November 2, 2009 4:49 pm
Justice!
Posted by Will under biking, crime
[4] Comments
It’s been 16 months since the infamous Mandeville Canyon incident involving an emergency room doctor slamming the brakes of his vehicle in front of two cyclists, resulting in injuries to them both. The victims maintained it was an intentional act. The evidence seemed to bear this out as well. The doctor maintained it was an accident.
Though the defendant’s attorney, Peter Swarth, had boasted to the press of expecting the case’s dismissal several months ago following a procedural hearing, indeed it wasn’t dismissed and instead went to trial more than two weeks ago. Closing arguments were heard last week and it was given to the jury on Friday. They continued deliberating today and returned a verdict this afternoon: GUILTY!
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A driver has been convicted of felony assault with a deadly weapon for swerving his car in front of two cyclists on a Brentwood road, causing them to crash into the back of his car.
Christopher Thompson of Los Angeles, a 60-year-old emergency room physician, was also convicted Monday of battery causing serious injury, reckless driving and mayhem for the July 2008 incident.
Police say Thompson argued with the bikers on a narrow road before he slammed on the brakes in his red Infinity sedan.
One of the bicyclists dislocated his shoulder. The other broke his teeth and still has scars on his face.
Thompson was immediately remanded into custody because the judge felt he was a flight risk.
He faces 10 years in state prison.
You won’t find me dancing on the ruins of Dr. Thompson’s life — especially since there will no doubt be the inevitable appeals made. But you will find me satisfied and relieved that justice was served.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
He can appeal if he likes. However, I understand the judge has denied bail, which I suppose means he will be sitting in a cell while his appeal moves forward, no?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
That sounds about right, Brian. Either way he’s locked up.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 am
Kudos to the other bicyclists who reported that the “good” doctor has done this type of anti-bike activity before. They had to wait long hours in order to report this mad man.
If there were no previous reports of this reckless doctor, I doubt we would have seen a guilty judgment like the one we see now.
January 8th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I agree with that sentiment. Unfortunately, they didn’t take the first incident seriously enough. They had to wait until people got hurt in July 2008 incident to act.