Blog Post By Jordan North.....
Facebook photo, used under First Amendment Fair Comment and Criticism
I'm almost never speechless but sometimes a heavy sigh is all that can be mustered. If you've never been a Mother of a wonderful son with a golden smile, you may not relate. One of our greatest fears is losing our child in the streets. It never crosses our mind that it will be at the hands of a reportedly 55-year-old drunk man, behind the wheel of a car, going in excess of ONE HUNDRED miles per hour. Allegedly...allegedly according to highly trained police accident investigators...
The Mother of Melvin Jones, Ms. Lillard, tells me about her son and best friend. A life reportedly taken by a drunk driver named Philip S. Bertelsen. He used his vehicle at speeds beyond reckless to crush the lives of innocent people. That first "allegedly" at the top of this post should be considered to be all through this piece of writing, OK?
(Excerpts from the conversation of Jordan North and N.K. Lillard)
Photo given to Jordan North by Melvin's Mother and best friend.
''Thank you for your time and support. I had Melvin at the young age of 18 so we basically grew up together. After his dad and I divorced early in Melvin's childhood he took on the responsibility of being a father figure to his younger siblings. Teaching them respect, to be a good student and definitely fun stuff too, like how to play basketball. Melvin will be remembered most by his infectious smile and his fun encouraging uplifting presence. He really enjoyed life and brought joy to everyone he was around. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, the love he had for them was immeasurable. His role as a big brother is one that he cherished and was great at it!
Melvin had a passion for sports, music and children. In all his endeavors he gave his best and was determined to succeed as a young entrepreneur. Melvin was a Student, recently enrolled at Western Michigan University where he had completed 1 year towards a degree in Nursing. He visited Minnesota over the summer and really enjoyed his time there. It was there he began his journey as a young entrepreneur where he met and connected with several different people. Some who joined him along his independent business owner journey. That was where he connected with Brandy Banks.
He believed Minnesota offered a lot of opportunities to doors that would lead him to where he was going in life. He left home on October 30th to begin the next chapter of life. Not knowing that would be cut short within a matter of days by the senseless recklessness of a drunk driver. Melvin and I were best friends and we depended on one another's strength and guidance daily.''
Family photo given to Jordan North by Melvin's Mother.
The lives of these two dreamers, who were making their dreams a reality until it all ended in a North Minneapolis intersection.....The Family of Brandy Banks-Sutta celebrated what would have been her 22nd birthday this week.
In an area in dire need of positive young people and role models the tragedy and loss of Brandy and Melvin affects the entire community. There is no justice or actions that can replace what's been taken from us all. All that's left now is to make sure that the Honorable Judge Koch understands that the national media is watching this case and more importantly the citizens, he represents are watching. Minnesota does have a lot to offer. We have citizens who care deeply and will stand up for justice.
This was no accident. Philip S. Bertelsen allegedly used his car as a weapon, to take the lives of two people. Please email Judge Koch and let him know that his decision matters to the people of Minneapolis, to our families and children who should never have to share the road with Philip Bertelsen or any other drunk driver. We should never have to see this, on the side of street..
The next court date is June 9th, 2014. Please email today.
Honorable Judge Koch Hennepin County Courthouse
Phone: (612)348-2040
Chambers Phone: 612-348-6432
Chambers Email: Email Chambers Staff
31 comments:
I'll bet a hundred dollars that if the driver were a Black man, he'd still be behind bars and probably already convicted.
This is a tragic loss to our community and we're dealt a second blow knowing the alleged driver/murderer is free.
100 mph? That's not an accident. That's an on purpose. Mofo should spend many years in prison. Maybe the rest of his.
its a white mans world! its no longer are world no more my 12 tribes of israel!
I wish I could write that it's not a white man's world. I can't. Bertelsen being released without bail by Judge William Koch is an outrage. I don't care that he's gone through treatment. He was driving 105 mph in the middle of the city. His victims were beautiful people. I am so sorry for both of their families. I will write the judge and email the judge and call the judge. And I will encourage others to do the same.
I called Judge Koch's chambers and was told that the judge handling Bertelsen's case is Judge Kathryn Quaintance. Her contact info is here http://www.mncourts.gov/?ID=30276&page=31 612-348-5067
FUCK ALL OF YOU MAKING THIS AN ISSUE ABOUT RACE....YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO FOLKS WHO LOVE TO KISS YOUR ASSES AND MAKE YOU FEEL THAT YOUR SELF-BIASED CONFIRMATIONS ARE LEGITIMATE...AND THE CHINESE WILL OWN US SOMEDAY.
REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER AND SISTER... THIS GUY WILL PAY.USED THE CHINESE AS AN EXAMPLE ..YOU SILLY ASSHOLE'S. HOPE THIS GUY DIES CHOKING ON HIS ALCOHOLIC VOMIT.
I will have to second the first comment. This is a tragedy and we shouldn't not have to mourn the loss of these young teenagers while he is a free man!!! He needs to be in jail .
I believe he does have a criminal background. ....it's just over 20 ago and that's why it's not showing up. This case he was twice the legal limit and driving reckless!!! My question is where was he coming from....where was he going at that speed???????
Just e-mailed judge Kathryn Quaintance asking for the toughest sentence possible.
The information about which judge is handling this case, supposedly, is unconfirmed.
Melvin's Mother did inform me that the case was going before the Honorable Judge Kathryn Quaintance.
The only hearing I was able to verify through the online court system is the following:Implied Consent Hearing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Chu, Regina M.)
