old Grump
11-11-2010, 12:16 AM
Wealthy fund manager avoids felony charges after running over cyclist because of… wealth
By David Edwards (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/author/davidedwards/)
Monday, November 8th, 2010 -- 12:15 pm
A fund manager for Smith Barney is getting off without felony charges after he allegedly ran over a cyclist with his Mercedes and fled the scene in Eagle, Colorado, because, the DA says, felony charges would be bad for the fund manager's business (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/rich-vail-fund-manager-gets-off.php).
Martin Joel Erzinger will not be charged with a felony because "Felony convictions have some pretty serious job implications for someone in Mr. Erzinger's profession," according to District Attorney Mark Hurlbert.
Erzinger oversees over $1 billion in assets for "ultra high net worth individuals, their families and foundations," according to Worth (http://www.worth.com/index.php/component/advisors/?id=430&view=single).
Erzinger fled the scene July 3 after allegedly striking Dr. Steven Milo with his 2010 Mercedes Benz sedan on Highway 6, according to court documents. Erzinger later called the Mercedes auto assistance service to ask for his vehicle to be towed but did not report the accident to law enforcement. He claims he was unaware the cyclist had been hit.
"Mr. Erzinger struck me, fled and left me for dead on the highway," Milo wrote in a letter to the District Attorney. "Neither his financial prominence nor my financial situation should be factors in your prosecution of this case."
"Milo suffered spinal cord injuries, bleeding from his brain and damage to his knee and scapula, according to court documents," Randy Wyrick for reported Vail Daily (http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939/1078&ParentProfile=1062). "Over the past six weeks he has suffered 'disabling' spinal headaches and faces multiple surgeries for a herniated disc and plastic surgery to fix the scars he suffered in the accident."
"He will have lifetime pain," Milo's lawyer, Harold Haddon, wrote. "His ability to deal with the physical challenges of his profession -- liver transplant surgery -- has been seriously jeopardized."
Hurlbert explained that charging Erzinger with a felony could affect his job and ability to pay restitution. "When you're talking about restitution, you don't want to take away his ability to pay," the DA said.
While Martin Joel Erzinger would like to write a few checks and move on with his life, we must ensure that actions such as his are punished to the full extent of the law. Please do not drop felony charges against Martin Joel Erzinger.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/wealthy-fund-manager-avoids-felony-charges-running-cyclist/
Aren't you glad justice is blind, to bad he wasn't using a chauffeur who had both eyes open. I wonder how much money the DA and his friends has in Erzinger's fund...or do you think I'm being cynical?
By David Edwards (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/author/davidedwards/)
Monday, November 8th, 2010 -- 12:15 pm
A fund manager for Smith Barney is getting off without felony charges after he allegedly ran over a cyclist with his Mercedes and fled the scene in Eagle, Colorado, because, the DA says, felony charges would be bad for the fund manager's business (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/rich-vail-fund-manager-gets-off.php).
Martin Joel Erzinger will not be charged with a felony because "Felony convictions have some pretty serious job implications for someone in Mr. Erzinger's profession," according to District Attorney Mark Hurlbert.
Erzinger oversees over $1 billion in assets for "ultra high net worth individuals, their families and foundations," according to Worth (http://www.worth.com/index.php/component/advisors/?id=430&view=single).
Erzinger fled the scene July 3 after allegedly striking Dr. Steven Milo with his 2010 Mercedes Benz sedan on Highway 6, according to court documents. Erzinger later called the Mercedes auto assistance service to ask for his vehicle to be towed but did not report the accident to law enforcement. He claims he was unaware the cyclist had been hit.
"Mr. Erzinger struck me, fled and left me for dead on the highway," Milo wrote in a letter to the District Attorney. "Neither his financial prominence nor my financial situation should be factors in your prosecution of this case."
"Milo suffered spinal cord injuries, bleeding from his brain and damage to his knee and scapula, according to court documents," Randy Wyrick for reported Vail Daily (http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939/1078&ParentProfile=1062). "Over the past six weeks he has suffered 'disabling' spinal headaches and faces multiple surgeries for a herniated disc and plastic surgery to fix the scars he suffered in the accident."
"He will have lifetime pain," Milo's lawyer, Harold Haddon, wrote. "His ability to deal with the physical challenges of his profession -- liver transplant surgery -- has been seriously jeopardized."
Hurlbert explained that charging Erzinger with a felony could affect his job and ability to pay restitution. "When you're talking about restitution, you don't want to take away his ability to pay," the DA said.
While Martin Joel Erzinger would like to write a few checks and move on with his life, we must ensure that actions such as his are punished to the full extent of the law. Please do not drop felony charges against Martin Joel Erzinger.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/wealthy-fund-manager-avoids-felony-charges-running-cyclist/
Aren't you glad justice is blind, to bad he wasn't using a chauffeur who had both eyes open. I wonder how much money the DA and his friends has in Erzinger's fund...or do you think I'm being cynical?