Earlier this month, we blogged about a former New Jersey police officer who, after a few drinks, crashed into a group of motorcyclists and killed two of them. The bikers were members of club for recovering addicts and alcoholics. The jury reached a verdict on December 11.

John P Heaney III was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person and drunken driving. Despite the guilty charges, friends and family members of the deceased victims are unhappy with the verdict, mostly because it ignores some of the more serious charges levied against the former cop. The jury did not find Heaney guilty of drunken vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide, drunken aggravated assault by vehicle, aggravated assault or aggravated assault by vehicle.

‘Horrible’           

“I think it’s horrible,” said motorcycle rider Jerry Hoogmoed, who sustained injuries in the motorcycle accident. “They (the jury members) didn’t see though any of the smokescreen.”

“We wanted justice, and this wasn’t justice,” Hoogmoed said. “We have to move on, but we’re not happy with it.”

Heaney will receive his sentencing on January 14. He faces up to 18 and a half years in prison.

If you lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, you have options beyond criminal trials. Civil litigation can recover damages for your loss. Call us at (866) 377-3800 to learn more and schedule a free case review.

Metier Law Firm, LLC – Denver injury attorneys