Road Rage!

"The Consequences of "ROAD RAGE".A true human interest story.

"THE CONSEQUENCE OF ROAD RAGE"

Kevin Menton was, at the time of the shooting, and still is an employee of Vinyl Top Specialists. He is always one of the first to arrive, one of the last to leave, and works frequently on the weekends. Since the shooting, Kevin has been physically unable to perform at the same work level as before the shooting. He contributes extra so that, in his mind, he feels he is "pulling his share". We at Vinyl Top Specialists are sharing this with you because it is our opinion that the legal system we have now has failed Kevin in the worst of ways. Any attention you give this matter will be greatly appreciated. Please read the story on the next page, any comments or help you can give Kevin can be directed to Mr. Gary Bertrem at 555 North Ann Arbor, Oklahoma City, OK. 73127 Voice (405) 947-8677 Fax (405) 947- 8735. E-Mail www.Gbertrem@AOL.com "THE CONSEQUENCE OF "ROAD RAGE" As he lay facedown on the concrete sidewalk feeling the burning sensation in his stomach, back, and right arm. Hearing the pinging sound of shell casing fall to the ground, he kept thinking, "I lied to Jonathan, I'll never see him again, I gotta get-up … get outta here! It started out as a typical workday for Kevin Menton, the morning of January 16, 1997. The 6"3" blue-eyed, 240 pound, 40 year old leaned over and kissed his wife, Debbie "good morning" before getting up from the warmth of the secure bed covers. After drinking his morning Diet Coke and popping down his daily vitamin, he showered and dressed. Only this morning, he decided to wear his new long johns, blue Dickey trousers, and the new plaid shirt, which Debbie gave him at Christmas. This particular Thursday morning was no different for Debbie. As she lay in bed hearing the sound of Kevin's shower water hitting the shower wall, she longed to remain in bed for just a few more minutes. But she had to awaken their son, nine year old Jonathan, prepare his breakfast, pack his lunch, and help dress him to leave with Kevin to be dropped off at Pierce Elementary School. It was cold that morning. Debbie turned on the television to check the morning temperature before getting up, thirty degrees. At 7:35 a.m., Kevin opened the driver's side door of his black 1991 Jeep, as Jonathan climbed into the passenger seat for his ten-minute ride to school. As the ride ensued, father and son spoke of Jonathan's daily school schedule and the current football scores. Kevin slowly steered the Jeep into the school's driveway, as Jonathan unbuckled his seat belt and reached over to kiss his father good-bye. "I'll see you this evening. Love you, "Kevin softly spoke, responding to Jonathan's embrace. Kevin drove from the school's parking lot on Tulsa Avenue and drove towards the freeway carrying the morning rush hour traffic. Even though he didn't drink coffee, he volunteered to bring a 30-cup coffee maker to work that day for hi co-workers. As soon as he exited the freeway and reached a signal light, he placed the bulky coffee maker on the passenger floor of the car. At approximately 7:55 a.m., the traffic light turned yellow as Kevin approached the intersection of Reno and Meridian. Since traffic seemed to be heavier than usual this morning, Kevin slowed the car to a stop. Without thinking, his eyes glanced into the rear view mirror and experienced the first encounter with the rage of Ricky Dewayne Byron. Obviously angered that he did not speed up to "make the light", Kevin could see Ricky's frightening mouthing of words, hiss hailing of arms, coupled with his body language. Finally, after what seemed and eternity, the red light turned green, thus allowing Kevin momentary relief from the anxiety of what was only 20 feet behind him. Turning west onto Reno, Kevin drove the few blocks and steered the Jeep onto Ann Arbor. As he completed the right hand turn, his eyes darted to his rear view mirror. The blue Dynasty was closing in on him. Even though the posted speed limit on this two-lane highway industrial street is 35 miles per hour, Ricky attempted to pass Kevin, his speed approaching 50 miles per hour. Suddenly, Kevin's initiation overcame his better judgement and with his left hand, "flipped-off" Ricky. Facing a south bound, on-coming car the Dynasty, now bumper to bumper with the Jeep, sped faster to cut back into the north bound lane, but in its attempt, the Dynasty's back right bumper clipped the Jeep's left front bumper, ripping away some of its plastic under molding. Kevin now sped up further to secure Ricky's license plate number, however, by this time, he was in front of his work place and decided to forget what, thus far, resulted in juvenile and destructive behaviors. He turned west into the shop's parking lot, brought the Jeep to a halt, and reached over to collect the coffee maker and stepped from the car to check the jeeps' bumper damage. But as he walked the 40 feet to the shop's front