Memorial for Darcy Allan Sheppard and Bike Messengers Rally on Bloor

Another memorial gathering for Al Sheppard at 5pm, Bay and Bloor. Wednesday. Riding to Avenue Rd and Bloor for laying down of bikes and 5 minutes of silence.

I'm disappointed that the time makes it virtually impossible for anyone with a 9-5 job to make it unless they're working in the area. I'm up by Sunnybrook today so there's no way I can make it in time. I really like Anthony's suggestion in another thread to have cyclists line the sidewalks on both sides of the road - if someone decides to organize that, I hope it will be a bit later - 5:30 at the earliest.

Why a memorial for someone who obviously died trying to attack and assault an innocent driver!!! He got what he deserved.

To: Why?

No one ever deserves to die. You're a moron. A young man just died...show some damn respect.

And btw, Mr. Bryant is FAR from being an "innocent driver". Better think next time, before you type.

If it had have been the man and his wife dying from hitting a phone pole or such, the story would have read something along the lines of "man and his wife die while trying to evade a drunk crazed cyclist". I'm all for cyclists on the road but this has nothing to do with that. Accidents have happened and will happen whether it's pedestrian or cyclist with car. When it comes to some spiked colored hair dude attacking my car while I'm in there with my wife and not letting go, I'm doing whatever I have to do to get him off.

Would people see this any differently if Michael Bryant had pulled a gun and shot the cyclist, with a defence of "I didn't intend to shoot to kill, I just wanted to scare him off and maybe hurt him a little." What bothers me with the charges is that they don't capture intent. Negligence suggests carelessness whereas the actions were deliberate.

The courts will decide if Bryant acted within reason when he drove a man into a mail box and killed him. There are a lot of details that are yet to be validated, I just hope that justice is served.

The charges laid yesterday are no different from someone charged in a fatal street racing accident; I don't see this as an accident, it is, at the very least, an excessive use of force than took a life; and perhaps more simplly, it was a violent and deliberate attack on a cyclist using a car.

**** News coverage of government officials interests me as a voter because in a sense it is also a story about me. Most of the time, remote detachment pretty well describes the way I read about power or fame. For some reason, a guy riding a bicycle is dead and it has something to do one of the many who populate our judiciary. Very soon, we along with those experienced as a defendant in our judiciary will gather a sense of the integrity our police forces and courts.

From now on, stories about this tragedy will be very carefully written, because journalists know this is also about the reader – each word scrutinized. For instance, the word bicyclist in 1955 described an unfortunate at risk of being forced off the road because he couldn't afford a car. The word bicyclist now, includes meaning about physical fitness and even eco-fashion consciousness. Words have color and journalists know the game.

We know cell phones are buzzing in: Queen's Park, police cruisers and court houses as the ambitious who owe or are owed favors are working on professional strategies their smiles will immediately betray at cocktail parties.

The coming Michael Bryant stories will also be about me. The Star will cover how our institutions handled the situation. If I figure my neighbor or I would have been dealt with the same way, I will continue to be proud of the society I live in. I don't want to read stories about how Michael Bryant feels or his state of contrition and humiliation or losses he will suffer professionally when his peers paddle him. If four hours after this ends in a courtroom on a Friday he's sucking back beers on his buddy's deck in Muskoka, it confirms the notion that our media is no longer a critic but a once trusted and now privileged co-conspirator as we move another inch closer to a neo-feudal society.

without knowing the full story ie. - what was the verbal exchange between the driver and the cyclist, what was the alcohol level of the cyclist, why the cyclist was hanging on the car and would not let go (he could have simply written down the licence plate), was the cyclist on drugs, etc - too many unanswered questions to come to any conclusion. And I agree with Seymore BIkes - this is up to the court to decide once all the facts are in

Some whacked out bike courier slams into your car with his bike, then chases after you yelling obscenities, grabs onto your car trying to get in - I am doing anything to get him the off my car. The driver should have simply slammed on the brakes - that would have gotten him off real quick. This situation reminds me of Bonfire of the Vanities

This is absolutely disgusting. The Globe and Mail is, IMO, trying it's level best to discredit a dead man, and in my mind, is justifiying the murder of Mr. Sheppard as though Bryant served justice upon him.

Bike victim had a police past (Sept. 2, 2009)

snippets:

The scheme involved three steps: Steal cheques, make them out to yourself and forge a signature, go to a Money Mart and cash them.

While living in Edmonton around 2002, this was allegedly how Darcy Allan Sheppard, the cyclist killed in an accident involving former Ontario attorney-general Michael Bryant, padded his pockets. Edmonton police say Mr. Sheppard, 33, stole, forged and cashed about 17 cheques.

Six years later, two provinces away, Mr. Sheppard's next encounter with the law was something of a role reversal. What allegedly began as a minor collision between a bicycle and a convertible left the bike courier dead and Mr. Bryant facing criminal charges.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bike-victim-h...

No, you don't agree with Seymore Bikes. You're stating the opposite in your opening. I suggest your re-read the second paragraph of what Seymore was saying as it conflcits with your comment. And most of what you did state is just absurd.

Apparently, you do very little reading as evident by your series of inane questions.

Nothing disgusting about it. When you're in the news, it's standard for papers to profile you. It's not the papers fault if you have a shady background - victim or no victim, dead or alive, your history is your history.

I have tried my best not to comment on this story. I think a memorial for someone who was killed in a violent way on the streets is a fine and justified thing. I just have trouble seeing it as cyclist/driver issue, despite the fact that I am an avid cyclist, and write and read about it all the time. This is way beyond the frames of reference for any normal debate about cyclists and cars.

I can't help but see the bike and the car as incidental to a more ugly, primal conflict between two people that ended tragically. As others have said, evidence will be collected, people charged and hopefully what justice can be done will be done. A person was killed, in a horrible way that is repugnant to cyclists in particular. I get that. Making it part of the cycling advocacy debate, however, does not compute for me.

First question, why are you in a biking forum if you're here to state that you not only condone the murder of Mr. Sheppard, but state that you would do the same? Troll?

Some whacked out bike courier slams into your car with his bike, then chases after you yelling obscenities, grabs onto your car trying to get in - I am doing anything to get him the off my car.

Sharp drop in IQ there. Umm, according to stats, 90% of bike-car incidents are the fault of the car driver. I'd bet heavily that Bryant hit Sheppard. Sheppard gave chase and caught up with Bryant because, I'd bet again, that Bryant failed to remain. Police, at a press conference yesterday afternoon upon releasing Bryant from custody. NEVER stated that Sheppard tried to enter the car.

How does thi remind you of Bonfire of The Vanities? That story was about ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed. The four main characters in it were WASP bond trader Sherman McCoy, Jewish Assistant District Attorney Larry Kramer, British expatriate journalist Peter Fallow and black activist Reverend Reginald Bacon.

You know what anything you have said here reminds me of? Shit, ignorance and stupidity.

Complacency at it's finest.

Ask yourself what point is there in digging it up? What purpose does it serve? Who benefits by it?

Those are questions you'll never ponder, you goddamn sheep. The media loves brain farts like you.

