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Nipomo woman who killed bicyclist pleads no contest to murder

June 9, 2016

Michelle Yvonne HartA Nipomo woman who killed a bicyclist while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol pleaded no contest to second-degree murder on Wednesday. She faces a maximum sentence of 19 years to life in prison, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

On Oct. 1, 2014, Michelle Yvonne Hart, 46, was driving southbound on Los Berros Road near Pomeroy Road in rural Arroyo Grande when she collided with the back of a bicycle that Glen Hurley Fulton was riding.

The collision ejected Fulton 48, from the bicycle. Though Fulton was wearing a helmet, he suffered fatal head injuries.

Hart fled the scene but was arrested shortly after the crash. A blood test revealed Hart was under the influence of alcohol, methamphetamine and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, at the time of the collision.

Initially, Hart did not face a murder charge in the case. But, California law allows prosecutors to charge a defendant with murder if he/she kills another person as a result of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

On Wednesday, Hart also pleaded no contest to felony hit-and-run causing the death of another. She was previously convicted of DUIs twice in the 10 years prior to the fatal crash.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 29. Hart remains in San Luis Obispo County Jail with her bail set at $100,000.

 


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We need to take down the blind Justice mascot and induct the court jester as the symbol of US justice.


Yes, this woman needed to pay for her crime. I too just wish it was consistent. A life is a life.


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Harsher sentences for people who intentionally kill cops carry some logic. Someone who is willing to murder an officer is likely to kill about anyone. But the distinction between cop and cyclist, random motorist, or pedestrian doesn’t hold up in the case of impaired or reckless driving. Sentences should be consistent regardless of the victim’s identity in cases where the victim isn’t specifically targeted.


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When you pass by a chance to get clean and sober….it may never come your way again.


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She hasn’t been sentenced yet. It wasn’t a member of LEO, normal citizens don’t rate as high in the punishment arena, don’t hold your breath for the same severity.


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This sentence just shows how class-based “justice” is in SLO county. She’s lower class, down and out. But the stoned brat driving daddy’s BMW on Price Canyon who kills an innocent gets 3 years probation since the DA didn’t want to mess up his nice life with an actual charge and sentence. Poor people get charged with murder for things rich kids don’t even get charged for. Justice indeed!


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Why wasn’t she given a life sentence? Kaylee Weisenberg was and she too was under the influence of drugs/alcohol with prior convictions.


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Because Kaylee Weisenberg killed a Cop and Cops get better treatment than the rest of us peons.


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