Update on the Hit-and-Run Death of Jeffrey Schultz

The fiancée of a Forest Park bicyclist, who was killed last summer in a hit-and-run crash while crossing Harlem Avenue, is fearful that the driver of the car that ran into her betrothed on the night of June 1, 2014 will not serve any jail time.

Bob Skolnik, Fiancee of Hit-and-Run Victim Fears Plea Deal, Forest Park Review, 3 March 2015

http://www.forestparkreview.com/News/Articles/3-3-2015/Fiancee-of-h...

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Permalink Reply by Rob Kowalczyk on April 21, 2015 at 3:00am

Exactly. Unbelievable. No justice at all.

Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on April 21, 2015 at 3:58am

Unbelievable. 

Permalink Reply by Rob Kowalczyk on April 21, 2015 at 3:35am

I found two other cases over which Judge Paula Daleo presided where drunk or distracted drivers were found not guilty. In one case, a pedestrian was severely injured. In the other case, a pedestrian was killed.

Bob Uphues, Woman not guilty in Riverside distracted driving case, Riverside Brookfield Landmark, 31 January 2012, http://www.rblandmark.com/News/Articles/1-31-2012/Woman-not-guilty-...

LeeAnn Shelton, Sheriff’s deputy acquitted of fatal Franklin Park crash, Voices (Chicago Sun Times), 25 August 2014, http://voices.suntimes.com/news/breaking-news/sheriffs-deputy-acqui...

I have no idea if this truly constitutes a pattern; I have no idea how many of these sorts of cases she's presided over, nor how she might have ruled. Still, I find these three cases and rulings sad and discouraging.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on April 21, 2015 at 6:43am

Good investigation.  It seems to me that this judge is unable to distinguish between a speeding ticket and a completely reckless act that leaves bodies scattered all over the roadway.  Maybe she thinks that only people driving cars are entitled be anywhere near roads.  Here's some info on the drunk sheriff's deputy case:

"Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Jamie T. O'Malley, 37, of Franklin Park faces aggravated DUI charges for a fatal accident that occurred early Sunday morning, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. After leaving a party, O'Malley struck and killed 41-year-old Marcial Marias-Quevedo at 1:43 a.m.

Police arrived to find an officer that smelled like alcohol, who stated "Oh God, I hope I didn't kill this guy." His truck was in the middle of the road, with front-end and hood damage.

He told his fellow officers that he has only had "two beers." He then reportedly failed multiple field sobriety tests before consenting to blood and urine tests. One and a half hours after the accident, his blood-alcohol content was 0.105 percent.

O'Malley is facing a Class 2 felony aggravated DUI charge. The punishment for such an offense could be anywhere from 3 to 14 years in prison. When he is released, he'll face two years of driver's license suspension. As for his former profession, it's unlikely that the Sheriff's Department would reemploy a convicted felon.

He might have a long-shot defense due to his not-extremely high BAC. If he had just left a party, and had just consumed large amounts of alcohol, he could try the rising BAC defense. Essentially, he'd be arguing that at the time of the accident, his BAC was below the legal limit. By the time they tested him, his BAC had risen more than the 0.25 difference between his measured amount and the legal limit of 0.08.

Then again, the failed field sobriety tests and his apparent intoxication at the time of the other officers' arrival provide evidence that could counter such a defense. His best bet seems to be hoping and praying for a favorable plea bargain."

I'd like to know how this judge managed to acquit on that one.  

  

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 21, 2015 at 3:56am
http://mobile.forestparkreview.com/News/Articles/4-20-2015/No-priso...


Jeffrey Schultz's fiancee, Rachel Decker, and Schultz's family are upset that Joel Mendoza was not sentenced to any time in prison by Judge Paula Daleo.

"No justice was rendered today," Decker said. What the judge has essentially told us is, that if you smash into someone with your car, don't stop. Don't try to help, don't call 911. Go home and call your lawyer, because you'll face negligible consequences in (Judge Paula Daleo's) courtroom."

Jeffrey Schultz's life mattered ! Cyclists lives do matter !
Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on April 21, 2015 at 6:44am

Damn straight.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 21, 2015 at 9:48am

Absolutely.

Permalink Reply by djm on April 21, 2015 at 10:25am

<sarcasm>

Walking or riding a bicycle is an indication that your socioeconomic status is such that you are contributing little to society.  The injury or death of a few pedestrians and cyclists is an inconsequential price to pay for the efficiency and convenience of the car-driving majority.

</sarcasm>

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 21, 2015 at 12:48pm
"May the Lord have mercy on the soul left on this earth,
to enjoy life unlike the life he ended." Gale Momenthy - from Facebook
Permalink Reply by Tommy Boy on April 23, 2015 at 11:49am
I think the punishment should be to have the criminal put on a bicycle and then hit with a car. This seems like the most appropriate punishment. Taxpayers should not be responsible for clothing, feeding and housing people who kill others whether intentionally or negligently. I believe in the death
penalty and in this case seems like the most appropriate punishment. If he does serve time I hope he gets repeatedly raped and tortured by inmates. Piece of shit deserves to rot in hell. The only way this mofo should be allowed to live is if he had stayed at the crime scene and taken responsibility. Trying to leave the scene is proof that this person has no conscious and should be exterminated, period.
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 23, 2015 at 3:34pm
Cyclist killer, Joel Mendoza, was NOT sentenced to ANY time in PRISON by Judge Paula Daleo.

His 'Punishment'

* 2 Years Probation
* Home Confinement for 180 days /with curfew ?
*150 Hours of Community Service
*Random Urine Tests
*DNA Cheek Swab Registration
*$819 Fine

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