If you want to have a memorial to remember a dead friend, then by all means, that's a nice thing to do. But if you want to take a situation where the cyclist appears to have been drunk, aggressive and initiated a dangerous situation, and turn that into some cyclist vs driver cause, then that's wrong. How about showing a little sympathy for Bryant - how would you like to be driving along with your wife on your wedding anniversary and suddenly come face to face with this. And now he has to deal with the after effects on his life, I feel bad for him. Maybe drivers should go have a candlelight vigil outside Bryant's home to show support. It's the same logic as cyclists turning this into a rally for their own cause. In the end, this story will probably have more to do with an altercation between individuals than any biker's rights story.

Ok. Where are these people coming from? Darcy got what he deserved? Yup, it's true. We live in a city where civility has 'left the building'. No common sense, no common courtesy and lack of civility were it's now condoned to mete out justice to the point of murder on our city streets. it's okay now. Go back to what you were doing. Murder is now okay. No matter the reason or the consequence.

So what you're saying is if Darcy had a nice 'high and tight' brush cut and didn't colour his hair, it would be ok with you for him to have tried to stop the driver after being struck the by that driver's car who tried to flee? Is that what you're saying? Sounds like from where I am.

No what, scratch that. You sound like a complete and utter moron.

For both parties. There is no telling how you would react if a crazed biker ATTACKED you in your car. He got what he deserved in my opinion. When you attack / assault someone, that can trigger a primal response where rational thought is thrown out, exactly what happened in this case. I'd like to know, was the biker on drugs/alcohol, or was he just crazy? No pity from me.

But if you want to take a situation where the cyclist appears to have been drunk, aggressive and initiated a dangerous situation, and turn that into some cyclist vs driver cause, then that's wrong.

How about backing up your accusations with fact, doofus. This is the second attempt at stating that Darcy was drunk or high. Same guy using two pseudonyms?

How about showing a little sympathy for Bryant - how would you like to be driving along with your wife on your wedding anniversary and suddenly come face to face with this.

Okay everybody. Here is what Jabalong is saying.... Note this: If it's your wedding anniversary (no other personal celebrations need apply) then it's perfecty ok to hit someone on a bicycle with your car at 9:45 at night (hmm, WHO might have been drinking now?) and attempt to flee after doing so. When the aforementioned cyclist chases after you and catches up to you to ask as to why you're fleeing after you hit them, you are now supposed to break out into a rage, shout obscenties so that workers (witnesses) in a nearby construction site hear it, drag that cyclist who is clinging onto the side of car and attempt to kill him by racing in the oncoming lanes of traffic, mount curbs, sidewalks and pummel the cyclist against light standards and other stationery objects until the lifeless body falls to the pavement. Oh, and then you're supposed to have your rear wheel run that person over as you drive away, leaving that person for dead and head for the nearest Hyatt to call 911 to let the police know that you just killed someone using your car as a weapon.

And now he has to deal with the after effects on his life, I feel bad for him.

The after effects on Bryants life? You are clearly devoid of thought. Bryant is alive. Sheppard isn't. Bryant will get to see his fmaily grow - Sheppard won't. He had two kids. Bryant will get to go on vacations, have fun, grow old. Sheppard? None of that. But we're suppsoed to think, "Oh, poor Michael. How will he ever survive this ordeal?" Idiotic! Bryant. Killed. Another. Human. Being!

Maybe drivers should go have a candlelight vigil outside Bryant's home to show support.

Clearly, you're fucked and need medical attention. I do believe that you are either drunk or high yourself.

It's the same logic as cyclists turning this into a rally for their own cause. In the end, this story will probably have more to do with an altercation between individuals than any biker's rights story.

You know what? Stop using my oxygen. Please.

Sheppard was not only a mean drunk, but had a criminal record a mile long, plus he was using marijuana, had schizophrenic episodes, and had been bitten by a zombie. If some zombie was crawling into my car to eat my wife's brains I know what I'd do. No pity from me.

Okay, troll. Knock it off.

It would be one thing if you were using the same pseudonym to leave this thread of hate, but you're using different pseudonyms and are saying the same thing over and over again that Darcy was either drunk or high and that you condone the killing of the man.

You're sick and have some deep seeded and negative issues. Please. Stop breathing my air, you useless bag of skin.

Naw man, I'm not the original poster. I'm just making a joke.

Seriously though, how many movies have some caricatured 'bad guy(s)' clinging to a car while the heroes try desperately to shake them off? Those are some juicy storytelling tropes for the legal defense to latch onto.

Well-said, Biker! It's enough with cyclists being hostile and aggressive on city streets; nobody's impressed that they are 'eco-friendly'. They're arrogant and dangerous, and need to understand that they are the vulnerable ones; I'd also like to point out that bicycle couriers only have jobs because the rest of us drive to work every day and employ them. My heart goes out to Michael Bryant and his family; this could have happened to any of us.

It is not all the same person. But as is typical, if you do not have a strong argument and disagree with a point of view, resort to personal attacks and name calling.

Well done Militant

I can assure of one thing, blocking streets and thowing bicycles down, will not cause the public to have postive reaction. Bryant was charged, what more do you need.

I understand part of what you're saying, but you should be careful not to infer that if this happened in 1995 that it would have been less of an issue because cyclists were considered second class citizens("an unfortunate at risk of being forced off the road because he couldn't afford a car"). A life was lost, and that's what matters in court, not whether one life was of more value than another.

Moving on:

If it is in fact true that Bryant intentionally made contact between Allan's bicycle and his SAAB, the fault lies with Bryant as the instigator of an incident between a cyclist, then pedestrian, and a motor vehicle.

Perhaps someone with legal background can inform us what kind of assault pushing someone with your car constitutes? Is it really criminal negligence, or is it deliberate provocation or assault?

Sorry, that should read Sheppard, not Allan.

Without tone being conveyed in blog post comments some people will think you are being serious. Please everyone, try to convey your opinions with respect for your fellow human beings.

Looks like you're condoning the killing of folks under the influence of alcohol and suffering from mental illness... welcome to Toronto. Are you a cop or something? A lawyer? A motorist... you fit the description. What's next - taser angry jet-lagged immigrants at the airport... oh sorry, that's already been done.

K-Dawg,

That's a pretty broad brush you are using to label cyclists as hostile and aggressive. Maybe you should try riding the streets of Toronto and you might see things from a cyclists perspective.

There are bad drivers, bad pedestrians and yes bad cyclists - but I would never stoop so low as to label cyclists or drivers in such a narrow minded way, it stinks of prejudice.

By the way, Bike couriers have jobs because our streets are clogged with single occupant autos; not that you were totally incorrect, just a little mixed up in your reasoning.

Sounds like the ramblings of a chrystal meth crash, just way less funny.

So Biker, the cyclist was Deserving? Guilty? Really?

I'm so impressed with your ability to accurately piece together the sequence of events from Monday night.

You would have made an excellent lynch mob organizer.

So how about a cup of Shut the Fuck Up?

My advice, let the process run its course before we assign guilt. My sense of decency does not allow me to discredit the dead without due course.

I suggest to those that go to the memorial service for Darcy Sheppard, as well as those that can't get there but feel that the Darcy Sheppard is now being victimized for who he was by people in the employ of either Michael Bryant or his supporters advocate that Michael Bryant be also charged with murder as well as the lesser charges he currently faces.

