mistrial bY : bILL bISH , ncom
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mistrial bY : bILL bISH , ncom
THE AIM / NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists ( A . I . M .) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists ( NCOM ), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M . Lester . If you ’ ve been involved in any kind of accident , call us at 1- ( 800 ) ON-A-BIKE or visit www . ON-A-BIKE . com .
HUNG JURY FORCES MISTRIAL IN FIRST WACO CASE
It ’ s been over two years since the bloody Twin Peaks melee in Waco , Texas , and the first trial of more than 150 of those arrested and charged has ended in a mistrial when the jury was hopelessly split on multiple counts .
Dallas Bandidos leader Jake Carrizal was charged with three criminal counts , including murder and racketeering , stemming from the May 17 , 2015 brawl and gunfight with rival Cossacks members during a meeting of the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents that left nine bikers dead and 18 seriously injured , most shot by responding police .
The prosecution had hoped a conviction in this first “ big test case ,” considered the state ’ s strongest , would serve as an indicator of how solid the government ’ s cases might be going forward , and could be used to generate plea deals amongst the remaining 153 bikers indicted , explained A . I . M . ( Aid to Injured Motorcyclists ) Attorney Bill Smith of Texas . Smith , who also serves as legal counsel for the Confederations of Clubs ( COC ) in Texas , gave a much-anticipated update to bikers from across the U . S . during a recent National Coalition of Motorcyclists ( NCOM ) Regional Meeting in Oklahoma City .
Carrizal faces life in prison if found guilty , but following more than a month of testimony in proceedings that cost the Waco community over $ 2 million to date , the three woman , nine man jury deliberated for just under 15 hours over two days before notifying Judge Matt Johnson they were irrevocably deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict .
Judge Johnson sent the jury home on Friday , November 10 , and declared a mistrial . The State has reportedly announced they will retry the case , but at this point it is unclear if the case will be retried on the same or amended charges , or how it will affect others under indictment .
“ Just by attending a regularly scheduled monthly meeting , many of these bikers lost their jobs , lost their motorcycles , lost homes , or lost custody of
a child because of their arrest for engaging in criminal activity ,” said Attorney Smith , “ spending days , weeks or months in jail under million dollar bail bonds .”
In early 2016 , several of the bikers filed a civil rights lawsuit against the District Attorney , the Chief of Police and other Waco officials , and “ if acquitted , they can succeed in civil action .”
NCOM MEETING REPORT FROM OKC
“ Many thanks to all that attended the NCOM Board of Directors meeting and NCOM Region 2 Conference this past weekend in Oklahoma City , and to all OK COC ( Confederation of Clubs ) Member Groups that worked so hard to ensure its success ,” wrote NCOM board member Tiger Mike Revere , Liaison for the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs , in his recent OKCOC Liaison Report .
“ Lots of valuable information was shared that will ultimately help improve our Motorcycling Quality of Life ,” Tiger Mike continues … “ The seminar dealing with RICO and Biker Judicial Rights , the Texas AIM / NCOM Attorney update on the Waco Situation , and the presentation addressing profiling and police harassment of Motorcyclists were educational . The Regional Motorcyclist Rights Forum and Multi-State COC Symposium afforded Rights Activists and Club Members from all over the Nation the opportunity to share informational updates and legislative strategy for the future . The Regional Christian Unity Meeting featured Spiritual riding groups from many states sharing their faith and community outreach experiences .”
Revere goes on to say that , “ The NCOM Board of Directors continues to be impressed with the degree of enthusiasm and involvement Region 2 Members demonstrate for being educated on critical issues . Particular recognition goes to those that staffed the Hospitality Room , handled logistics for the hotel and transportation , and to the vendors that took part . The Saturday Night Camaraderie Party and Dinner was a Blast ! Thanks to our OKCOC Lawyers for providing the food . It was great to see how many riders showed up for Sunday ’ s OKCOC Meeting as well--the Biltmore Hotel ’ s Ballroom was packed with well over 400 Riders !”
He concludes with ; “ I deeply appreciate your passion and commitment to defending Biker Liberty , in Oklahoma and Nationwide . Be sure to put the 33rd Annual National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention on your Calendar . It ’ s scheduled for May 8-13 , 2018 in Mobile , AL at the Riverview Plaza Renaissance Hotel , and it ’ s going to be a great one ! The Region 2 Conference was also a Veterans ’ Day celebration , and 150 bikes rode to the Oklahoma State Capitol on November 11 to take part in the ceremonies . Thanks very much , attendees , for honoring our Armed Forces !”
BIKERS ASSIST DISASTER VICTIMS
U . S . Defenders and the Facilitators at Camp Ironhorse have been deeply involved not only in assisting Hurricane Harvey Disaster relief efforts in Texas , but also in traveling to Puerto Rico for disaster relief aid following Hurricane Maria . “ Texas Defenders and Camp Ironhorse volunteers alternate every other week delivering supplies and support equipment ,” reports NCOM board member Tiger Mike Revere , Liaison for the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs . “ Multiple agencies in our area have donated to support efforts which benefit our fellow Americans victimized by the storms and enhance a Positive Biker Image .” A critical need continues , so anyone interested in providing any support or donations , assisting in Relief Efforts , or desiring more information can contact Monte “ Stick ” Keiner at : wizzardproduction @ yahoo . com .
NCOM Christian Unity also continues to be very responsive in meeting Disaster Victims ’ needs , as updated at the recent Region 2 Conference in Oklahoma . “ They are working with an effort led by Central Harley- Davidson out of Austin TX ,” reports Revere , “ and the assistance they provided is much appreciated by our awesome Motorcycling Community .” For more information or to contribute , contact Louie Nobs , NCOM Christian Unity Liaison , at ncom . christianunity @ gmail . com
ḂIKING PASTOR SHEPHERDS TEXAS CHURCH , SITE OF MASSACRE
Pastor Frank Pomeroy oversees the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs , Texas , where a crazed gunman opened fire on Sunday , November 5th and slaughtered 26 people , one unborn , and injured 20 others inside the church . “ Rev . Pomeroy , a motorcycle enthusiast , also runs a ministry for bikers ,” and the following information was submitted to NCOM Biker Newsbytes by Becky Cakes , recipient of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists ’ 2013 NCOM Silver Spoke Award for Media .
The First Baptist Church has a YouTube Channel where it posts videos of worship services and events , and in the last sermon posted online , Rev . Pomeroy -- the church ’ s motorcycle-riding pastor -- used the imagery of a Harley-Davidson to illustrate his theme for the service , entitled “ You Don ’ t Need Training Wheels , You Need Christ !”
Ms . Cakes continues her post ; “ The pastor brought his bike into church last Sunday , set it in front of the altar and used it as a metaphor . It was safer , he said , to lean into turns on the bike , even though it felt less safe , a lesson he was trying to teach his daughter Annabelle Pomeroy , 14 , on the ride there that morning , when it was only 34 degrees .
“ We had a beautiful ride ,” he said . “ She was back there cuddled behind me , and when I pointed at the temperature gauge , I felt her snuggle in even tighter .” Annabelle was shot and killed on Sunday . Mr . Pomeroy and his wife , Sherri , were out of the state . …” ( Excerpted from The Wall Street Journal , www . wsj . com ).
30 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana / Mississippi | December 2017 | www . thunderroadslams . com