Update: Two pedestrians killed by white Porsche

[Normy]

Incredible!

This guy is a swine. I can smell him all the way across town. Don't try telling me anything like "well you know there still isn't any proof that he was driving" and some such nonsense. He did it, and you'd have a hard time convincing me otherwise. It is people like this who give Porsche owners a bad name.

From today's Ft.Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel: (www.sun-sentinel.com)


FORT LAUDERDALE - The man who owns the Porsche that authorities believe mowed down two pedestrians as it raced along State Road A1A said Wednesday he wasn't behind the wheel that night.

"I was not driving," Ryan LeVin told the Sun Sentinel.

He declined to comment further, referring all questions to attorney Keith Seltzer. Seltzer said he had no comment, declining to say even whether he's representing LeVin, who comes from a wealthy Chicago-area family.

Fort Lauderdale police have not named LeVin, 34, or anyone else as a suspect in the Feb. 13 hit-and-run accident that killed Craig Elford, 39, and Kenneth Watkinson, 48, as the visiting Britons were walking to their Fort Lauderdale beachfront hotel.

Witnesses called 911 minutes before the two businessmen were fatally struck to report a Porsche appeared to be racing another light-colored sports car along Seabreeze Boulevard.

The Porsche jumped the curb, striking the men from behind within 50 yards of the Courtyard Marriott hotel, police said.

LeVin's damaged Porsche 911 Turbo was found abandoned less than an hour later on the northbound ramp of Interstate 595 to Interstate 95.

Fort Lauderdale police refused to say who owned the Porsche in the days after the crash. But they issued a news release Wednesday, saying the car was registered to LeVin. The release came about two hours after the Sun Sentinel contacted LeVin on his cell phone.

Cook County, Ill., court records show that LeVin was sentenced to 30 months' probation in November 2007 after leading Chicago police on a high-speed chase in a blue Porsche, a 2001 Targa. Police estimated he reached 100 mph during the July 31, 2006 chase, and he struck several vehicles and injured a police officer and two motorists, according to police reports.

After the Chicago chase, police found cocaine in LeVin's car, according to court records. He initially was charged with seven felonies and ultimately pleaded guilty to one — aggravated fleeing.

The plea deal required LeVin to enter a substance-abuse treatment program, court documents show.

As part of his probation, he was allowed to travel to Florida to care for his parents' properties, according to court records. His parents own two units in a Fort Lauderdale beachfront high-rise condominium.

Court documents from Illinois show that as of 2007, LeVin was vice president for national sales for a company his parents founded, Jewels by Park Lane. The business is described on its Web site as "the world's leading direct sales jewelry party plan company."

Michael Norris, the attorney who handled LeVin's case in Illinois, declined to comment.

According to state records, LeVin's Florida driver's license expired in 2007. He had held a driver's license in Illinois, but that is no longer valid, officials at the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles said Wednesday. It was unclear Wednesday whether Levin holds a driver's license from another state.

The bodies of Elford and Watkinson were still at the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office as of Wednesday. Their families are making funeral arrangements, office staff said.

The two Britons were directors of Ingala Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company in Banbury, a town a few hours northwest of London. They left England on Feb. 11 for a six-day trip, Diana Minshaw, a co-worker, said by telephone. Elford and Watkinson were in Florida hoping to hire employees, she said.

"They traveled, but not as far as America before," Minshaw said. "They were confident that they would find somebody."

Watkinson is survived by his wife, their 3-year-old son and two teenage children from a previous relationship, Minshaw said. Elford was married with two young daughters.

Minshaw said she saw Elford's wife, Claire, on Tuesday.

"She hasn't really come to terms with it. We don't know what to say to her," Minshaw said.


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[m21sniper]

Wow, 30 months probie for a high speed chase and hitting cops? That's a good lawyer!

[Mo_Gearhead]

It's interesting that in most states, if a 'red light camera' takes your car's license plate photo, you are ASSUMED to be the driver and without any more proof, you are ASSUMED guilty and must pay the fine.

I say we 'assume' the owner was the driver on this occasion.

...or his wife?
...or his mistress?
...or his son?
...daughter?
...a friend?

You could be a police consultant in this case, Norm.
Don't you read peoples minds?