The charges faced by Michael Bryant ( claiming he is innocent in his resignation letter to David Miller) are not sufficient according to the manner in which he killed Darcy Sheppard. The police caved to political pressure and charge him with the lesser offences of criminal negligence and dangerous operation of motor vehicle both causing death. The most appropriate charge of murder was not laid.

Cyclists should not stand for this miscarriage of justice. If Michael Bryant is not charge with murder it will do disservice to Darcy and all cyclists in Toronto. I am sure Michael Bryant would agree with this had he not committed this killing. It is very sad that Sheppard died standing up for his right to ride the road. It is awful that Bryant is proclaiming innocence and paying for Sheppard to be vilified by a public relations firm.

for anyone who hasn't noticed, you are posting in a Canadian forum. The "Toronto" refers to Toronto Canada, not Toronto Ohio. And in Canada, we have laws about commenting on matters before the courts. If you say, in relation to a pending case, that "X" obviously did it and should go to jail, or that "X" obviously didn't do it and the police should release him/her with an apology, you have committed a criminal code offence.

I plan to go and mourn the death of a fellow human being and a fellow cyclist. I plan to let the courts, which have access to all of the evidence, decide who if anyone committed a culpable act in his death. I suggest that others do the same.

SA, first off, I don't think you know why a person is charged with what he is charged. Please look it up. Second, I don't think Sheppard died for his right to ride the road. From what I know, he was the one who hit the car first with his bike.

{edit: inflammatory comment removed}

leave the charges to the police and the courts, for now. Grieving will suffice, for now. Let us at least give the justice system a change to work.

I think sheppard ceased to be a cyclist when he got off his bike and latched onto bryant's car. this would not be murder but manslaughter

I'm trying to put the pieces together.

Is it possible that Sheppard "took the lane" (the right lane) at the red light at the corner of Bay and Bloor? Sounds in the description by Christy Blatchford in the Globe like Bryant honked, told him to "move it", and he didn't. So it escalated.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/in-a-city-of-...

I often take the right lane at lights. I don't like cars from way back whizzing by me to get in front when the light changes.

Just trying to piece it together.

I don't think any solid information about what sparked the incident has been officially released so at this point to talk about a) al "attacking" bryant OR b) bryant running into al in the first place is a little premature... see what the cameras turn up with, if anything...

I've got my own biases informed by my experiences as a cyclist in this city but we're not all angels (I'm most certainly not) - thing is, in our society the punishment for not being an angel isn't death and you'd think a man so well versed in the ways of the justice system would understand that. Let's just pay our respects to the dead, see what comes out in the meantime and see that whatever justice is possible is served.

A man died a horrible and meaningless death - the childish banter that has ensued is embarrassing.

PS Messengers only have jobs due to those of us who drive to work? Motherfucker, get over yourself. I make a good living working behind a computer much like a lot of the white collar schlubbs that make the world go 'round and I ride to work every day and manage not to maim or kill anyone on my way and yet I've been both maimed and nearly killed on my way to work. Fancy that.

I was walking home from work - I work at the Eaton Centre, and live at Wellesley and Yonge, and made it home just in time for the bike ride to disappear on the horizon. It really would have been appreciated if people who work until five had the opportunity to do this.

(I think the same happens with Critical Mass, but that's besides the point here)

I repeat myself from another thread:

Both parties have responsibility in this sad story but let's not lose sight of the fact that both (Mr. Bryant included) had many alternatives.

The car did not need to move and experience has demonstrated to me that even a justifiably upset cyclist (I am not saying Mr. Sheppard was justified here) who behaves aggressively towards a car soon brings criticism if not action from passers-by as well as other motorists.

Mr. Bryant is free without bail. That is understandable in that he is highly unlikely to be a flight risk but I hope that there are some restrictions on his freedom to drive at least. While it is understandable (perhaps) that he attempted to flee in his car away from potential danger, the message of ENFORCEMENT needs to be strong in this case.

Lives are at risk.

I have agreed with some of your opinions (about enforcement) but this one about "dead or alive, your history is your history" is nonsence.

How much mention has there been of the Chappaquidick incident since Ted Kennedy died? None that I have heard and that is not really inappropriate. But dredging up shady dealings from a deceased persons past (particularly one who has died as the result of a community 'leaders' actions), is singularly gauche. Shame on you and the G&M.

My tasteless joke about the media's character assassination and dehumanization of Al Sheppard obviously flopped. I apologize to everyone for my crassness, except to zombies.

As i've heard:

Witness accounts report Bryant honked his horn and told Darcy to "hurry up".

Bryant then edged his car and bumped into the back of Darcy's bicycle.

Darcy then tossed his bag on Bryant's hood and walked over to the side of Bryant's car.

The confrontation continued and ended up with Darcy somehow being dragged to his death

Bryant's passenger called 911 from her phone afterwards.

Bryant should be hailed as a hero for removing bad check writing scum from this earth.

barf

That whole character assassination piece was placed right beside Bryant's "rising star tarnished" piece which can find no flaw in his character and listed Bryant's virtuous qualities.

They didn't add to the list that he killed a man for holding up his trip to the hotel with his ex-girlfriend.

The reason such garbage is published is because people like you lick it up so you'll have something to gossip about at the water-cooler.

The fact you find it normal for people to peer through strangers personal lives and make judgments just informs us of your own personal character.

I don't see people recognizing or acknowledging what a weapon a car can be. Sure, I understand that Al was possibly irate and very scary at that point - which would deter anyone from wanting to get out of their car and get in an altercation.
But a car vs. a single man on a bicycle is equivalent to shaking a crying baby or toddler. To stabbing someone 17 times versus once to get away. How many tonnes of steal make up a car? I'm not sure but I know my bike only weights 20-something pounds. In every situation you have options.

I have a friend who is a courier and he's told me, especially in that particular neighbourhood people have tried to curb him many times - squeeze him out of the way, in ways that can only be interpreted as deliberate. Does the driver think beyond feeling annoyed in that situation to think through what the consequences of that would be? you would most likely fall in the middle of traffic. AND DIE. I can only call that murder.

I agree with you - what happened was involuntary manslaughter: a willful disregard for life. It was not just negligence.

Bryant is sure to take advantage of Darcy's silence by hiring a bunch of worm tongued PR liars to help him "smooth over" everything.

No surprise there, Bryant will sit back, shutup and let his Lawyers and PR people handle this while he drinks beers at his buddy's place in Muskoka, I wonder if TPS even bothered to take his license away.

yeah - thats what couriers do - they just randomly slam in to cars and try to attack drivers. Couriers bike for a living - they know how to ride in ridiculously unclear bike/car boundaries -especially in Toronto. I'm pretty sure that it would actually take a lot for a courier to get that crazy at a driver, even if he was an angry dude - because they put up with little frustrating driver ignorance all day. - Having his lively hood: his ride smashed up by someone who probably didn't even check to see if he was coming when they pulled out into the road and then just try to drive off would probably evoke some rage in most people. I don't know if thats exactly what happened anymore than your fictional construction.
I don't ride for a living but bike pretty much everyday and I am close to being doored or hit by someone who doesn't check before pulling out at least once every time I ride on a city street.

