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Posted: 12:49 AM Jan 18, 2008
Three DUI's and a Murder Charge
A man with three DUI's is now facing murder charges. Reporter: Randy YoheEmail Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com |
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Should a man facing his third DUI charge get his license back? The answers a grieving family aches for many not be what they want to hear.
Before going to court, Mary Church and her sons placed a memorial cross at the intersection where husband and father Ronnie Church took his last breath. “He was a well liked, hard working man who loved his family,” Church said.
In the packed courtroom, a judge must decide if a capital murder charge against Billy Dwayne Reed should go to a grand jury. Police say the 31 year old was under the influence on January 7, when his pickup truck recklessly hit Ronnie Church’s motorcycle.
The 43 year old coal truck driver died after the collision.
Police officer Jason Merlo was on the scene that day. “He smelled of alcohol, was staggering, speech slurred,” Merlo said.
The judge did send the DUI murder case to the grand jury. But what was not mentioned today was this is Billy Reed’s third DUI charge in less than a year.
“The system failed us. A man did not have to die,” Church said.
Court records show Reed was awaiting trial on a DUI when he got his second DUI, but without prior conviction, the penalties do not increase.
A judge suspended Reed’s license for 12 days, the maximum allowed on a first offense DUI. Records show a few days later he was charged with the murder of Ronnie Church.
Reed’s attorney says he will show his client did not cause Church’s death. Reed remains jailed without bond.
Latest Comments
I FEEL FOR THE FAMILY. MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED 8/10/08 BY A DENTIST WITH 5 DUI'S AND BEING CHARGED WITH MISDAMEANOR??? HOW MANY CHANCES DO PEOPLE GET? OUR LOVED ONES ARE DEAD AND DON'T GET CHANCE AFTER CHANCE. OUR LAWS NEED TO BE CHANGED. THESE REPEAT OFFENDERS NEED TO BE STOPPED BEFORE THEY KILL MORE PEOPLE. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF OUR LOST LOVED ONES. WE WILL FIGHT TO MAKE A CHANGE. YOU MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE TO DRINK AND DRIVE. STAY HOME AND DRINK OR TAKE A CAB! KELLEY BONDY CHICAGO
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eastern kentuckians please in the next judges election when you walk up to that voting booth remember ronnie church.
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i think doctors should also be held lialble for the actions of over prescribing meds also a dr in ky killed my mom by overprescribing too much meds mixed. and this man will get out aand do it again because the law in ky sucks i used to be a deputy and got jump on too to jumping onto reckless drivers. it is all a polieticial issue. judges, lawyers, and sheriff is afraid of family getting mad at them and losing votes and giving them slaps on the wrist. billy knew he was under the influence and the outcome that could happen. pike co needs to straighten up and not worry who gets mad at them and let the deputies and ksp volunteer or not do there job and stop this before it happens again. i was hit by a drug head and it got as my fault and now i suffer with back problems and they didnt have insurance. my belief i have feelings for billys kids but i see it this way if the churches had to lose a dad husband over a 3rd dui. then his family should suffer also. god will punish him in the end.
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