OUR VIEW: Ryan’s appeal of guilty plea in DUI case is disappointing
Published: June 21, 2009
Updated: June 21, 2009
After pleading guilty in May to driving under the influence — his second DUI arrest in the past five years — Culpeper Town Councilman Bobby Ryan was supposed to have started serving a 30-day jail sentence last weekend.
By law, however, an appeal can be made to a higher court — even an appeal of a guilty plea. The logic is a bit hard to follow, but that’s how our legal system works.
So now Ryan is keeping his case in the headlines, seemingly fighting insurmountable odds to get off on a technicality or buy time for a defense strategy that could sway a jury. Procedural issues aside, we think the 64-year-old councilman is making a mistake.
When Ryan entered the guilty plea, he appeared to be taking responsibility for a dangerous, careless error in judgment. (The arresting officer said Ryan was so intoxicated he blew a 0.17, had slurred speech and was unable to understand questions.)
Now that Ryan has appealed his own guilty plea, it makes him out to be someone who at best is indecisive and at worst is needlessly tying up the system. What is he hoping to accomplish?
From our standpoint, the case is a slam dunk. All signs point back to the jail cell. But maybe Ryan and his lawyer have an ace up their sleeve. We’ll see come July 15, the date for his trial in Culpeper County Circuit Court.
Ryan’s appeal is disappointing for those who were happy to see one of our community leaders admit wrongdoing and serve his punishment. Whatever goodwill he might have earned in the public eye has now evaporated.
We’re not saying Ryan doesn’t have the right to an appeal or a fair trial; he’s just going about it in a way that makes most folks shake their head.
We’ve editorialized before that Ryan should step down from council and take time to remedy what appears to be a serious problem. For his own sake, and for the best interest of the town, we hope he follows that advice.
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Reader Reactions
No hyphens- Are you really trying not to be condescending? Because it’s not coming off very well. Do you have any idea how many people on the BOS or TC were born here? I know there are some but I’ll bet the majority are “come-heres”. Like I say, you may not think you’re being condescending but it comes across as “Fairfax is just so much more sophisticated than these small town rubes and as soon as enough of them die off, then we can finally get a bunch of former Fairfaxers like me to take over and then we won’t have this stagnant pool.“
Then you go on to criticize your new friends here in Culpeper by saying that they don’t vote as often as Fairfaxers. The problem with your thinking is that both Fairfax and Culpeper voted at the same rate in last fall’s election- 74%.
Actually I wouldn’t be surprised that you do have something to offer this community but you’ll find people will be a lot more interested in what you have to offer if you would reevaluate your attitude about the people here.
(no hyphens), what does how long you have lived here have to do with being caught for a second time DUI in five years. Ryan has probably other DUI’s on his driving record as well. I guess being from Fairfax you can fix Culpeper? Actually, Culpeper was doing very well until Fairfax started moving in with the almighty ideas and attitudes.
I’m relatively new to this area - moved in 2002 from Fairfax County. Something I’ve noticed over the last 7 years - in a town this size, it seems that the “who you know” connection here - especially if you grew up here, keeps many things from making changes when they are really needed. Not all things need to change. However, hopefully, as people move here from other areas, they can make positive contributions and become involved in the local political arena. Otherwise, we’re doomed to have the same people ad nauseum and the same small pool of individuals will continue to direct the Town. I’m not saying Culpeper is a sorry place to live; it isn’t. I am saying that…Culpeper, like a pool of water, needs movement or it will stagnate and die off. However, seeing how FEW people vote…I think we’re doomed to live in a cycle that never ends until some of these folks retire or…move on.
Country Mom makes an excellent point.
This not only disappointing, it’s quite distasteful
If he were to resign, I guess the present council would appoint, or hold a special election? They would probably appoint a “think-alike” friend.
I have no clue. My guess is, if someone is elected by the voters, they can only be removed by the voters, or resign. Why would anyone not resign given the legal situation of Mr. Ryan? One would think he would not want to run the risk of a re-call, or citizens petitions for him to step down.
If he does resign, what is the process for his replacement?
Ryan should step down from his position on council, but he won’t. The town voters can pursue a re-call on his election, and they should! Mr. Ryan needs to focus on his illness with alcohol, and his family, and remove himself and the community from further shame.
The special prosecutor asked for a jury, not the defense. But wait until July 15. I bet the defense asks for a continuance due to Ryan’s medical problems. By the time the case is tried Ryan will not face the enhanced penalties because the five-year period from his last conviction will have passed. It’s all legal, but a perversion of the legal system. Ryan has learned nothing from his previous DUI arrest and will learn nothing from this one. He is an embarrassment to the town and council. He should resign, but he won’t.
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