Always remember that Bryant hired Navigator Ltd. to handle his public relations. Among their services are leverage on sympathetic newspaper columnists, etc. They charge a lot of money.

Bikophobe,
You think I'm going to need my 'courage' as a result of a reasonably benign statement I made about this situation? Come on now. What are we? Six?

I'm a big boy and am more than capable of handling what the dark lord saw fit to bestow upon me - I'm not hard to find, I ain't never scurred.

Sincerely,
Thunder & Lightning.

Man, you guys are so irate you're not thinking straight. My point was simply that when people are involved in a story that becomes news, one of the first questions in journalism, and rightly so, is to find out who are these people. That's just one of the ways these are researched. Before you can see what's relevant and what's not, you research the whole person to investigate. That's basic journalism. And inevitably these bios get printed, often as side pieces. Now how this information is used is something you definitely can debate. Personally, I could care less about this cyclist's childhood, problems out West, or whatever. However, the fact that he was apparently an alcoholic who fell off the wagon, got drunk, got upset at his ex-girlfriend's place, resulting in police having to be called and sending him away - well those bits clearly would be relevant and aren't gossip. As for this being a working class versus white collar thing, that's all nonsense and people here spouting are sheep in their own way for parroting it. If the cyclist Sheppard had been driving and had an altercation with say Bryant out for a walk, that resulted in Bryant getting angry, walking around and hanging on to the side of the car in a threatening manner, then I'd be just as quick to condemn Bryant. To my mind this isn't about class, it isn't about cyclist vs driver, it is about two individuals getting into an altercation and how they each chose to respond to it. And people quickly jumping to the cyclist's defence in tirades against Bryant as a driver, a white-collar worker or whatever, or wrong-headed and should try to look at things a bit more objectively.

And one more thing. There are are a lot of presumably cyclists on this board making assumptions about people they don't agree with, dismissing them as ignorant drivers that just wouldn't understand. This is ignorance in itself. Most drivers probably have been cyclists at one point in their life and many still would be. I for one was an avid cyclists well into my college years and have spent many times driving in downtown, busy conditions and over long city distances, so I can be completely sympathetic with the concerns of cyclists. What I can't condone those is irate, aggressive, threatening and/or violent behaviour. Call me a pacifist, but to my mind these behaviours only lead to things spiralling out of control and to sad endings. And it seems that there is enough reasonable doubt in this instance that the cyclist either initiated or dangerously escalated the aggressiveness in this situation and if so therefore must bear his share of the blame for the outcome. Now the facts will be judged in court, but at this point I think people should at least be giving as much benefit of the doubt to the driver and not be absolving the cyclist as if he's some innocent, when he actually may have been the instigator. Objectivity requires all people to try be objective, whether they are cyclists, drivers or both.

the courts will work out what happened, and we should let them.

But a lot of the comments of Mr. Sheppard boil down to smears for which we have, as yet, no significant evidence. The courts will get full reports on Mr. Sheppard's blood alcohol concentration and any other relevant toxicological data. At that point, the =Crown and the police will use the information they have to decide if they can sustain the charges against Mr. Bryant. We will learn their decision soon enough. In the meantime, I make no apology for mourning another person who has gone down on Toronto's bloody streets.

Both parties have responsibility in this sad story but let's not lose sight of the fact that both (Mr. Bryant included) had many alternatives.

Absolutey, he did. Especially as former Attorney General for Onatario, he damned well should have knwon better. He set laws that we must all abide by. If "safety" was his prime concern, where was that concern for his wife (the pasenger) when he went off on his tear down the oncoming lanes of Bloor St.?

The car did not need to move and experience has demonstrated to me that even a justifiably upset cyclist (I am not saying Mr. Sheppard was justified here) who behaves aggressively towards a car soon brings criticism if not action from passers-by as well as other motorists.

It's that sick love of an inanimate object that is the car and that is the North American experience. Started in the US, we've followed suit.

Mr. Bryant is free without bail.

THAT would NOT be happening if it were you or I that did this.

That is understandable in that he is highly unlikely to be a flight risk but I hope that there are some restrictions on his freedom to drive at least.

There were conditions set for his release, but the police, at Tuesday's press conference, did not say what those "conditions" were.

While it is understandable (perhaps) that he attempted to flee in his car away from potential danger, the message of ENFORCEMENT needs to be strong in this case.

Especially considering who it is. Bryant was supposed to lead by example. If there were the potential for harm, and Bryant felt that there was, his wife (the passenger) should have been immediately calling 911 as she is now known to have a cell phone in her possession that night. OR, Bryant should have shut down the vehicle, left it and the two of them could have entered (ran to) one of the many shops, hotels or restaurants that are in the area and were still open at 10 at Bay and Bloor. They could have gone inside, phoned police or asked police to be called and then await their assistance. We know what Bryant did instead.

Lives are at risk.

And hot-head Bryant is still out there.

I'd really like to know where Bryant and his wife were coming from (and going to) that night.

I've heard, and haven't been able to confirm, that they were coming from a dinner party. What made Bryant so aggressive? Had HE been drinking? Has Bryant that attitude that he can do whatever he wants as he's 'above the law' as an elite, and even if he were caught, the charges of drinking and driving would not be pressed anyway? Has he done it before? We'll never know.

What I find funny (and suspicious) is how quickly the police discredit any notion that Bryant had been drinking Monnday night. While on Wednesday, the media spin was all about Darcy's checkered past meant to discredit him and garner support and sympathy for Bryant. Citing that, the timing was also curiously suspicious at how quickly, that same day, that Bryant was claiming his "innoncence" in the matter.

Amazing what a team of 'Micheal Claytons' and a 'communication firm' hired by Bryant's lawyer can do. Spin, spin, spin. And I don't mean of bike tires either.

****Hi there, does anyone have any photos of him up close at all? I worked in the downtown core for a long time receving parcels, and if it is who I think it is there was not a mean bone in his body he was kind and gental and maybe a little emotionally unsettled from all the hardship in his life but not someone who would attack someone else.

GENTLE not GENTAL..... its too early lol

Ok I got to see a couple of distant ones from the photo gallery its not who i was thinking but i've seen him before n he seemed extremely nice.
Its sad that anyone has to die for no reason like that. I send wishes out to his family.

*Hi there, does anyone have any photos of him up close at all? *

There are a couple of him in this forum (scroll down half the page to see them).

http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=258

I was at the memorial. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, I was only able to show up at 6:00 PM. Then I had to leave at about 6:20 to go to City Hall for the Ward 20 Bicycle Meeting. Almost half the people at the meeting had come straight from the memorial.

What I saw was a quiet and respectful gathering on the south side of Bloor Street, east of University Avenue. There were several hundred people there.

To add....

He did have a Facebook account under his full name Darcy Allen Sheppard. Link below:

http://tiny.cc/Y2ITF

Also on Facebook, there is now a memorial page that has been set up that, currently, has 467 members. Link below:

http://tinyurl.com/nb255d

Maybe those of us who walk to work every day should go out and hold a protest against cyclists who cut us off on the sidewalk every morning.

Seriously, blocking traffic isn't going to win you any sympathy. It just pisses people off and makes them more inclined to want to run you off the road.

