit Gerald Morlock head on ( pull the trigger ). But it was an accident and did not mean to do it.
http://www.mikeodom.name/2006/11/07/gerry-morelock-tribute
Get to know the man that is not alive because of Irresponsibility.
Chances are Billy will do less than six months if any and have no drivers license for three years.
( which won’t matter,because after two months he will be driving without a license ) The law applies only to people who don’t have money. Thanks to the lawyers and judges.
I am done making comments because I am being judged for the way I see things , SO whom is better, me for judging Billy or you for judging me. Morlock is still dead because of alcohol.
No matter what you think about Billy Lane as a person, it is not for any of us to decide what his punishment should be or if it is just. It is reported here Billy is on good terms with Gerald Morelock’s family. It was also posted on Mike Odom’s blog site that Byron Morelock, Gerlald’s brother, will be very much involved in whatever the plea is.
To bad if anyone doesn’t like the outcome, it will be over soon. For all you so mad about what happened, if the other driver was not Billy Lane, would any of you care? Would any of you even know?
It is time for everyone to move on from this.
Gutterrat
Thanks for the link. http://www.mikeodom.name/2006/11/07/gerry-morelock-tribute
That’s a perspective that’s been missing.
Bottom line, it’s a God damned tragedy.
End of story….. 🙁
-nicker-
I am sorry that Mr. Morelock is dead, and I am very sorry his family had to go through this. However has everyone forgotten??? Mr. Morelock was DRUNK ALSO. And Driving a moped??? and SPEEDING… there are a few things to consider about this entire situation. Nicker is correct, this is a damned tragedy… but Billy will pay for what he has done, and he is already paying now…
Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts about this, but please come on…. enough. All of these blogs, sure they are interesting to read. But Billy has to answer to a higher power… ENOUGH OF BILLY BASHING…
Bobberiz,
Its is a deal but also a CONVICTION….just stop talking now.
Billy bashing???.. the scum bag killed a fellow human being while intoxicated! Hang ’em!
Bobberiz,
You said “due to the careless and malicous act”. Malicious would indicate that he did it intentionally and in a mean spirited manner. I think not.
Like someone else stated, if it were any ordinary citizen, you’d never hear of it, but since it involved a celebrity, the media is all over it. Shamefull, but not at all surprising. Let the judge (The REAL one) decide what punishment is proper.
Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. That way, you’re a mile away, and you have his shoes.
It’s a shame that Billy Lane did something a little crazy and it turned out badly. We have all been ramped up at times and did a burnout or pulled a wheelie or climbed into a vehicle after drinking and got home with no problem, I can tell you from experience sometimes you fuck up and it turns out bad. Unfortunatly for all parties involved this one turned out bad and Billy isen’t ducking out on anything, he is simply trying to survive it.
Billy was scheduled for trial this morning …. so possibly, if a plea agreement was reached with the Prosecution, it is all over by now.
Over & Out,
Jeff
He is guilty he knows it. The victom who was in the truck was not. She is a victom also. She is harrased everyday and treated like crap bye so called bikers. I know Billy very well I have had my trailer next to his at several events around the country and around the world at several events. He is guilty and he knows it. Is he sorry the only one who can answer that is him. I personaly dont think so. I dont know what to think he has changed in so many ways. I do know this he will do atleast seven or more years in jail, In florida and most states now if you are convicted for a dui resulting in a death you will never drive or ride in this country again. Besides the fact that he had 2 other Duis in the same year. So when you think all will be ok or you think what he did was a mistake think about this, I have ben to over 100 events with Billy and before this happened I have never seen him with out a gallon of jack in his hand or on a daily basis. See mistakes are made when you go to the bar and drink a couple beers and then run into a car not when you get hammered and kill someone. That is not a mistake it is a time bomb waiting to explode and it did I wish it never happened I realy do.
So before you talk smack and blabla bla me, go in to the other room look at your kids your wife or call your mom or dad and picture them at the end of his bumper dead and tell me what you think.
