#1 Felony charge dropped cause it would affect job.
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 5:55 pm
USATODAY
You have got to be kidding. On one hand they're claiming it would effect his ability to pay but... So what? Grab that shiny car of his and sell it off if needed. This is just ridiculous.A financial manager for wealthy clients will not face a felony charge in Colorado for an alleged hit-and-run because it could jeopardize his job, the Summit Daily News reports, quoting the district attorney.
Martin Joel Erzinger, 52, director in private wealth management at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Denver, now faces two misdemeanor traffic charges for allegedly hitting bicyclist Steven Milo from behind then speeding away, according to court documents.
The News says Erzinger had faced a felony count for causing serious bodily injury to Milo, who suffered spinal cord injuries, bleeding from his brain and damage to his knee and scapula, according to court documents.
Erzinger allegedly hit Milo with his black 2010 Mercedes Benz sedan near Eagle, Colo., in July. Police say he fled the scene and was arrested later, after calling his auto assistance service but not police, according to court records.
Erzinger said he was not aware he had struck Milo, a 34-year-old New York physician, the paper reports.
Hurlbert, who lowered the charges, said last week that the case, in part, was about money because "justice in this case includes restitution and the ability to pay it."
"Felony convictions have some pretty serious job implications for someone in Mr. Erzinger's profession, and that entered into it," he said, the paper reports. "When you're talking about restitution, you don't want to take away his ability to pay."
Milo said in a letter to prosecutors that the decision was "not appropriate" given that Erzinger "struck me, fled and left me for dead on the highway."
"Neither his financial prominence nor my financial situation should be factors in your prosecution of this case," he wrote.
Hurlbert tells Denver's 7NEWS that the decision "had nothing to do with (Erzinger's) wealth" and says Erzinger could face a year in jail on the misdemeanor charges.