Finally, we should wait until we hear all the details in court before we find Mr. Bryant guilty. I'm not sure why you're making a martyr out of Darcy Sheppard. Sixty-one outstanding arrest warrants for crimes of theft and dishonesty. Causing a drunken scene at his girlfriend's house. Seems like he was looking for trouble that night. He definitely didn't deserve to die, but part of that is his responsibility. The only bright side is that we have one less thief in this world. I have no use for crooks.

I have been trying to make sense of this for days.How many aggressive squeegee kids or panners have you tried to evade - on bike or in a car? This is a way more volatile situation

Just to be really clear, ask yourself what you would do if you were in a car with your family and someone tried to get in it or stop you? Pretend for a moment that it was not a fellow cyclist, but an asian gang of carjackers, or a bunch of black teenagers, or ,drugged up skinheads...whatever... (insert stereotype here) If you thought your life was in danger would you leave or stick around to call the police? Now imagine if that car was a convertible.

Before anyone continues to criticizes either party just ask yourself that simple question: What would I do if someone attacked my family while i was driving? And while you were trying to get away the attacker held onto your car uttering death threats or had a weapon... if he died while you were trying to getaway you could be charged with his death. I am not saying that is exactly what happened, but I think it important to look at this with some sense of the situation - not the people, because both are easy targets.

I try to put myself ( a bike owner not a car owner) in that position and I think that last thing I would have done is stop to try to talk to a clearly upset, irrational man or make a call to police while my wife is openly exposed. This isn't about these two men - for whom I have such sympathy . This is about looking at the situation with some reality. And this is NOT about drivers and cyclists and that whole debate. This is about two people who made difficult decisions that can only be viewed as tragic and poor after-the-fact

In the security footage I've seen, it looks like Sheppard was coming up the left of Bryant's car, which is in the left lane. Bryant hits the gas and the brake and blocks Sheppards way with the nose of the car; no collision, Sheppard veers around and stops in front.

The collision is when Bryant tries to boot away and Al blocks the car with his bike (knocking off the chain).

I have been trying to make sense of this for days.How many aggressive squeegee kids or panners have you tried to evade - on bike or in a car? This is a way more volatile situation

Hardly the same thing - bryant hit his bike...that's more like you running over the squeegee kid's dog and trying to drive off.

If you thought your life was in danger would you leave or stick around to call the police?

The operative word here is "leave" - not kill the "attacker". As for the family comment - Sheppard approached the car from the driver's side - he would have had virtually no access to bryant's wife...

I try to put myself ( a bike owner not a car owner) in that position and I think that last thing I would have done is stop to try to talk to a clearly upset, irrational man or make a call to police while my wife is openly exposed.

First off - the car was already stationary so it's not a matter of his stopping - it's a matter of him taking advantage of safety and size advantage afforded to him by his car to completely disregard the valid concerns and the safety of the cyclist had AND evade justice....and as I previously mentioned, all evidence points to the fact that his precious wife was in no immediate danger...

This isn't about these two men - for whom I have such sympathy . This is about looking at the situation with some reality.

How can you possibly present your analysis as rational after that opening? and how can you sympathize with a killer? Oh, no doubt he shit his pants both when he was approached and when he saw what he did - but he's not a child or some frightened small animal - he pretends to be a grown man - that implies a certain amount of self-restraint and rationality

Maybe those of us who walk to work every day should go out and hold a protest against cyclists who cut us off on the sidewalk every morning.

What a meritless case. Have bikes dragged anyone down that sidewalk, pummelling them into stationery objects and then leaving them for dead, then while riding away, run over that person with the rear wheel?

Seriously, blocking traffic isn't going to win you any sympathy. It just pisses people off and makes them more inclined to want to run you off the road.

No. That's YOU that YOU are describing. Sane and rational people don't make such assertions.

Finally, we should wait until we hear all the details in court before we find Mr. Bryant guilty.

We have heard them. From witnesses that were there that night. Pedestrians, construction workers and other drivers. Bryant actions were those of a crazy person.

I'm not sure why you're making a martyr out of Darcy Sheppard. Sixty-one outstanding arrest warrants for crimes of theft and dishonesty. Causing a drunken scene at his girlfriend's house.

I see you have been reading the media spin. It's working on you. Bryant's communication firm is doing a good job I see. You're the target audience. You now have sympathy for Bryant and are now supporting him while, at the same time, you loathe Darcy. How's it feel to be a sheep?

Seems like he was looking for trouble that night.

In your mind's eye. You've already passed judgment on Sheppard, but we're all to await the evidence before passing judgment on Bryant. Contradicting yourself, are you? Methinks that you are.

He definitely didn't deserve to die, but part of that is his responsibility.

So you're saying that Sheppard expected to die and should have. Becasue that is what you're saying.

The only bright side is that we have one less thief in this world. I have no use for crooks.

I have no use for thieves either. But first you must be tried and convicted of being one before you can be lablled as such. If you were to know anything, know this, Darcy was never tried and convicted of the 56 criminal warrants for an ALLEGED cheque fraud scheme back in 2002.

Ignorance is bliss. But keep hobbling along, Lenny.

Sorry, your fears are unfounded and artificial, as were Bryant's.

We'll hear all about it in court but in reality there really is no such person(s) you describe as: "an asian gang of carjackers, or a bunch of black teenagers, or ,drugged up skinheads...whatever... (insert stereotype here)". You watch too much TV.

Unless your spouse is runnin' guns and keeping it from you. You're not in danger inside your car from the pedestrians and cyclists that lurk outside your window.

We are talking about a man named Al Sheppard here, a fellow Torontonian. Simply: a cyclist with a temper. Bryant's the one with the bullets.

As an everyday cyclist, I am accosted every day by "panhandlers", and yes some of them very scary. But really... not really. They're actually pretty nice, even the crooks. Just down on their luck.

The black SAAB presbyterian PR force is out, and gaining momentum. Chances are they'll win this battle of public opinion thing.

Simply because: dead men can't speak.

Bang on, Spenny, bang on.

For those who think that Darcy was at fault, the camera doesn't lie!

DEATH ON BLOOR: BRYANT ENTERS A WORLD BEYOND POLITICAL SPIN (Sept. 3, 2009)

Around 9:45 p.m., security camera footage shows Mr. Sheppard on his bike, pulling up around the driver's side of Mr. Bryant's car on Bloor Street, just east of Avenue Road in front of United Colors of Benetton. The strip of Bloor Street was under construction that night, leaving only one lane in each direction.

Darcy was pulling around on the left to get in front of Bryant's car. Innocent enough.

Mr. Sheppard gestured at the car and got off his bike when THE CAR STRUCK ITS BACK TIRE.

Bryant's aggressive action. NOT Darcy's. This also backs up witness claims that Bryant yelled at Darcy to "hurry up". Bryant's entertainment lawyer wife was aslo with Bryant as the two were out for dinner celebrating their 12th anniversary. Had Bryant been drinking? I'd bet that he certainly had been. But, we'll never be told that.

Witness Raajiv Rajadurai, 23, said the accident didn't look serious, but the cyclist seemed agitated. He saw the cyclist slam his backpack onto the car's hood and then grab the driver's side mirror as the vehicle sped away. The convertible's top was down.