To sum it up I whish he regreted what he did and he wont until he is sitting in a room alone with no tools no bikes no women and no booze. I have told him everything I have wrote here and I am sad because I do miss my friend Billy Lane but he has ben gone since our friend Indian larry passed on and we have all changed for good or bad.
Wow..when I read all these posts, it amazes me that people are missing the point here. It isn’t that this could happen to anyone..we all know that. It’s that the guy is such a pussy and a hippocrite. Read his book! He boasts about hangin’ with the one percenters, being brought up to account for your actions by his great parents, and being a rebel rouser with long hair. From day one, he had his lawyers challenged the eveidence, cut his hair to re-invent his image, and take pictures off his website of him drinking. If he really was the man he said he was, and I’m not saying that I am, he would’ve pleaded guilty immediately..!!!!! He’s a poser, with hair extensions (lol) and a fraud.
And, you people who say you know him..why do you think you do because you met him at a bike show? And, how much money do you think a guy like he made for the measly four years he boomed in the industry? This whole thing isn’t about a guy with money who manipulated the system, it’s about a pussy/fraud who manipulated the system to get his assets in order, then made a plea when he knew he exhasted all options. Would I do the same? Maybe, but I didn’t write a book and portray myself as being some tough guy biker. bitch..!!
hole shit Adam X. you hit the nail right on the head.
Looks like what we have here is another round of throwing Billy under the bus !! This may be the final round as the “Trial” is now coming to the end. Quess what ?, you don’t have to throw Billy under the bus, he jumped in front of it ! I have know Billy for many years and he has always been an upfront guy to me. With that being said, for all you people who think you know him, know this,Billy is an Americian citizen excerising his right’s .Bottom line is you can write any trash you want, fact or fiction, the fact of the matter is he has the right defend himself.
This is Americia remember. Right or wrong, I know for a fact that it was one of us “poor folk” in the same situation, the results would surely be different. Billy has money from his talents, he’s using that money to settle his law suits and defend himself. Is it justice or “Just Us” ?
It’s America, Love or it ,Leave it , or Change it. Our thoughts and prayers go out the all the family’s involved, Billy WILL DO jail time, his taking of a life is not at question here, that’s a fact, a fact he has to live with. If the victims family have make their peace with Billy,as it has been rumored, then so should all of you Billy Basher’s .Billy knows he is guility, you don’t have to tell him that, and he will do whatever time the system gives him. Don”t judge a man until you walk in his shoe’s.
, and Billy my friend, your shoes are one’s that I don’t want to be in right now !
Let us not forget that GOD FORGIVES . So we should also . Put our trust and faith in JESUS . Let us pray for both families . If we focus on that JESUS he will see things out . He always does . GREG HONORBOUND MM , EL PASO TEXAS .
who gives a rat ass theres other things going on around this world and govt at home
lifes too short stop bitchen
Lane WILL get prison time, just a matter of how much. 3 to 5 years is very light. 7 to 10 average these days. Florida prison is so damn draconian. It seems God did not invent hell, people did. Misery just loves company, and bruised people must be at one anothers throats. Sad state of affairs for american society. And the karma of it all is the economy is down the shitter and even the banks are going bankrupt.
Everybody just wants to pass judgement. Billy’s been paying for it since the day it happened, and will pay the rest of his life. Between the media and the rumors it’s hard to figure out what true and what’s bullshit.
I’ve read a lot of post from people that only know what they read in the paper. Or worse heard it from someone who heard it from someone who read it in the paper. Even some one who posts he’s a fraud and pussy for dragging this on. He should have got it over with right away. I know Billy and nobody wants this over with more then him.
AdamX,
The word is spelled ‘Hypocrite’ not hippocrite.
At least learn how to use a spell-checker.
Thank you for correcting my spelling, BahBah Booey. All of you have made good points, but my point is simple..read his book. People keep writing that we don’t know Billy. Well, he presents himself and what he’s about in Chop Fiction. I’m just reciting what he wrote in his book..that is where I’m drawing my conclusion from.
Isn’t this the day the “plea deal” is made public? Seems it’s way past time to give the Morelock family the justice they deserve. Time for Billy to “Man UP”.
