Virginia: easy deal made by prosecutor will net David William Simmons max of 18 months for killing Pamela D. Mullins in boozing biker crash

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From The Roanoke Times

(Aug. 16, 2012) — In Botetourt County Circuit Court today, David William Simmons, 56, of Roanoke, pleaded no contest to a charge of involuntary manslaughter tied to an accident last year that killed a Roanoke woman who was a passenger on his motorcycle.
The accident occurred Aug. 27, sometime after midnight near milepost 105 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Botetourt County. Pamela D. Mullins, 41, of Roanoke was declared dead at the scene. Simmons was seriously injured.
She and Simmons had been at a bar on Orange Avenue and the two had gone for a ride on Simmons’ motorcycle when the accident occurred, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom. One blood sample taken that morning showed Simmons had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent. Under Virginia law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or above.
Judge Clifford Weckstein accepted the plea and found Simmons guilty of the charge.
He ordered a presentence investigation. Sentencing was set for Nov. 8.
The maximum sentence for the involuntary manslaughter charge is 10 years …..MORE
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