| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 11:41:54 AM | On September 1, 2009, Bryant was taken into police custody after an altercation with cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard[10] that resulted in Sheppard's death. Bryant was later charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death with respect to the incident.[11] Witness reports indicated that Bryant's black Saab convertible and Sheppard were involved in a "minor collision" that led to an argument. During the argument, Bryant drove away, and Sheppard grabbed onto the side of Bryant's vehicle while it was moving.
Some witnesses said that it appeared as though Bryant was attempting to knock Sheppard off the car by brushing against trees and mailboxes on the wrong side of Bloor Street approaching Avenue Road. [1][12][13]
Bryant was later released by the police on his own recognizance, and his first court date is scheduled for October 19, 2009.[14][15] Given his high profile, Bryant has hired the services of a communications consultanting firm, Navigator Ltd., and will be defended by Marie Henein.[16] The Ministry of the Attorney General has appointed British Columbia's Richard Peck as the prosecutor and is expected to have an out-of-province judge oversee this case, as Bryant previously appointed judges and oversaw Crown prosecutors when he was serving as Attorney General.[17]
On September 2, 2009, Bryant resigned as CEO of Invest Toronto, stating that he was innocent of the allegations against him but that the arrest would act as a distraction for the corporation.[2] It was suggested that the condition of Bryant's release, which required that he remain in Ontario and that he surrender his passport, would make it difficult for him to continue to head Invest.[18]
I lifted the blurb from Wikipedia.
What do people make of this?
Issues seem to range from road sharing (bikes & cars), police handling of the case and even accusations that Bryant will walk a free man because of his background as a well connected lawyer, former MPP and AG of Ontario | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 11:47:54 AM | This was recently brought to my attention and I've been doing some reading of different articles about the entire incident.
Though tragic for the bicyclist, I don't see that Bryant did anything wrong. I can only imagine the moments of adrenaline and horror as the events occured...
I wonder if charges would have been laid if it were a regular citizen that was driving the saab convertible? | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 12:33:07 PM | "I wonder if charges would have been laid if it were a regular citizen that was driving the saab convertible?"
Why would it make a difference who was driving, charges should be laid no matter who was driving the vechicle.
I too have been reading a lot about what happened and I'm assuming the former Attorney General was scared for his life if this cyclist was going for his steering wheel. Maybe he did go too far in going the wrong way and up the curb in an effort to get the cyclist to let go of his car.
Either way I think the former Attorney General will probably get Probation and Community Service since he is a former AG and has the money and connections to get himself the best defense team. But thats my opinion and I am basing it on what I have read in the papers.
Who nows if the truth will ever come out as to what really happened since the cyclist did pass away . I now what is it like to be a cyclist in Toronto and it is not safe as I have been cut off many times by cars.
happy  | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 12:46:20 PM |
Why would it make a difference who was driving, charges should be laid no matter who was driving the vechicle. If you get in an accident because you are blindsided by a drunk, and the drunk dies... you should be charged?
I don't see that Bryant did anything wrong... he was the one that was attacked by the cyclist.
I would hate to be a victim of something like this and then to be a victim of the courts by being charged.
In my opinion, this is a travesty of justice... victims should not stand trial. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 12:54:29 PM | | hmm, funny, isn't the dead person usually the victim? I don't see how, if the man was in his car, he couldn't have just locked his doors, put up his windows, and waited for authorities. HE doesn't appear to have been attacked, his CAR was. This justifies homicide in your mind? | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 12:59:34 PM | why would it make a differance who was driving ? you have to be kidding me .... let me give you a hand with your obvious dilemma {{ SomeOne of some type of importance killed someone of NoN Importance}} ....at least thats the way its seen in the pathetic public eye . Life has no meaning anymore so honestly , expect this clown to walk....the sad thing is ...dont cars have such things as brakes ? We can bash this crap around all day and nite on who was right and who wasnt....a bike vs a car....lol i mean its not that hard to sort this out . Reguardless of who did what , what started it ...thats not the issue , the issue is how it ended ? heres what I see , A car Vs bike , a driver who drove off with someone attached to his car , im sure this guy had a cell phone and 911 is not that tough to dial . Personally make an example of the ***hole he knew the chance of him getting hurt compared to the bike rider / he could have dialed 911 . I`ve been riding bikes forever , and use to ride from durham to toronto on my moutian bike ...and i will tell you , drivers just dont care , they dont look and they think cause they are bigger and will not get hurt that gives them the right away .
The bike companys also have to take some responsiblity as well , i dont know what kinda bike this guy was riding but ive noticed some of these bikes that they bring out that are twice the size of normal bikes ... or use more space or that are hard to stear.....all I have to say to that is.....wtf are you thinking ? bikes have to share the road with cars why are they making these bikes that are that size ? sometimes....common sense ....aint so common
btw , justwantedtono - Witness reports indicated that Bryant's black Saab convertible , i dont think doing the windows up would have helped much ... have many cars stolden ? | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 1:11:32 PM |
black Saab convertible , i dont think doing the windows up would have helped much
I still doubt the man feared for his life to the point of killing the cyclist in self defense! | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 1:13:49 PM |
I still doubt the man feared for his life to the point of killing the cyclist in self defense! I believe the death was accidental... the way you're phrasing it implies that there was deliberate action to kill the guy...
