| 06/25/2007 - Patty Walker, wife of Wayne Walker, former VA member killed as he rode on Colima Rd., reports the El Monte Deputy D.A. has filed a charge against the driver of vehicular manslaughter as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. This would result in, at most, a one year sentence and the potential for substantially less. Patty asks for your help to contact El Monte District Attorney's office to let them hear your point of view.
From: Patricia Walker <[edit-address removed]>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:21:59 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: RE Wayne Walker former Velo Allegro member
Tuesday June 19, 2007
Dear Family and Friends:
Deputy District Attorney Kaveh Faturechi of the El Monte D.A.'s office contacted me this morning for the first time regarding the case against Michael Reynaga, the driver of the car who swerved into Wayne and killed him on January 5. He has filed a vehicular manslaughter charge as a misdemeanor. If it goes to trial and Reynaga is convicted, then at most he would serve one year in county jail. Any plea bargain would be substantially less. If he received the maximum, he could be out in less than a year for good behavior and the misdemeanor charge would be off his record in seven years.
According to the police report, Michael Reynaga told the CHP officers that he was aware of the bicyclist on the road, and he still chose to take his eye off the road as he fumbled around for his cell phone. As far as I am concerned, no matter what happens to Reynaga there will be no true justice.
My brother Stephen and I are going to see the D.A. next week to see if he can or will re-file this case as a felony. This may seem harsh or maybe not harsh enough, but I would like to see Reynaga serve at least one full year in jail. If he is charged with a felony, the D.A. could then offer a plea bargain of a misdemeanor with a minimum of 1 year in jail. When Reynaga gets out, he will still be less than 30 years old, have only a misdemeanor charge on his record and a full life ahead of him. He should be grateful for that.
The next scheduled hearing is July 10 in the El Monte Court. It frightens me that a plea bargain could possibly take place and Reynaga walk away basically scott-free.
If you feel as I do, please write, phone and/or e-mail the El Monte District Attorney's office and let them hear your point of view.
Thanks in advance,
Patty Walker (Wayne's wife) |
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