I also want to pass along an important piece of news that you might not have gotten if you're not on my Bikers E-Mail List:  the killer of David Jaggers was sentenced to the maximum allowable for his crime of Vehicular Homicide.  He'll spend one year in the Oklahoma County Jail, pay a thousand dollar fine, and pay an additional fee of five hundred dollars to a Victims Restitution Fund.  For those not aware, David Jaggers' killer had his charge bumped up to felony Vehicular Manslaughter when he tested positive for cocaine, but it was reduced to misdemeanor vehicular homicide because it could not be proven that there was enough drugs in his system to determine that they were impairing his driving (the killer was doing 90MPH in a 60MPH zone, and weaving through traffic on I-44--he clipped Jaggers' rear-end while changing lanes, sending him out of control and killing him).  Oklahoma State Law does not have a felony drug threshold for these decisions, unlike some other states which have, or some states which classify ALL drug possession or drug-related influence as felonies.  That'll probably get you shaking your head, and so will this: in the courtroom, the defense attempted to get all Bikers expelled from the courtroom (there were around 12-14 in attendance, which was pretty good, considering David's friends, including his widow, were informed at the very last-minute that sentencing was scheduled).  I guess that was part of providing a vigorous defense.  To his credit, the judge refused, citing that the bikers were well-behaved and their dress wasn't violating any laws or procedures.  This should really get your blood boiling--the killer's defense tried to state that David Jaggers contributed to his OWN death by not wearing a Helmet!  That could've caused a commotion in the courtroom, but the judge quashed that defense attempt immediately, stating that David was observing all laws while riding his bike, and that Oklahoma Law allowed him, as an adult rider, to exercise his Freedom of Choice to not wear a helmet. Throughout the sentencing phase, the killer expressed absolutely NO remorse, even during the Victims Impact Statements.  David's killer remains out on Appellate Bond while appealing his sentence, but when he goes to jail, he'll have to serve at least 85% under Oklahoma's Truth-In-Sentencing Law.  So, a sad chapter comes to an end--a tragic chapter drawn out to almost three years since David Jaggers was killed thanks to legal wrangling, delays and continuances.  David's killer is not an American Citizen (he's a legal alien here on a work visa), and remains a flight risk.  We're all aware that the Justice System needs a LOT of work, but at least some good came about this year as a result of David's death, with the passage of SB1929, Jaggers' Law, to increase penalties of irresponsible drivers who hurt and kill those they share the Road with.  We're still waiting for the formal signing ceremony with Governor Henry to take place, and I'll let you know when that happens.

 

  Michigan's a really nice state to ride in, as I've discovered a couple of times after heading up to Milwaukee, but you'll need to keep carrying a skid-lid with you, since their Governor vetoed the Helmet Law Repeal bill which passed both Houses by a better than two-to-one margin.  ABATE members up there believe that she used the "Big Ben" motorcycle wreck as an excuse to go ahead with her veto, although she'd indicated her veto intent long before.  She used the veto as an opportunity to characterize motorcyclists as a Public Burden, with their medical bills being paid by the taxpayers.  That portrayal is a flat-out lie, and she is well on her way to losing her job this coming November, since her challenger is way ahead in the polls, and Motorcycling Rights activists have thrown their support and political funding behind the opposition.  Personally, I'd consider the Governor's defeat as Poetic Justice.  Remember, if you're planning on heading through Nebraska on your way to Sturgis, SD for the 66th Annual Bike Rally, you should be aware of the information that various police agencies in Nebraska are now confiscating helmets they do not like.  Any helmet that has been worn long enough to wear off the manufacturer's label INSIDE the helmet is deemed by the police to have been "illegally modified" and they confiscate the helmet.  It's mainly happening in Omaha and Kearney, but Law Enforcement is identifying these riders at "safety checkpoints" where everyone is stopped.  If a helmet does not have the DOT sticker BOTH on the back and the patch inside - the cops are taking the helmet as evidence, writing you a ticket, and you can't leave unless someone brings you a DOT helmet or your bike gets put on a truck/trailer. If you sit there too long, the cops "can" tow your bike.  Everyone victimized by this outrage should write to the Nebraska Governor and Legislature to let them know they ride around Nebraska on the way to Sturgis because of the restrictive helmet law giving Iowa and Colorado ALL OF their tourism dollars...which is a LOT.  If you would also like to express an opinion about this to the state tourism board, their address is: tourism@visitnebraska.org  Hope this information helps you as you get ready to attend the annual Gathering Of The Tribes--don't forget that knowledge of the area conditions and laws, as well as what your rights are, will directly contribute to your enjoyable and safe trip.  On the Careless Driving front, Missouri's Governor signed "Clutch's Law" last month, making Missouri the sixteenth state to establish additional penalties for motorists that drive negligently and hurt and kill people while sharing the Road.  Missouri's repeated attempts at this gave inspiration to Oklahoma's getting Jaggers' Law passed--congratulations to the Show-Me State!  Since we're mentioning this, it might not be a bad idea to pursue legislation prohibiting use of hand-held cell phones while driving as "Jeffery Smith's Law", in honor of our NW #69 Chapter Vice President who was killed last year as the result of an inattentive driver using a cell phone--let me know what you think.

 

  Okay, it's time for me to wrap this up and dash between air conditioners!  In closing, I want to make mention of  some of our special Riding Community members.  Danny and Rita, of the Christian Motorcyclists Association and Tulsa ABATE, dumped their bike and fortunately, they weren't seriously injured.  Tommy Harold, past President of Tulsa ABATE, suffered a stroke and was in Tulsa's St. Francis Hospital, but he's resting at home now.  Additionally, let's not forget Perry and Jan Brown as they recuperate from their injuries.  I also want to mention Ralph Branham's bike wreck from mid-July.  For those that don't know Ralph, he works the parts desk at Bryan Harley-Davidson in Moore, OK.  Ralph's a Vietnam Veteran and an avid motorcyclist who has regularly attended our ABATE motorcycle parades to the State Capitol on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day.  He's also a Brother of the Road who always has been ready to help others having trouble with their bikes--I know, because he's assisted me in the past.  Ralph was wrecked in Yukon, OK by an inattentive pickup truck driver who was talking on a cell phone and blew through a red light, hitting him and narrowly missing other riders with him, including his wife Donna.  Ralph suffered severe leg injuries, and will be out of work for around a year.  Once again, a member of our Motorcycling Community has been victimized by a careless motorist, which is why we've worked so hard to get Jaggers' Law passed.  Please remember Ralph and his family in your thoughts and prayers, and all of our Riding Family that are hurting.  Tiger's Tip O' The Month:  With all the successive hot, dry days, nobody thinks much about rain in Oklahoma, but the infrequent rainy days we experience are very dangerous in that all the accumulated oil and grease rises to the top and the roads become very slippery, especially at intersections.  Stay away from the middle of the roadway (ride in the left or right tire track), especially within fifteen minutes after the rain starts, and watch your footing when stopped at an intersection.  Be sure to use footwear with oil-resistant, gripping soles.  Also, watch out for expanding cracks in asphalt and concrete roads caused by the heat--some of them around Oklahoma City and Tulsa are wide enough to swallow a front wheel!  Take it easy, Ride Free, Safely and Sober, and I'll check in with you again soon!