[Whtnkls911]

What a d@#chbag, fry his ass. This is the kind of bull$hit, where because of money he got away with it in Chicago only to commit a more serious crime in Florida where he killed two innocent people. I truly feel for the families who lost there loved ones and only hope this guy gets what coming to him, jai time and civil case that leaves him penniless.

[Normy]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Wow, 30 months probie for a high speed chase and hitting cops? That's a good lawyer!

Mr. Sniper, it is amazing what you can accomplish with a fat wallet and good lawyers. Just look at what Michael Jackson has accomplished~





N!

[Normy]

Originally Posted by Whtnkls911

What a d@#chbag, fry his ass. This is the kind of bull$hit, where because of money he got away with it in Chicago only to commit a more serious crime in Florida where he killed two innocent people. I truly feel for the families who lost there loved ones and only hope this guy gets what coming to him, jai time and civil case that leaves him penniless.

I totally agree.

N!

[DARISC]

The guy's a proven dick.
Now all that has to be done is prove he was the driver.
That's the way it works here in America.

[Normy]

Originally Posted by DARISC

The guy's a proven dick.
Now all that has to be done is prove he was the driver.
That's the way it works here in America.

Florida, Louisiana, New York City, and Chicago are probably the four most corrupt places in the United States.

-The Fort Lauderdale police department is basically the "Keystone Cops". They are utterly worthless, spend all their time in Dunkin Donuts, and they are CORRUPT. The Sun-Sentinel has been hounding them about the fact that they refuse to release any information for two days. Why? I can't see a good reason why-! They should have released the name of Mr. Wine [hello? "LaVin" is a French name that means "The Wine"] right away; that guy was down at Hooters on the beach and got plowed out of his mind on beer and then went out and got in a race with a white corvette or a Boxster or something else, and couldn't take the gentle, 20 degree curve to the left where A1A comes from one-way to two lanes.

Get this: The ONLY REASON that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department released the name of this guy is because the Sun-Sentinel newspaper managed to find out the license plate number of the car and were able through online resources to FIND HIS NAME. They called him a couple of hours before the FLPD made their statement, and he basically told them that he didn't know who was driving the car, and refered them to an attorney that may or may not be representing him.

HELLO? ANYONE HOME?

This wealthy individual? He's trying to hide from this one. His parents are paying everyone that they can in order to keep their precious child out of Raiford state prison where he belongs [and where he will be "violated" and thus lose his anal virginity~], and since the Fort Lauderdale Police Department takes $20's, $50's, and $100's....there is a chance that "golden boy" might keep his freedom.

BULLSCHEIZE!

I'll keep y'all informed-

N!

[kstar]

Originally Posted by DARISC

The guy's a proven dick.
Now all that has to be done is prove he was the driver.
That's the way it works here in America.

Yes, that would be appropriate.

What a novel concept, yes?

[GG Allin]

Holy ***** I used to know that guy's brother (Art). The family has a thing for exotic cars. I was at their house once a long long time ago, late 80's? They had a Rolls Royce Conv't in the driveway and in the garage was a Lamborghini Countach and an Aston Martin Lagonda.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Normy

Florida, Louisiana, New York City, and Chicago are probably the four most corrupt places in the United States.

-The Fort Lauderdale police department is basically the "Keystone Cops". They are utterly worthless, spend all their time in Dunkin Donuts, and they are CORRUPT. The Sun-Sentinel has been hounding them about the fact that they refuse to release any information for two days. Why? I can't see a good reason why-! They should have released the name of Mr. Wine [hello? "LaVin" is a French name that means "The Wine"] right away; that guy was down at Hooters on the beach and got plowed out of his mind on beer and then went out and got in a race with a white corvette or a Boxster or something else, and couldn't take the gentle, 20 degree curve to the left where A1A comes from one-way to two lanes.

Get this: The ONLY REASON that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department released the name of this guy is because the Sun-Sentinel newspaper managed to find out the license plate number of the car and were able through online resources to FIND HIS NAME. They called him a couple of hours before the FLPD made their statement, and he basically told them that he didn't know who was driving the car, and refered them to an attorney that may or may not be representing him.

HELLO? ANYONE HOME?

This wealthy individual? He's trying to hide from this one. His parents are paying everyone that they can in order to keep their precious child out of Raiford state prison where he belongs [and where he will be "violated" and thus lose his anal virginity~], and since the Fort Lauderdale Police Department takes $20's, $50's, and $100's....there is a chance that "golden boy" might keep his freedom.

