Lawyers urge judge to toss evidence in Bruce Duncan manslaughter-DUI case (with update 8-16-2011)

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-03-02/news/os-lk-bruce-duncan-case-20110302_1_herbert-steve ^ | March 2, 2011 | Stephen Hudak

[longtermmemmory]

TAVARES — Lawyers for civic leader Bruce Duncan may learn today if they persuaded a judge to toss out evidence that strongly suggests Duncan was drunk when authorities say he caused a fatal accident.

Circuit Judge Michael Takac listened to two hours of argument and testimony Friday from five witnesses, including Duncan, 47, who has pleaded not guilty to DUI/manslaughter in the death of retired postal worker Herbert "Steve" Muller, 61, of Mount Dora.

--snip--

Muller was known for his white beard and a collection of one-liners at the Mount Dora post office. Duncan recently participated in an economic-development workshop hosted by county commissioners and appealed to Lake's legislative delegation to find money for a turnpike exchange in Minneola.

[longtermmemmory]

The judge rejected the deviation from the sentencing guidelines but here is the new twist.

A group of 20 politicians and judges are going to speak on behalf of the victim in order to get him off. This is going to happen September 19, 2011. The Defendant is going to plea open via a "no contest" plea.

[Florida State Representative H. Marlene O'Toole (R-Lady Lake), Circuit Judges G. Richard Singeltary and T. Michael Johnson, President of Lake-Sumter Community College Dr. Charles Mojock, Tavares City Administrator John Drury, Executive Director of Lake EMS Jim Judge and others]

The defendant plays games with florida's implied consent law which is printed on every DL. (did I mention the found an open bottle of vodka and beer when the car was towed)

I am very surprised that these politicians are sticking their necks out for this.

[DeaconRed]

"I am very surprised that these politicians are sticking their necks out for this."

I'm not surprised at all. $$$$
99% of all politicians are corrupt. They will eat dog do do for enough money.

[DJ MacWoW]

47 Days And FR Is Still Short Of Its Goal
Take FR Across The Finish Line

Click The Pic To Donate

[longtermmemmory]

judges in fl are re-elected ever six years. This just torpedoes thier impartiality for anyone being sentenced before them.

[hadit2here]

OK, so if he wasn’t drunk (wink, wink), then he wasn’t “impaired” and should be charged with voluntary manslaughter or vehicular homicide.

But hey, he’s got political connections and is above the law, so let him go on his way and not suffer any consequences that us peons would be subject to in the same circumstances.

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can sure get you out of jams like manslaughter than without it. Especially when it’s spread around to all the local pols to grease the wheels of “good government”.

[longtermmemmory]

to have judges speaking on behalf of this killer is very shocking.

So anyone else appearing in front of any of these judges just had confirmation that the florida judiciary CONDONES favortism based on who you know.

Makes you wonder what exactly he is leading.

[longtermmemmory]

Duncan, president of Family Dynamics Inc., which is an agricultural and development company in Leesburg, was driving home from a Florida Gators football game on Oct. 17, 2009, when he turned his pickup into the path of a motorcycle, killing its rider, Herbert “Steve” Muller, 61, a retired postal worker from Mount Dora. Muller was returning from a day ride to Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach. The crash occurred near Duncan’s home in Sorrento.

Duncan, whose great-grandfather, Henry Holcomb Duncan, was a lawmaker credited with the legislation that carved Lake County from land in Orange and Sumter counties, is free on bond.

end snipet-

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-lk-bruce-duncan-witnesses-20110807,0,1977711.story