entrance, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly saw the blue Dynasty stopped in the middle of Ann Arbor. Ricky flew open his driver's side door, his opened red coat whipping across his back as he ran to Kevin's direction. "What the hell are you doing"? Kevin stammered. Turning, almost face to face with Ricky, Kevin saw Ricky holding the gleaming steel blue 9mm semi-automatic pistol, pointing it just feet from his chest. "It's not worth it, "Kevin stammered" But Kevin's plea was overshadowed by ringing out of the firecracker - like, popping sound from the pistol. Kevin could feel two bullets strike his stomach. He felt the sting of another bullet penetrate his upper left leg. He instantly fell. As he lay on the shops black topped parking lot Ricky continued shooting. Eleven bullets, altogether. Then another burning sensation in his back. On his spine. Still another struck the underside of his right arm. What seemed like an eternity lasted 30 seconds or less. Ricky ran back to his car as Kevin half walked, half crawled to open the front door of the shop's office. Thinking Kevin was playing a joke on her, the office's receptionist laughed as Kevin slumped into the security of the shop's entrance. "Jeanette, "Kevin blurted, I've been shot." He collapsed on the floor. Even though it took only a few minutes for the ambulance to arrive, once on the scene, the two emergency medical technicians argued with Kevin, who was still alert, to which hospital they would transport him. While Kevin insisted he be taken to Hillcrest Medical Center, the EMT's told him there was a bonus for them of $150.00 if they could rush him to either Baptist Medical Center or to St. Anthony's Hospital. Finally succumbing to his wishes, the EMT's raced to Hillcrest Hospital's Emergency room where Kevin was met by Dr. Ronnie Keith and Dr. John Hughes, and where Kevin would spend the next 13 days of his life. By 11:30 that same morning, fearing any witnesses to this shooting, Ricky relinquished and turned himself into the Legal Department of television station KWTV. On the advice of his counsel, Irven Box, he waived a pre-trial hearing and pled not guilty to charges of shooting with intent to kill. According to police records, he spent approximately two hours in Oklahoma County Jail before being released on a $7,500.00 bond. Having undergone surgeries on his leg, stomach, arm and back, Kevin was released from Hillcrest Medical Center on January 29, but only to return for further surgeries in March and again in November. In the interim, he along with Debbie endured 26 follow - up doctor visits and medical bills surpassing $165,000.00. However, on April 28, 1998, and award of damages in the amount of $2.3 million was granted to Kevin and an additional $1.5 million was awarded to Debbie, to be paid by Ricky Byron, even though Ricky never personally appeared before the judge who presided over this civil suit. On July 8, 1997, Debbie assisted Kevin into the courtroom of Judge Nancy Coats to face Ricky Byron. However, by this time Irven Box, unknown to Kevin, filed on behalf of Ricky and was granted, a "continuance". Again, on August 22, 1997, another "continuance", granted by Judge Coats. September 12th, continuance, October 10th, continuance. November 11th, continuance. February 6, 1998, continuance, May 15th, continuance based on medical necessity, July 17th. Continuance, why, Kevin kept asking his attorney, was the judge allowing these continuances. According to Assistant District Attorney Sherry Todd, Ricky was undergoing a "gender reassignment". "When you make your living with your hands…when you have to support your family and home..do you any idea what it's like to shuffle into your doctor's office, holding your breath with anticipation at the news whether or not you'll have use of your right arm and hand?" Kevin quietly asked, "I've become so cynical and since Debbie is working at the Boulevard Cafeteria for $5.15 and hour, I feel inadequate, I mean my boss he's been good to me keeping me on the payroll all this time. But I live in doubt … job security … three kids with one in college. And the bills … yeah.. Debbie and I were awarded three and a half million but do you think we'; ever see a penny of THAT?" Kevin muttered as he looked down at the floor. Suddenly, anger entered his voice. "What type of judge would allow "continuances" to a man facing this type of charge? Hell, Ricky's out having s sex change operation I thought the closest place to get that done was somewhere in Colorado. How's he getting out-of-state to have THAT done to himself with felony charges against him? Answer me that! Ricky Byron, though his attorney, has requested a trail by jury. His next court date is scheduled for November 16th NEW INFO: As of 9/24/98 Mr. Ricky Dewayne Byron has legally changed his name to Stacie Michele Byron. She is seeking recognition as a woman through her religion.

The victim in this story is my Brother in-law.

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