Barring some mind shattering news that shows Bryant knew the cyclist... I'll still toss my hat in the ring with Bryant... | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 1:27:29 PM | you're phrasing it implies that there was deliberate action to kill the guy
The guy deliberately ran his car into trees and mailboxes to 'dislodge' the cyclist from his car. Why would he feel the need to ram this person into stationary objects? What did he think was going to happen?
What possibly could the motorist have been thinking? 'Hmm - this guy grabbed my car - I think I ram him into a tree - that'll teach him!' The cyclist is dead - that's homicide my friend. Stupid? Yes, but homicide. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 2:19:16 PM | Just remember....there are TWO SIDES to every story.
In the end.....it will all come out in the wash.....
Yes, this story was and is a tragedy....
Meeks88..... | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 2:25:43 PM |
The guy deliberately ran his car into trees and mailboxes to 'dislodge' the cyclist from his car. We don’t know that it was deliberate. From the reports that are being released, the cyclist was slamming his bike lock against the car in an aggressive action while holding the steering wheel with his other hand.
I dare say that it would be difficult to maintain your composure under such high adrenaline circumstances. Personally, I would be in fear of my safety and not thinking of the issues that might occur while I try to retain control of the vehicle and remove the threat from my immediate presence.
Yes, but homicide. If the cyclist would have lived, it would have been him charged with assault and attempted car-jacking. It wasn’t Bryant that was in the commission of the crime during these events. It was the cyclist…
Unless you’re going to tell me that it’s perfectly ok to try to assume control of a stranger’s vehicle and aggressively slam things into it… | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 3:06:49 PM | From the reports that are being released, the cyclist was slamming his bike lock against the car in an aggressive action while holding the steering wheel with his other hand.
According to who? Please cite the source. Thats not at all what I have heard.
I dare say that it would be difficult to maintain your composure under such high adrenaline circumstances.
It might be difficult for YOU to remain calm, but not for me. There is no circumstance that I could justify vehicular homocide.
Lintspotter, its obvious you havent been on a bicycle in years. Just listen to yourself, you are justifying homocide. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 3:12:49 PM | According to who? Please cite the source. Thats not at all what I have heard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDEBoCcdRoU&videos=zmiWSfRqcTk
It might be difficult for YOU to remain calm, but not for me. There is no circumstance that I could justify vehicular homocide You're a rock... when attacked, damned right I falter... adrenaline rushes through me and I react in a way that I know later I shouldn't...
Just listen to yourself, you are justifying homocide. I'm justifying self defence. If that happens to result in the felon losing his life, so be it.
***edit***
Umm...the cyclist could have chosen to let go any time he wanted. Why didn't he???? | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 3:36:26 PM | I'm no rocket scientist and I've not read much on the incident. But, wouldn't slamming the brakes on the car send the cyclist spinning head over heels? The entire incident seems to be a case where the driver of the car has no balls or brains whatsoever. How the hell can a guy on a bike, with one hand on steering wheel while other arm being used to thrash the vehicle, be much of a challenge?
Common sense would have been to slam the brakes. Throw it in reverse after that. The cyclist would have been laying on the ground looking like an ass.... rather than a corpse. The car driver is a whimp and a coward. His actions strongly suggest that to be the case. A real man would have dealt with the situation rather than run from the situation.
But then again, he was a politician. 
I don't by the "adrenalin" story. He was scared shitless - like a puppy dog. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 3:46:56 PM | The bike guy was completely drunk and had just been released from police custody earlier in the night - he attacked a guy in a convertable - I can see him being in fear of his life and I would have driven the biker into a mail box to get rid of him too!!
edit (below) It's a very scary world out there - full of guns and lunatics - male or female I'd protect myself from anything / anyone I felt threatened by!! It's also not hard to recognize a complete drunk when you see one - especially when they are doing such insane things!! | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 3:52:23 PM |
The bike guy was completely drunk and had just been released from police custody earlier in the night - he attacked a guy in a convertable - I can see him being in fear of his life and I would have driven the biker into a mail box to get rid of him too!!
Problem being, the driver would have no idea if the cyclist was drunk, or not. Leanne, I can possibly understand a woman responding that way if attacked by a man. But not a guy.
I imagine the driver as someone who would place his kids or wife between him and danger. He'd make a great prison biotch. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 3:56:24 PM | | ^^^his wife was in the car with him. i suspect he might have been thinking of protecting his wife from the lunatic attacking them. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 4:14:01 PM |
^^^his wife was in the car with him. i suspect he might have been thinking of protecting his wife from the lunatic attacking them
That's possible. I'm guessing his marriage must be ok, then.
