XPost: alt.california.illegals, tx.politics, sac.general   
   XPost: alt.politics.republicans   
   From: cocksuckers@sacramento.ca.gov   
      
   The man accused of striking and killing a cyclist in Chula Vista   
   was arraigned in his hospital room Thursday.   
      
   Michael Reyes, 29, has been undergoing treatment at the UCSD   
   Medical Center Trauma Unit for injuries he sustained in the   
   crash Monday near East J Street and Dennis Avenue.   
      
   Cyclist David Voigt was riding home from his job at the   
   Sweetwater Water Authority when he was hit and killed by a   
   stolen vehicle being driven by Reyes.   
      
   The impact of the Nissan Maxima was so great, it split Voigt’s   
   bike in two, smashed through a utility pole and then split a   
   tree trunk that was half the width of the car.   
      
   Chula Vista police say Reyes was drunk behind the wheel at the   
   time of the crash.   
      
   During his arraignment, Reyes laid in a hospital bed in apparent   
   discomfort, his bandaged left leg propped up at an angle.   
   Through a public defender, he pleaded not guilty to charges   
   related to the fatal accident that killed Voigt.   
      
   Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sontag did not allow any   
   recording devices inside the small hospital arraignment at UCSD   
   Medical Center. Reyes was ordered held on $500,000 bail.   
      
   Reyes waived the reading of charges during his arraignment by   
   telling the judge “yeah,” when asked if he agreed. According to   
   deputy district attorney Carlos Varela, Reyes is facing five   
   counts including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated,   
   car theft and possession of methamphetamine. The charges carry a   
   maximum sentence of 15 years and 4 months behind bars.   
      
   Four of Voigt’s family members were in the hospital room during   
   Reyes’ arraignment. A pool reporter inside the room said Voigt’s   
   father said, “I want to get a good look at him,” and then shook   
   his head.   
      
   The family walked out of the hospital but did not want to talk   
   to reporters.   
      
   NBC7 has learned Reyes has a long criminal past and was on   
   probation for a January drug conviction at the time of the fatal   
   collision. During the arraignment, the prosecuting attorney   
   specified three previous cases for the judge to consider at   
   Reyes’ next hearing.   
      
   Reyes’ older brother, who asked not to be identified, told NBC7   
   the family is very sad about what happened Monday.   
      
   They extend to the Voigt family their very deepest sympathy, the   
   brother said.   
      
   Court records indicate Reyes was not only on probation at the   
   time of the crash but also was convicted of methamphetamine   
   possession less than two months ago.   
      
   And there's more: Reyes' criminal history includes at least   
   seven felony cases dating back just in the past ten years.   
      
   The suspect's brother does not excuse the behavior but said,   
   "Michael has been going through many life difficulties in this   
   last year."   
      
   Voight was a father, husband and an avid cyclist.   
      
   His death has touched many lives reflected by the sidewalk   
   shrine that grows daily.   
      
   Wednesday night a ghost bike was chained to it.   
      
   The bike painted all white serves as a reminder of yet another   
   bicyclist death in San Diego and as a quiet statement of support   
   of every cyclist's right to safely share the road.   
      
   A readiness conference has been scheduled for Reyes for Mar. 20.   
   His preliminary hearing date is set for Apr. 16. Neither the   
   prosecutor nor hospital would comment on Reyes’ injuries or when   
   he might be released from the hospital and transferred to county   
   jail.   
      
   http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Cyclist-Crash-Chula-Vista-   
   Voigt-Reyes-Arraign-San-Diego--   
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