Brevard County, MO
Celebrity motorcycle builder Billy Lane took a plea deal in Brevard County Tuesday morning that could land him in prison for nine years.Lane is accused of killing a 56-year-old Brevard County man in a head-on crash on A-1-A on Labor Day in 2006. Police said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
Billy Lane’s lawyer is hoping to keep him out of prison with the plea deal. Prosecutors dropped the DUI charge in exchange for the no contest plea to vehicular homicide.
“How do you plea, sir?” asked a judge.
“No contest. Your honor,” replied Lane.
The plea agreement could keep the famed motorcycle builder off the streets.
Under the plea deal, prosecutors dropped the DUI manslaughter charge and agreed to cap the potential prison sentence at a little more than 9 years.
“You wish to waive these rights and accept this plea?” asked the judge.
“Yes, your honor,” answered Lane.
Lane was accused of driving drunk down highway A-1A and crossing over a double yellow line to pass three cars then crashing head-on into 56-year-old Gerald Morelock.
Morelock, who was on his motorcycle, was no match for Lane’s Dodge pick-up. The Sebastian Inlet Park Ranger was killed.
Investigators say Lane’s blood-alcohol was over twice the legal limit, but his defense attorney was preparing to fight that if the case went to trial.
“We believe the blood sample as mishandled and the blood testing done in this case was not scientifically reliable,” said Defense Attorney Greg Eisenmenger.
Prosecutors disagreed, but said Lane faced 15 years in prison whether they pursued the DUI charge or vehicular homicide. With the plea deal they are assured a conviction, a possible prison sentence, alcohol provisions and driving restrictions.
“I think it’s a substantial punishment, yes,” said prosecutor Thom Brown.
Lane’s attorney said despite the plea deal, he is going to ask the judge not to send him to prison but give him house arrest or probation at his sentencing August 14.
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