03/04/2014
Reset by Court to 05/13/2014
05/13/2014
Continued to 07/24/2014 - By agreement - Bertelsen, Philip Scott
I see it.
Register of Actions
Case No. 27-CV-13-22015
Philip Scott Bertelsen vs Commissioner of Public Safety §
§
§
§
§
Case Type: Implied Consent
Date Filed: 12/23/2013
Location: - Hennepin Civil
Party Information
Lead Attorneys
Petitioner Bertelsen, Philip Scott
DOB: 11/14/1958 ROBERT MATTHEW CHRISTENSEN
Retained
612-333-1775(W)
Respondent Commissioner of Public Safety Pro Se
St. Paul, MN 55101-2134
Events & Orders of the Court
OTHER EVENTS AND HEARINGS
12/23/2013 Implied Consent Petition
12/23/2013 Affidavit of Service
12/23/2013 Correspondence
12/24/2013 Correspondence
12/30/2013 Order-Other
02/10/2014 Notice of Hearing
02/19/2014 Notice of Hearing
05/09/2014 Notice of Hearing
07/24/2014 Implied Consent Hearing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Chu, Regina M.)
03/04/2014 Reset by Court to 05/13/2014
05/13/2014 Continued to 07/24/2014 - By agreement - Bertelsen, Philip Scott
Financial Information
Petitioner Bertelsen, Philip Scott
Total Financial Assessment 324.00
Total Payments and Credits 324.00
Balance Due as of 05/29/2014 0.00
12/24/2013 Transaction Assessment 324.00
12/24/2013 E-File Electronic Payment Receipt # EP27C-2013-39303 Bertelsen, Philip Scott (324.00)
That didn't pop up where expected because I had to search the "Civil" side of MNCIS instead of the "Criminal."
I been friends with melvin since 7th grade an i hated to see a friend i love so much go. But lets not make this about race and lets not say it wasn't a accident. I feel that if they kept him in a cell till he was sentenced that would be the easy way out im happy he out so he can see what he done and face the facts and all the pain. Trust me he will not go unpunished if the courts don't get him jesus will. I love u mel watch over us.
And even bigger Tragedy than the Judge letting this piece of trash off is Johnny Northside reporting on it. Had these two young people not be solid upstanding citizens, and say had a felony or two between them, Dear Old Johnny would have trolled their facebook pages until he found something that would have suggested that their past actions justified their terrible deaths and by all means would have excused white privilege. Don't try to hide behind this Johnny, we know how you really are. You've already shown up a hundred times over and over again.
His family flew in town yesterday and at the last minute, they postponed the court date. I read the heartbreaking story of their first visit to Minneapolis and the location where their son was killed. I'm hoping and praying that justice is done, no matter how long it takes.
God dont like ugly. This has everything to do with race! I cant believe the judge or Bertleston's attourney! Had the nerve to say he's no longer a threat to society because he went to treatment! Are you kidding me!? Did he not kill two people!? I guess if I shoot TWO people and go to church for a couple of months Ill be able to get a slap on the wrist because IM NO LONGER A THREAT TO SOCIETY! I cant believe this! THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE NEED MORE AFRICAN AMERICAN JUDGES, LAWYERS, POLICE OFFICERS & ECT.... BECAUSE UNTIL THEN THE WHITE PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO BE IN CONTROL!
Brandy we miss you so freakin much not a day that goes by that my son doesn't ask where he's elmo at... I try not to cry but its so hard to keep the tears in I know your watching over us
- Love yu brandy
Next court date Aug 26th. If he doesn't plead guilty it will be set for trial
We live in the same neighborhood of this man and it makes my husband and I sick to see him living his life free and....DRIVING!
Justice must be served!! We will be paying attention and voting appropriately in the next election.
This girl Brandy Banks was Louis "G.I." Banks' little cousin. On November 3rd 2013, at the Yo Gotti concert, G.I. supposedly paid the YNT gang $5,000 to kill Tyrone "Ty Crack" Washington. The guys killed him needless to say which ended in the club closing early at 1am instead of 2am. Now you tell me, if Louis Banks didn't pay them to kill Tyrone Washington and the club didn't close early, Would his little cousin have been their at 1:30am to get hit by that car? KARMA
You allegedly know all of this HOW?
Reading your blog! They were family, if that's what your asking.
And explain what the driver Melvin an out of towner giving her a ride had to fo with THIS KARMA??
Karma really? ??
Karma? Really? ??
The next court date is November 7, 2014 @ 9am and the trial date is set for February 9, 2015 Justice for Brandy and Melvin is a must. REMEMBER TO WRITE IMPACT STATEMENTS, We as community must stand for Brandy and Melvin, let our voices be heard and also let them know drunk driving we will not tolerated. The drunk driver that killed them made a decision to get behind the wheel and drive.
I don't care where these young people were coming from...they are now dead. DEAD!!! There is no coming back from dead. It seems to me that they were fine young adults and will be sorely missed by everyone here. The world is a poorer place because of their absence.
Drunk driving is a big, huge deal. It is and should be criminal. This man's attorney is just doing his job, however, we will be watching all the judges involved in this mess to do theirs to protect the public from this remorseless selfish man. Being an alcoholic does not absolve him of the consequences of his choices, neither does going through treatment. Big deal, too little too damn late!
Carey, I could not agree with you more. I couldn't even muster a response.
Court date rescheduled AGAIN!!! This is pure nonsense!
Just checked... Hearing today 4/2/15.
Jury trial now set for 8/03/15.
Our justice system is F*****G unbelievable........
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