Melvin Jones
Blog post by Jordan North
The court date has been moved too many times to count. This alone is devastating for a family that needs to fly into town for every court date. The next court date is December 19th at 9:00 am before the Honorable Judge Kathryn L. Quaintance.
This is an omnibus hearing to go over the TON of motions that Philip Bertelsen has filed. I have spoken directly with a reliable source and have learned that he allegedly is disputing the blood test. He is claiming that he was knocked out by...
...the impact and did not consent to having a blood test done. Officers will be testifying on the 19th.
I don't know what all that means. I know that the tests show he was DRUNK and that he was driving in excess of one hundred miles per hour. I know that he is living freely in his Golden Valley home while these two young people are buried in a grave. When you come into North Minneapolis and KILL two wonderful young people, justice should come quickly and justice should come hard.
Please don't let this situation fade from your thoughts or your prayers. As you send off your Christmas cards to the ones you love take a moment to send a letter to the Honorable Judge. These heartbroken Mothers need your support.
Judge Kathryn L. Quaintance
Hennepin County Courthouse
300 South 6th Street Minneapolis , MN 55487
Phone: (612)348-2040
Chambers Phone: 612-348-5067
Chambers Email: Email Chambers Staff
21 comments:
Unconscious or not, I thought MN was an implied consent state with no warrant or permission needed for evidentiary BAC in a fatal crash.
My deepest condolences to the families who will never celebrate any of life's worthwhile moments with them again.
A comment to this blog post has been rejected. The commenter takes his anger at the alleged drunk driver quite a bit too far, or just wants to stir up trouble.
MN is an implied consent state (meaning when you sign for your driver license you automatically agree for to a BAC) but there was a case that went to higher courts back in April of 2013 when it was challenged and was thrown out (different circumstances) Now every Drunk Driver is filing motions in hopes for the same outcome.
How is any anger towards the ALLEGED drunk driver too far???
I am not going to repeat what the comment said. It was, however, too far.
Fuck you and your self righteous first amendment censorship you scared piece of work. This motherfucker should roast for taking out these beautiful people.
Fuck you double and I hope he gets anal fucking cancer and vomits out of his ears and his head explodes slowly.
I disapprove of the tone and crude expression of that comment but I am publishing it in a spirit of First Amendment discourse and free expression.
Hope they stick Shit in his Ass in jail
this story sucks but it happens all over Minnesota I used to work for a big company and so many people had DW eyes on the record in four people murdered people while drinking and driving and only got slapped on the rest no jail time no nothing its ridiculous I think murder is murder doesn't matter if it was an accident or not ridiculous that we try to define it any sort of way of difference whether someone uses a gun a car are you get your car fixed at a mechanic in the mechanic doesn't fix your brakes accidents don't happen someone is always responsible it's ridiculous to think otherwise
12/19/2014
Well... was the sentencing date extended again? I'm counting on you for the latest info. Thanks for keeping us all filled in. We won't forget until justice is served!
The trial date is set for March 30th. Two counts were thrown out as well has the evidence that proved he was drunk, gathered by police. We are getting together an impact statement and putting it in two local businesses for everyone to sign. I will post the locations.
I am heartbroken for the families. Just once, I would love to see a man be a man. Stand up and say you're sorry, guilty, and let people have peace. There are so few of those left.
If you were at the original hearing
the court ordered him not to contact any of the families even through a third party. So by law he cannot even say he is sorry.
Jordan, I hope you will write a guest author piece and add more detail to the information that's in your comment.
With the evidence thrown out, the whole case could be dismissed by prosecutors unless citizens keep this case on the front burner and in the public spotlight.
The Evidence of the BAC was thrown out because the police failed to obtain a warrant before taking the blood test. It still doesn't change the fact that he committed criminal vehicular homicide in a gross negligent manner proven by the black box that he was recklessly driving at 107 mph
Whatever! He was drunk and killed two people and show absolutely no remorse! Fighting to get evidence to prove he was drunk we he know darn sure he was! Show some remorse and just take responsibility for your selfish actions! I wonder if this happened to his daughter Michelle would he be so understanding to the person who did it. But hey they both have DUI which proves they could care less about what has happened or the lives of others!
I do not know the source of your facts or whether those facts are accurate. I am publishing your comment in a spirit of First Amendment discussion. Could you be more specific?
Specific how? I am speaking on behalf of the family and I was also present during the hearing. This is exactly what happen. The implied consent no longer applies. It was stated in court that there was a case that went to the Supreme court last year where the officers failed to get a warrant before drawing blood and the court ruled in favor of the defendant and the evidence was thrown out. Since that ruling the laws have changed. The fact that this accident happened near downtown and the defendant was transported to the hospital within 15 minutes the officers had ample time to obtain a warrant. Considering there is a two hour window for alcohol blood levels. So basically, the officer screwed up! And the victims and their families become victimized Again!!!!
I hope the case gets tried anyway. I believe there is evidence enough to convict without the blood evidence.
Thank you, I believe it will be tried but the way it's looking he will probably be sentenced to 48 months or less. So sad. Basically saying if you want to kill someone in Minnesota just do it by getting drunk and crash into them with your car! I know people who are in prison for a lot more time than that for retail fraud.
March 30 has come and gone and I still see him driving and living his life!! Where is the outrage??? I do not understand.
Court rescheduled Again!! Another 6 months he's allowed to enjoy his life and family while we the family live in turmoil daily because he MURDERED our kids!!! Court rescheduled for August!!!!
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