An argument obviously ensued and Bryant tried to flee. Darcy wanted restitution for the damage. Bryant wanted no part of it.

"The driver was going so fast that at one point the biker was holding on to his car and there were sparks coming from the bottom of his shoes," Mr. Rajadurai said, adding Mr. Sheppard wasn't wearing a helmet.

"It seemed like the driver was trying to shake him off because he turned really suddenly, put on the brakes, jetted it one last time and then all your hear is three thumps and then the guy falls on the floor."

The car headed west in the lone eastbound lane, leaving Mr. Sheppard hanging off the driver's side and prone to the poles and trees lining the road as the Saab mounted the curb, witnesses said.

"You could hear hitting, something, bam, bam, bam," one worker said.

Yeah, Darcy's head and/or body

The car continued on, stopping metres away at the Park Hyatt hotel at 4 Avenue Rd. Mr. Bryant and Ms. Abramovitch were inside the car and both called police, sources say. Mr. Bryant was arrested at the hotel, where his car sat under police watch until it was towed away at 5:20 a.m. Police said Mr. Bryant had not been drinking.

Bullshit.

Mr. Sheppard, meanwhile, was bleeding from his mouth and ears, and from several gashes across his face. The workers say he came to briefly, tried to stand up, but was told by paramedics to lie down. He was later taken to St. Michael's Hospital and pronounced dead around 11 p.m.

Full Article:

http://tinyurl.com/mevvst

Found this comment....pretty cool....

I attended the Sept.2nd ride in memory of Al Sheppard. There were many hundreds of participants from ALL walks of life, not "dozens". Yes, there were many bicycle couriers in the ride, but there were also bicycle-commuting businessmen in pinstriped suits, mothers with their children, teenagers, grey-haired men and women. The riders represented the diaspora of Toronto'ss cycling community: citizens of ALL AGES brought together by their chosen mode of transport -- the bicycle. The participants attended in memory of Al, to express their shock at the tragic and senseless manner in which he died, and to display their justified concern about the abysmal lack of safe, dedicated bike lanes on Toronto's main thoroughfares. There were approx. 300 people already waiting at Bay and Bloor at the start of the ride at 5pm. This group, of which I was a member, joined a second group as it travelled eastward along Bloor from the accident site. The cyclists then travelled south on Yonge. By the time I reached Dundas, there were cyclists AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE both behind me and in front of me. The ride continued west on Queen, north on University, finally arriving back at the site of the accident on Bloor. It was a solemn, respectful tribute, with one cyclist providing moving musical accompaniment on his trumpet. I'm 48 years old and travelled in from Etobicoke, where 4- and 6-lane suburban arterial roads (with no bike lanes) often see motor vehicles travelling well in excess of the posted speed limits. That, combined with curbside potholes and crumbling asphalt, make road conditions for cyclists extremely unsafe across this city. It's time for City Hall to address the urgent need for protected bike lanes, starting with the city's main east-west thoroughfare: Bloor/Danforth.

Then there are the usual "suspects" who ignorantly spew.....

I can't believe that the city allows this demonstration to take place. It's not going to bring back this man's life- move on already and remember to cycle on the streets of Toronto safely. These streets weren't designed for both cars and bikes, as we already know. Stop protesting about things that can't reverse, move on to making the streets more accessible by all that travel.

There is a subway that runs directly underneath Bloor if you need to sit on your ass and do nothing and need to move about. Some of these people should spend time in Europe and see how things work there with bikes and cars. Sometimes there are no cars. Only bikes. It would make them mental. Ahh, but they've fallen into the American pit of despair where the car is concerned. Shame.

Anyway, the above comments were found here:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/09/02/toronto-c...

Thought you promised not to respond anymore and to get off this site.

Read the papers, check the witness. No alcohol on Bryant (interviewed the waitresses and bills)and another witness says Darcy had the steering wheel which explains why Bryant would risk his life.....

Picking only the statements you want, does not make your position stronger.

It just shows your bias

Where was Jesus? How come he didn't grab the wheel?

Mr. Militant. I hope this is not lost on you.

You come on this Board stating that Bryant is a murderer and should be in jail and how can he be out without bail, and what a criminal he is.

Then you have the hypocricy when it comes to your pal to state:

I have no use for thieves either. But first you must be tried and convicted of being one before you can be lablled as such. If you were to know anything, know this, Darcy was never tried and convicted of the 56 criminal warrants for an ALLEGED cheque fraud scheme back in 2002.

Funny double standard,

How is something that happened in 2002 even relevant?

It's only relevant if you're trying to portray Sheppard in a negative light. This would presumably be done to decrease sympathy to the point where Bryant has more sympathy with the public. Bringing up anything not directly relevant to the situation that happened that night is spin, i.e. PR.

Thought you promised not to respond anymore and to get off this site.

You're wrongfully misquoting me. And if that's what you think, glad to disappoint you.

Read the papers, check the witness.

I have, and have posted them in this comments section. I suggest you follow your own advice.

No alcohol on Bryant (interviewed the waitresses and bills)

The concern isn't whether it's ON Bryant, the concern is if it's IN Bryant. Spilling his drinks doesn't concern me. How do you interview a bill? Anyway, yes I saw the story about their storybook "date" on Monday night. Here:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/690321

and another witness says Darcy had the steering wheel which explains why Bryant would risk his life.....

And the life of his wife? Seems selfish. No one, not even the police are stating that Darcy grabbed the wheel of the vehicle in question. You're speculating and trying to make more suitable, a story position that would best suit yourself.

Picking only the statements you want, does not make your position stronger.

I'm highlighting those items that people such as yourself seem to keep getting wrong. Such as your 'grabbing of the steering wheel' nonsense. As I have already stated many times, the police themselves did NOT state that any part of Darcy's body entered Bryant's car at the press conference Tuesday afternoon and the security camera video shows the same. The only thing Darcy did grab was the side mirror when Bryant took off. If you feel that I'm only "picking statements" for my own purpose, then why do I post links to the whole article?

BTW, there is only one "account" of your steering wheel grabbing story, and just like what you're doing, it's based upon speculation. Funny that it's only appearing in the Edmonton Sun. Want to know what that one line said? Here it is: Some witnesses say they saw Sheppard try to grab the steering wheel or grab Bryant. If you're paying attention, the key word is 'OR'. Meaning they don't know or they're not sure. But you seem to be.

Here's the link:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2009/09/03/107292...

To be fair, I just found another that states:

Toronto police are investigating whether a cyclist killed in an altercation with a car driven by former Ontario attorney general Michael Bryant grabbed the driver or the steering wheel.

Police have seized a number of video surveillance tapes from the stretch of Bloor Street where the confrontation occurred and are examining them frame-by-frame to confirm the accuracy of witness accounts that have suggested the cyclist may have been trying to get Bryant into a headlock and that the two may have been wrestling for control of the wheel.

"We're looking at avenues from the point of reaching into the vehicle pointing at the person, reaching in to maybe unlock the door, hanging on, standing there. We're looking at all those angles," Toronto Const. Hugh Smith told CBC News.

So no one know for sure, is my point. But you seem to be so sure that Darcy grabbed the wheel.

Full article here:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/09/02/toronto-...