BULLSCHEIZE!

I'll keep y'all informed-

N!

So what's your point (other than the one you hide under your hat)?

[stuartj]

Who needs due process. Its over rated.

[bonkers]

Originally Posted by DARISC

The guy's a proven dick.
Now all that has to be done is prove he was the driver.
That's the way it works here in America.

I would say the burdon of proof here lies in no small part with the accused:

- If it was stolen, one would expect to find a police report on file. It is a rather expensive car after all.

- If he gave the keys to someone who then drove, he has a moral, if not legal responsibility to name that person and, if he knew that person was impared, he shares part of the blame.

- If it was not reported stolen and he cannot or will not name the driver, then I'm afraid his story looks thinner than Britney Spears' underwear.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by bonkers

I would say the burdon of proof here lies in no small part with the accused:

- If it was stolen, one would expect to find a police report on file. It is a rather expensive car after all.

- If he gave the keys to someone who then drove, he has a moral, if not legal responsibility to name that person and, if he knew that person was impared, he shares part of the blame.

- If it was not reported stolen and he cannot or will not name the driver, then I'm afraid his story looks thinner than Britney Spears' underwear.

Burdon? Eric of The Animals?

If you're called for jury duty I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. You'll be excused.

What you "would say" has no bearing on the matter. The burden of proof is always on the accuser.

Oh, and one is innocent until proven guilty.

That's the way it works here in America.

Are you a tourist visiting from another country? Or are you a US citizen who is simply woefully ignorant of the laws and mores of your own country?

[bonkers]

Originally Posted by DARISC

Burdon? Eric of The Animals?

If you're called for jury duty I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. You'll be excused.

What you "would say" has no bearing on the matter. The burden of proof is always on the accuser.

Oh, and one is innocent until proven guilty.

That's the way it works here in America.

Are you a tourist visiting from another country? Or are you a US citizen who is simply woefully ignorant of the laws and mores of your own country?

I am simply an individual expressing his personal opinion on an Internet bulletin board, just as you are.

The last time I checked, freedom to express one's opinions was considered one of this country's greater virtues, not to mention a founding principle.

My nationality is of no consequence, save to bandy petty insults.

[Hugh R]

DARISC

Your joking I hope. What a mean, old, sulky, guy you are. I'm a Viet Nam vet too but man you're a codgy old fu(k. 30 months probie for evading cops and hitting cars, he should have been on a Cool Hand Luke chain gang. Yeah, sure he's innocent. Innocent until proven guilty yes, but if he's proven guilty I say fry his ass.

Last week I was driving on the I-5 between the 118 and the 210 and two douche bags in a BMW and a Mitsubishi came racing up behind me. They drove in the breakdown lanes on both sides of the freeway and the bimmer actually went sideways and smoked the tires, I honestly thought he was going to roll the thing, but he recovered, no credit to him, just luck and they took off. They should be picking up trash on the freeway for the next five years.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

DARISC

Your joking I hope. What a mean, old, sulky, guy you are. I'm a Viet Nam vet too but man you're a codgy old fu(k.

HAHAHA! You REALLY don't know me Hugh!

30 months probie for evading cops and hitting cars, he should have been on a Cool Hand Luke chain gang. Yeah, sure he's innocent. Innocent until proven guilty yes, but if he's proven guilty I say fry his ass.

I could NOT agree with you more! And make it a slooow fry (I have conflicting emotions when it comes to the topic of "cruel and unusual punishment").

Last week I was driving on the I-5 between the 118 and the 210 and two douche bags in a BMW and a Mitsubishi came racing up behind me. They drove in the breakdown lanes on both sides of the freeway and the bimmer actually went sideways and smoked the tires, I honestly thought he was going to roll the thing, but he recovered, no credit to him, just luck and they took off. They should be picking up trash on the freeway for the next five years.

Oh, I know, man. Anecdotal tales abound (I've got a huge FKG batch of them I could tell as well). My point is, as maddening as it can sometimes be, we Americans have the duty, no matter how our emotions may boil up, to uphold the, probably most basic and important tenet of our legal system, which is "due process". If we don't, we're no better than a whole shtload of other countries - and you and I know that that ain't the case, eh?

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