LA Doctor convicted in attack on Cyclists

Chuck · #1 11-04-2009, 11:11 AM

Jack Leonard - LATIMES - Nov 2, 2009

Update of this earlier story

A physician accused of deliberately injuring two cyclists by slamming on his car’s brakes on a narrow Brentwood road last year was convicted Monday of assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem and other serious criminal charges.

The three-week trial of Dr. Christopher Thompson drew close attention from cyclists, many of whom viewed the case as a test of the justice system’s commitment to protecting cyclists.

Thompson, wearing a dark blue suit, bowed his head as the verdicts were read. He faces a possible prison term.... [Read More]

Chuck · #2 11-04-2009, 11:41 AM

It's not likely he will practice medicine anytime soon.

PaleMelanesian · #3 11-04-2009, 11:48 AM

Most likely *some* cyclists had wrongly obstructed him at *some* time. Not necessarily these cyclists. He let his temper get the best of him and he lashed out at *these* cyclists. It was definitely poor judgment on his part.

jhu · #4 11-04-2009, 12:05 PM

He should go to jail. And so should the people who participate in Crtical Mass events.

Tomjones76 · #5 11-04-2009, 02:53 PM

Is riding two abreast legal in the locale in question?

phoebeisis · #6 11-04-2009, 03:36 PM

This case was much discussed on bike forum.Needless to say he got very little sympathy there.
This driver had been involved in ongoing squabbling between riders and drivers on this road.Apparently it is much loved by cyclists because it is a nice climb with very little traffic.The drivers-mainly residents- have been complaining about 2-3 across bike riders who don't keep right in single file.
There has been lots of ill will on both sides. Very affluent residents(gated entrances) against riders on $5000 bikes. I doubt the jury had a heck of a lot of sympathy for either, so they followed the law and evidence.

There is a cadre of riders that think it is safer to take the entire lane(one bike) when in their judgment it is unsafe to move right and to let the car make a too close pass.The problem is "in their judgement" is well, in their judgment. Drivers don't like this of course.

The Critical Mass is mainly a West Coast thing. They think they are an oppressed minority using civil disobedience to fight for their "rights." I guess that is the Constitutional right be be an AH.

Speaking of which this md obviously is a flaming AH also. He was so angry at being flipped off and cursed by the riders that he used his car to injure them-AND THEN WAS SO CRAZY PISSED THAT HE TOLD THE COP "I WANTED TO TEACH THEM A LESSON." I can understand being pissed- I can even understand doing something violent. I can't understand being so crazy pissed that I admitted it.
Yeah, he was crazy pissed about being held up for 10-20 seconds a day for the last 2-3 years.Who gets that pissed over so little? How can you get to be 60 years old and still not have learned to deal with such a minor thing??

There was plenty of AHism in this meeting. Riders too childish to not antagonize someone with 4000 lbs of iron-a driver bordering on crazy!

Oh well,
Charlie

Chuck · #7 11-04-2009, 03:55 PM

Well said, Charlie.

At least some of the cyclists might have deserved some pain, but certainly not like the two victims....looks like a very good chance some of them were cruising for a brusing.

The ER Doctor - suspect he was so used to people always yielding to him in the hospital and following his orders he forgot that does not happen on the road. As Charlie pointed, out this man had lots of head knowledge yet displayed emotional intelligence well under a moron.

southerncannuck · #8 11-04-2009, 04:25 PM

I have no sympathy for this guy. I ride about 110 miles a week and have been fortunate so far. I would hate to think that some guy feels that he has any right to injure others is on the road.

Chuck · #9 11-04-2009, 04:43 PM

Occasionally I'll tell bikers I share the road with them as hypermiling requires the attention they must have to stay alive.

phoebeisis · #10 11-04-2009, 05:27 PM

Southerncannuck,

He is a completely unsympathetic figure. Loads of $$, nice house, fancy car everything going for him except he is a miserable excuse for a human being-a prima donna. He was involved in 2 earlier incidents where he menaced riders. I didn't read any stories of fellow ER workers saying what a great guy he is. Probably means he was a flaming jerk at work also..

The riders aren't really sympathetic either-40 yo adults yelling f you and flipping off an obviously angry driver. Smart! How can you live 40 years and not know better than to do something that stupid. They didn't deserve to be maimed, but they aren't in line for canonization either.

Charlie