Tell you what, I'd be trying to grab the damn wheel to if I were hanging onto the side of a speeding car and it meant my neck. I'd hope that the erratic movement would force the driver to stop. I know, it's tough for you to think that far ahead.

It just shows your bias.

Looks who's talking? What are you backing up your vitriolic diatribes with besides prejudice?

It's apparent you're another that the lamestream media and Bryant's PR firm are working wonders on. And if you possessed half a brain, you'd realize this isn't about taking sides and is clearly about a man who should have known better and shouldn't have taken matters into his own hands by using his car as a weapon against another.

If you disagree with our views around here, perhaps you should find another forum that will support your need to vilify Darcy. You won't find that here or from me.

Obnoxious bicyclists - squeegee guys - freaked out motorists This is what city living is - the everyday grist sitcom writers twist into laughter - but I can't remember a Seinfeld episode ending in waves of warm laughter rolling over applause as Jerry's Saab drags some guy to his death. Let's try and separate the issues.

It comes down to the moment when the situation went from everyday aggravation event we've all encountered like - who bumped who - who yelled at who – your mother wears combat boots..... No matter who did what or said what - we've all had these situations and the moment is suppose to end with some yelling and a paint scratch - a court appearance and fine for either Michael Bryant or D'Arcy Sheppard. Between that moment and the ambulance arrival is where it gets big. There are hundreds of people including officials on the phone right now trying to steer the outcome. Who are these people and how will their interference affect the outcome?

You come on this Board stating that Bryant is a murderer and should be in jail and how can he be out without bail, and what a criminal he is.

Everything is true except the part that he should be in jail. Never said that. But, now that you bring it up, I find it amazing that he isn't. No bail hearing. No bail set. Just released. 15 hours after killing a man. Amazing.

Then you have the hypocricy when it comes to your pal to state:

I have no use for thieves either. But first you must be tried and convicted of being one before you can be lablled as such. If you were to know anything, know this, Darcy was never tried and convicted of the 56 criminal warrants for an ALLEGED cheque fraud scheme back in 2002.

Funny double standard,

Yup, It is lost on me. Explain the double standard and the hypocricy. I also want to know how/what Bryant did is the SAME as writing bad cheques. Can't wait to read that.

But first you must be tried and convicted

A lot of "not verified" posts to this site in these threads having to do with the death of Darcy Sheppard.

This is another:

A charge of murder must be laid against Michael Bryant for a court to consider. It will be that court's duty to determine guilt or innocence. But the charge must be laid. I urge those closest to Darcy Sheppard to convey this to the crown.

For any who express doubts about laying a charge of murder, please read the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Exactly, Ben. You're absolutely right.

People never see the word ALLEGED and the time frame from then to now and see that it is irrelevant. It's shocking to read that some people are feeling that it is okay for Darcy to have died because he (ALLEGEDLY - not convicted of writing) bad cheques.

People only see what they want see. And it is what the media spin and Bryant's PR firm are all about and are feeding on. It is also why the media are stating that Sheppard MAY have been drinking that night as though that has any bearing.

"He was drunk. He was being an asshole. Let's kill him." Sounds insane doesn't it? Yet that's becoming the underlying tone as the media pulls the attention away from Bryant and reflects only on Sheppard and his past, as well as his 'state of mind'. Since when did the media become mind readers?

Again, the word is MAY. We won't know until toxicology reports are made public. Then again, is it enough reason to kill a man? If Darcy were intoxicated and being belligerent (which I doubt), that is still no reason to drag him down the street to his death and then run over him upon leaving that scene of his death.

I trust nothing from the media that are now the lapdog of Bryant's powerful PR firm. Even the once liberal Toronto Star is opening articles with such phrases as "political rising star".

Excuse me, but when did we start loving politicians? Aren't these the same people who shun the public, vote themselves ridiculous pay raises by percentages not seen in the private sector and book $50,000 weekend junkets to Banff for 10 people and end going skiing?

HUH?! Thanks for the empty spaces above and below....whatever that was you were trying to say. You still haven't answered the question.

So many trolls so little time... oh, all that hate for Toronto cyclists. Pathetic. Shameful. Sad.

Exactly!

Now address the rest of my response. I'm still waiting on the double standard/hypocrisy thing and how Bryant's actions are the same as allegedly writing bad cheques.

Let's see.....hmm....murder....allegedly writing bad cheques....murder....allegedly writing bad cheques....

Nope not seeing it.

*first you must be tried and convicted of being one before you can be lablled *

Does Bryant not get the same treatment, or are you holding him to a different standard.

(Did I really need to set that out for you, really)

A charge of murder must be laid against Michael Bryant for a court to consider.

Yes!

It will be that court's duty to determine guilt or innocence.

Absolutely. But I'm still comfortable calling Bryant a murderer even though he has been convicted as such. And he's getting away with it.

CEASED to be a bicyclist as soon as he left his bike, what is there not to understand about that? He was also an alcoholic, should all alcoholics take up his cause? He became a pedestrian when he left his car. If someone attacked me in my car, I have every right to defend myself if I feel threatened.

This guy had 61 outstanding arrest warrants. The moment he left his bike and began assaulting someone else, he became a PETTY THUG. Did he deserve to die? No. But when you attack someone, you should be aware of the consequences.

Drinking and driving is illegal, why should drinking and cycling be any different? If this guy was sober, he'd prolly still be alive. Unfortunately, he lacked common sense and was/is a criminal. ****

Its not hate for cyclists. Darcy ceased being a cyclist when he left his bike and started assaulting another human. Its hate for criminals like Darcy. He should have had a chance to be tried in court, unfortunately he pushed someone over the limit. Guess he won't have another chance to commit fraud, what a pity.

Please. Don't flatter yourself. You have to set out nothing for me. You offer nothing anyway. You still haven't addressed the hypocrisy/double standard issue yet.

Does Bryant not get the same treatment,

Nope. We all know what he did. You are in denial of it. And what Bryant did is in no way, shape or form, similar to writing cheques to yourself and cashing them as what Mr. Sheppard was accused of SEVEN years ago.

or are you holding him to a different standard

Yes. Especially as someone who used to set policy and law in this province as former AG. His policies and laws that were passed are what we must all abide by today. His feet should be held closer to the flame as one who did set policy and pass those laws. He was supposed to be the example. Instead, he left a dying man on the side of the road after dragging that man down that road with his car.

He could have stopped. He didn't need to start either. He could have yelled for help (top was down - construction workers were nearby - his wife was sitting next to him, she could have called 911). Exit the car and go for help. Anything but what Bryant did that night. And what he did that night was deadly wrong! Plain and simple.

So tell me why this isn't sinking in? Who are you, one of Bryant's campaign cronies? A PR plant? What's your motive? Clearly you're here to defame Sheppard and cyclists in general.

Now go dust your signed 8x10 of Bryant.

You are a troll.

Jesus grab the brakes?

Mr. Militant.

You are quite entertaining. You sit there and say I am 2 seperate people. Then say watch he will deny it Is it surpising that people do not agree with you. No PR.

If you run after someone and jump onto a moving car, is it not foreseeable you could get seriously hurt. Add alcohol to the mix and it impacts his judgement and temperment.