However, the issue was between the driver and the cyclist. I still think he is a coward. He obviously must have known what he was doing once he began driving away.
If I'm wrong, that's fine. It's not like road rage stories aren't a dime-a-dozen. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 4:26:08 PM |
I don't by the "adrenalin" story. He was scared shitless - like a puppy dog. Fear causes adrenaline to course through your veins too… and I don’t blame him for being afraid – I would hope that any man I love would have erred on the side of fear rather than heroism… you live longer that way.
Problem being, the driver would have no idea if the cyclist was drunk, or not. I’ve dealt with some drunks that you can smell from 15 or 20 feet away… he could have caught a whiff of the smell of alcohol easily – the man’s face was in close proximity to his.
Leanne, I can possibly understand a woman responding that way if attacked by a man. But not a guy. Why the double standard? I know some women that do not crack under pressure and I know men that just can’t handle the least little bit…
I understand anyone reacting in that fashion.
^^^his wife was in the car with him. i suspect he might have been thinking of protecting his wife from the lunatic attacking them. Yes, they had finished celebrating their 12th anniversary…
I think Bryant and his wife were lucky that the guy was on a bike and not in another vehicle… they could have been hurt themselves and that would truly have been a tragedy.
Currently, we have the next nomination to the Darwin Awards… | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 5:32:03 PM |
there's just no excuse for this. A car is the weapon. It was road rage, pure and simple. How exactly is this considered road rage? If the cyclist wouldn't have attacked Bryant, then Bryant wouldn't have reacted... cyclist would have continued his inebriated way home and woken up with a hang-over and Bryant's promising career wouldn't be in question at this moment...
I don't get how the cyclist has become the victim of anything but his own stupidity... | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 5:33:08 PM | Bryant will walk, people will applaud when it happens. He'll be back running whatever nastiness he was involved with; all cylinders running.
The biker was agitated that morning before he met Bryant. They did have an altercation. Some sort of accident. Who knows who was at fault, likely both. If you bike a lot its fairly easy to just assume the drivers wish you dead. Lots seem to like taking action on that.
I'm guessing Bryant tried to exit the situation and the biker hung onto the car.
Not sure my first reaction would be to tromp on the accelerator and try to brush a stranger off by smacking his body into trees, mailboxes and other sidewalk paraphernalia. That might look like vehicular murder.
Could instead just park the car, call 911, wait and see what's up.
Its difficult to imagine that there weren't lots of moments when Bryant didn't know he was killing someone. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 7:04:56 PM | 2 folks in the car and no one called 911 ? holding on to a car while riding a bike is a hard task ...especially while trying to drive the car , beat the hell out of someone with a bike lock at the same time and to top it off being drunk ....Now that folks....is a Multi- Tasker .....Cant really point the finger at the cops , they didnt know this was gonna happen . No matter the case it still comes down to ... Drunk Dood on Bike Vs Folks in a car ..... the people in the car were in danger of what ? way i see it ....the driver of the car Intended to atleast hurt the Victum ...instead he killed him , a life was lost ....Stupid as it may seem ... One person was in the right frame of mind to make the right choice ....the other....not so much . Hard to say it the rider was looking for a fight ...or if the driver somehow pushed him past that point. hard to say
sweetness-1 ...how dare you bring logic into the Pof forums....for shame | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 7:25:45 PM |
the driver of the car Intended to atleast hurt the Victum Using your logic, anyone in process of a crime that gets injured or dies as a direct result of that crime becomes a victim.
I still don't see it... someone tries to hurt me and in my defence they die, they aren't a victim, they're a perpetrator. | |
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| Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard
Posted: 9/4/2009 9:45:21 PM |
How exactly is this considered road rage? If the cyclist wouldn't have attacked Bryant,
I did a little bit more reading on this topic. Police are of the impression there was some sort of altercation prior to the cyclist hanging onto the car. The fact that a few charges are against the driver kind of suggests there is a wrongdoing on his part.
Regarding the drunkedness - not true. The cyclists' girlfriend called police and acused him of being drunk (they were having issues, apparently). Police determined he was not drunk and let him go on his way. The more I read the more I've concluded that the driver possibly disregarded the presence of the cyclist on the street and that's what set the cyclist off.
From the Canadian Press:
Former Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant was charged Tuesday with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death
^^^^ Rightfully so. He purposely drove the cyclist into objects - that is a sign of "intent" to hurt someone - that is not a defensive act. Driving a vehicle while fighting someone off is also unsafe for anyone else in close proximity to the moving vehicle. There is no reason for not slamming the brakes - that would have solved everything.
I don't see that Bryant did anything wrong... he was the one that was attacked by the cyclist
Apparently, there is a possibility Bryant provoked the entire situation. | |
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