All you Billy butt-kissing bleeding hearts make me sick. An accident? Yeah right. This drunken idiot is a repeat offender. Sympathy for Lane? He’s a killer. He needs to do time. A lot of it. Read his book? I wouldn’t read his book or buy any garbage from his shop…ever. Lane is a P.O.S. whose time is long overdue.
see billy drink see billy drive dont be billy be someone else but dont be your self because you aint shit. every one feels sorry for the movie star ,the rock star,the mr easy rider motorcycle star what about the every day mother fucker that kills some one put him in jail right?
I first saw Billy Lane on the biker build off, he struck me as a complete poser, his bike broke down a couple of times on the run and he slagged off his oponent the whole time. Welll then his bike caught fire as the twat had been running it for miles with petrol leaking from a poorly welded fuel tank.
But of course he was so much more of a real biker them the other guy was’nt he? Yes a complete disregard for the basic safety everyone else has to observe when riding a motorcycle he was so full of himself.
then we here he has killed someone whilst carrying out a dangerous, illegal manouver and according to the police reports over the permitted alcahol level. Then also we find he is already on two other charges for DUI.
Its not judgement that leads us to condem him but the facts, he ACTED like an irresponsible twat in the shows, and in real life too. Well now someone is dead because of it and you can explain it however you like he has been squirming like a rat ever since to get away with it. He is a talentless, posing, twat and has killed someone whilst driving drunk.
If this had been a cager killing a biker everyone would have been beying for blood, because its a bike builder killing a moped rider you all support him, try and get some objectivity here, lane is a fake, he acts like something he isnt and he is a crap bike builder to boot.. Real bikers ride and riding is their high not booze. All the bar hoping assholes are not bikers the just boozers who risk killing anyone of us everyday!
A little harsh Harley Rider!!!! Do you even know him??? I know Billy and he is actually avery nice guy, polite and caring. Yes maybe a bit of a hell raiser. He has to live with this his whole life. Yes it sucks he took someones life but it is not like he woke up and said I’m gonna kill someone. I never heard his bikes suck. I actually know someone who has a couple of them. No problem there. Lighten up!!!!! Get a life!!!!
Hi Pamela
Well no prizes for working out that you most likely dont know him at all and want to get me wound up for a reply… here it is.
No I dont know him, like most of the world I only know what he portrays whilst he is filling our TV screens, whilst we are looking at biker build off.
Whilst he is there on TV he goes out of his way to condence into 60 minutes or so what an absolute posing, fake, prat he is. My lasting impressions are of a person who always drank too much and then rode around without any idea of safety for himself or others.
He may be polite and caring, if he is caring should he not have given out a better example for all the people watching him and then trying to be like him? How many new drunken bar hoppers do we have to thank him for?
It ‘sucks that he took someones life’ well thats really an understatement. You drop your motorbike on some oil that sucks, you stub your toe on the way to the toilet in the morning, that sucks!
You get in a truck OVER TWICE the legal limit for the THIRD time in a few months, then overtake SEVERAL cars whilst over a double line and KILL someone, that does not suck, thats almost pre_meditated murder.
But of course this is the GREAT Billy Lane, hes too good to have to obey the rules others do, hes above the law isnt he? We will see… As for his bikes, I dont know what all his work was like, the tank he built that leaked petrol all over, was an example of crap workmanship, also stupidity to keep riding something for miles that was leaking fuel all over him and the hot engine.
Perhaps he is only guilty of being stupid then? no I think his problem is being criminally reckless, so put him in jail and throw away the key to protect everyone else.
Why did my comments before ellicit the response get a life? whats wrong with the one I have? At least I am not acting like someone else, as to lightening up… no, not when it comes to murder I wont.
I am sorry that Mr. Morelock is dead, and I am very sorry his family had to go through this. However has everyone forgotten??? Mr. Morelock was DRUNK ALSO. And Driving a moped??? and SPEEDING
Saw Gerry just before he went up the road and got killed by lane. He was not drunk!! And how the heck do you know he was speeding?