It is his girlfriend who is the one telling the media he was too drunk to ride.

How can that not be obvious to you. If you run into traffic, do we blame the car for hitting you and not stopping.

How is this DON"T JUMP ONTO THE SIDE OF A MOVING CAR, no matter the reason. YOU MAY GET KILLED

What is entertaining is your rants and internal inconsistency.

one of your more recent statements:

"you'd realize this isn't about taking sides and is clearly about a man who should have known better and shouldn't have taken matters into his own hands by...." .....running after and jumping on a moving car threatening the driver.

(How's that for a conclusion to your very same principle

Truly entertaining to see this side of the spin. Oh no wait, it is the system that is against you.

Good luck with that attitude. How far has it gotten you now.

Nope. We all know what he did. You are in denial of it. And what Bryant did is in no way, shape or form, similar to writing cheques to yourself and cashing them as what Mr. Sheppard was accused of SEVEN years ago.

Erm...I hate to say it, but the two things are not entirely unlike as far as the legal system is concerned - they are both illegal...
That of course does not change the fact that Sheppard's criminal (mind you, not violently criminal) behaviour (irrespective of how long ago) has nothing to do with Bryant's criminal behaviour.

Yes. Especially as someone who used to set policy and law in this province as former AG. His policies and laws that were passed are what we must all abide by today. His feet should be held closer to the flame as one who did set policy and pass those laws.

You are confused - in a democracy all citizens must be equal before the law...The issue is that "the law" is clearly going easy on Bryant.

He was supposed to be the example.

He was paid to make laws, not be anyone's rolemodel (that would have been a nice bonus though)

What he did that night was deadly wrong! Plain and simple.

Agreed. He should be changed with murder - as any average joe would have been had he been in bryant's place.

If you run into traffic, do we blame the car for hitting you and not stopping.
Actually, there was a case like that a few years bac k - guess what? the man got 1 year in jail.

How is this DON"T JUMP ONTO THE SIDE OF A MOVING CAR, no matter the reason. YOU MAY GET KILLED

How's this: don't cycle, walk, or drive - you may get killed.
Both are equally valid warnings. But the devil is really in the details - which you don't seem to care to know.

"you'd realize this isn't about taking sides and is clearly about a man who should have known better and shouldn't have taken matters into his own hands by...." .....running after and jumping on a moving car threatening the driver.

How about the fact that the dirver just broke the "tool" Sheppard made his living with? If Sheppard had left it up to the police (even if Bryant didn't have connections) it would have taken ages for him to get the money for his damaged bike back. It is only natural for him to have assumed that Bryant would stop and pay up (they way he shoudl have done in the first place) when it become clear that the only way he could get away would be over Sheppard's dead body....

Sheppard may have endangered himself, but he was left with little choice and it was Bryant who pulled the trigger. I have no idea how that man could have passed any ethics exam...

I think it is ridiculous to speculate about what exactly happened, as the investigation is still far from over. Be patient and let the process run its course.

I saw the video where the car bumps the back of the bike AND the picture of the bike with the chain off AND know the bike messenger got upset.

I feel comfortable connecting the dots, you go right ahead and wait for some cop to tell you what happened.

where did you see it, please

Those facts DO NOT INCLUDE
- the deceased's lifestyle, childhood, career choices nor what (non-criminal) activities he may have engaged in earlier in the evening. What Bryant did (for example whaether or not he had been arguing with his spouse) earlier in the evening is also moot. There is little mention of what kind of evening Bryant was having. That is as appropriate for Bryant as it is for Sheppard.

Those facts DO INCLUDE
- who controlled the forward movement of the car and
- one person is dead as a result of the forward movement of that car

There can be no doubt that Mr. Sheppard has borne more than 'his share of (responsibility) for the outcome'.

The video was on CBC's "The National" last nigth, the picture of the bike is widely circulated, and it's a well-known fact that the guy got upset.

Man reacted too violently. Guy didn't deserve to die. CLEAR f'in kut!

PHree tibet!

*turns on reggae music

Sorry Anna, but you are fabricating that the video shows Bryant as an aggressor and the chain falling off. I just watched the National report on the CBC.CA, and there is no video that shows what you want.

Face it, even if a driver hits your bike, you cannot run after a convertible car, jump on the side and hang on and suggest it is safe.

It is reasonably foreseeable that to run down a car, after bing so drunk that your girlfirend is interviewed on tv, stating she was concerned for his safety, that you may get killed.

The author of his death, sadly, was him for running after and jumping on a car.

Again, many are saying Bryant should have not fled and that is what forced him to jump on the car. Nothing justifies it and he took a stupid risk, while drunk and angry, and died.

Sad, but his own doing. Definately not murder.

If Bryant wanted to know him off the car, he would have just driven straight into the construction zone rather than swerve across teh lanes of traffic.

Out of anger, as upsetting to his friends and loved ones at it is, he did a very stupid thing and it cost him his life.

Sorry Anna, but you are fabricating that the video shows Bryant as an aggressor and the chain falling off. I just watched the National report on the CBC.CA, and there is no video that shows what you want.

Want? ROFL. I don't want anything. Bryant's behaviour is still inexcusable regardless of what precipitated the verbal altercation. The video just makes the story complete, motivates Sheppard's actions and further exonerates him...and the online version of the broadcast does have the video at around the 2/3 minute(granted, the resolution is too low to distinguish anything, unlike the live broadcast in which the car hitting the bike was pretty clear)

Face it, even if a driver hits your bike, you cannot run after a convertible car, jump on the side and hang on and suggest it is safe.

obviously it isn't safe. Neither is prostitution - some people still do it because they have no choice.

The author of his death, sadly, was him for running after and jumping on a car.

Was it jumping on the car that sealed his fate? Or deciding to drink? Or deciding to cycle? Or being born?
A whole series of events led up to him being at Bay and Bloor at that particular time and dying - but the choice that was made immediately prior to his death and the one that directly led to it was Bryant's choice not to stop even though his driving was obviously endangering a man's life.

Again, many are saying Bryant should have not fled and that is what forced him to jump on the car. Nothing justifies it and he took a stupid risk, while drunk and angry, and died.

Nothing justifies Bryant's choice to continue driving, you mean.

Sad, but his own doing. Definately not murder.

ROFL. So you are calling this suicide?

If Bryant wanted to know him off the car, he would have just driven straight into the construction zone rather than swerve across teh lanes of traffic.

What "construction zone"? There's no construction on that stretch of Bloor last I checked.

have any comment on the pending court case, and one more time I urge people to follow the law and not to comment. But I will call slagging a man who can't defend himself lower than a snake's belly. If you want to support the defendant in this case, if you want him to get a fair trial, I'd suggest you shut up, because he doesn't need to have people think of him as associated with a truly sleazy smear campaign.

Why 5pm?
Submitted by AnnieD on September 2, 2009 - 9:39am.

I'm disappointed that the time makes it virtually impossible for anyone with a 9-5 job to make it unless they're working in the area. I'm up by Sunnybrook today so there's no way I can make it in time.

It was meant for friends / bike messengers to show respect and support for Darcy Allan Sheppard's passing and hope for real justice to be done. It wasn't really a general critical mass event but other cyclists were welcome because they share the roads and similar fates as us couriers.