District Attorney to pursue charges in Berthoud accident

Better than that, visit Michelle's site and make a contribution directly to her fund.

Berthoud is a great community that believes in a lot more than covering up the drunken mistakes of irresponsible drivers.

Go to ReporterHerald.com for the latest news regarding the case.The title of the article is:Berra's defense focuses on car's 'faulty' design by Pamela Dickman

Did anyone notice a small news piece recently in the Berthoud news about Landeros getting nabbed for a controlled substance? Hmm... Back to old tricks??

I find it odd that no big city paper picked up on this. I guess it is not important enough.I wonder if it had been any of the other people involved in the recent events would it be so minor? It is selective reporting.It isn't like this was not public info.Do you get find , or do you loose your driving privileges? The trial in October should really be interesting.

Mark wrote:

Here is even a better question.... If the two boys didnt see headlights which are brighter than their tailights and didnt hear a car coming and get out of the way, then how was she to see them?

They did see her as soon as she came over the hill. They just didn't do anything because they thought it was their friends (who they had just been on the phone with who said "we're right behind you")coming to help them.

Honestly, could she have been put in a worse situation?

It's a nightmare - and I dare say any of us, experienced drivers or not, would have had a hard time avoiding the antics of the boys that were hit. Hang in there, Michelle - we love you and know that justice will prevail and you will be found not guilty of all charges.

a friend wrote:

It's a nightmare - and I dare say any of us, experienced drivers or not, would have had a hard time avoiding the antics of the boys that were hit. Hang in there, Michelle - we love you and know that justice will prevail and you will be found not guilty of all charges.

Pretty sure of that are you?
What facts do you have that back that up?

I am close to the family and am involved tangentially with the events that happened that evening. I have read the news, like so many others, but have also remembered the original published State Trooper's report which many either never saw or have forgotten. I have driven and walked that road and seen the landscape and the set up first hand. I have stood and watched traffic come over the cusp of the hill and counted the number of seconds of reaction time that would be available in broad daylight.

Other than that, the statement I made that you have taken issue to is carefully worded so that it takes into account exceptions being a possibility.

Also - I recognize that I am an opinionated person who tries to develop their opinions based on a rational examination of the facts I've seen. I do admit to being biased in Michelle's direction. She is a wonderful, remarkable young lady who I believe has been made a scapegoat by the boy's families and a political stepping stone by an ambitious district attorney. I think, however, this stepping stone has turned into a land mine and if he's smart he'll hop off soon.

a friend wrote:

Also - I recognize that I am an opinionated person who tries to develop their opinions based on a rational examination of the facts I've seen. I do admit to being biased in Michelle's direction. She is a wonderful, remarkable young lady who I believe has been made a scapegoat by the boy's families and a political stepping stone by an ambitious district attorney. I think, however, this stepping stone has turned into a land mine and if he's smart he'll hop off soon.

I agree

a friend wrote:

Also - I recognize that I am an opinionated person who tries to develop their opinions based on a rational examination of the facts I've seen. I do admit to being biased in Michelle's direction. She is a wonderful, remarkable young lady who I believe has been made a scapegoat by the boy's families and a political stepping stone by an ambitious district attorney. I think, however, this stepping stone has turned into a land mine and if he's smart he'll hop off soon.

You had me saying "fair enough" and believed you had backed up your point (actually I didn't take issue with it, I was trying to see if there were facts you knew of to back up your opinion - which evidently you do. Then you also made the honest admission about being opinionated - we all are - which gained you credibility) until you made your misguided statement about the DA.
The DA is going after the truth of the incident, no matter how well she may hide herself.
DA's aren't elected on single cases, but rather the job they do as a whole (safer communities, etc.).
I think you might need to take that talking point out of your argument as it rings hollow and is offensive to those who do work hard in the justice system to find the truth.

Peace Thru Superior Frpwr wrote:

<quoted text>
You had me saying "fair enough" and believed you had backed up your point (actually I didn't take issue with it, I was trying to see if there were facts you knew of to back up your opinion - which evidently you do. Then you also made the honest admission about being opinionated - we all are - which gained you credibility) until you made your misguided statement about the DA.
The DA is going after the truth of the incident, no matter how well she may hide herself.
DA's aren't elected on single cases, but rather the job they do as a whole (safer communities, etc.).
I think you might need to take that talking point out of your argument as it rings hollow and is offensive to those who do work hard in the justice system to find the truth.

Now you've got me saying "Fair enough" - I still believe what I said about the DA, but that is definitely my bias kicking in.
I in no way intend to besmirch the fine job and honorable effort that most of the people involved in the justice system do (provide?)- wasn't and english major - sorry.

My dad was an Iowa state patrolman and while that is strictly anecdotal information, it has given me a firm respect for the front line of public safety. Thanks for your points well taken.

Peace Thru Superior Frpwr wrote:

<quoted text>
You had me saying "fair enough" and believed you had backed up your point (actually I didn't take issue with it, I was trying to see if there were facts you knew of to back up your opinion - which evidently you do. Then you also made the honest admission about being opinionated - we all are - which gained you credibility) until you made your misguided statement about the DA.
The DA is going after the truth of the incident, no matter how well she may hide herself.
DA's aren't elected on single cases, but rather the job they do as a whole (safer communities, etc.).
I think you might need to take that talking point out of your argument as it rings hollow and is offensive to those who do work hard in the justice system to find the truth.

Now you've got me saying "Fair enough" - I still believe what I said about the DA, but that is definitely my bias kicking in.
I in no way intend to besmirch the fine job and honorable effort that most of the people involved in the justice system do (provide?)- wasn't and english major - sorry.

My dad was an Iowa state patrolman and while that is strictly anecdotal information, it has given me a firm respect for the front line of public safety. Thanks for your points well taken.

a friend wrote:

<quoted text>
Now you've got me saying "Fair enough" - I still believe what I said about the DA, but that is definitely my bias kicking in.
I in no way intend to besmirch the fine job and honorable effort that most of the people involved in the justice system do (provide?)- wasn't and english major - sorry.
My dad was an Iowa state patrolman and while that is strictly anecdotal information, it has given me a firm respect for the front line of public safety. Thanks for your points well taken.

Well said and well argued. Nicely done!

The Berras have very eloquently stated their case on a web site for Michelle - www.michellesfriends.com - if you are interested in the Berra family's side of the story, you can read it in their own words.

most of these people that post this stuff are not from berthoud. i am. i go to the high school and these 3 of my class mates are in a very tragic part of their life. i dont appreciate people taking side saying that the boys got what they diserve for drinking and parking in the middle of the road. well first of all these boys had no other option cause of the snow piled on the roads. yea people say drive on the flat who care but ya know when they are in that situation nikko and tyler were in that night then they can say that but ya know everyone makes mistakes and when something scary like a flat tire happens u dont think of the worst possible senario. at least i wouldnt. and people who hate michelle for what she did is bull sh** cause she didnt see them and if she was no paying attention then ok cause none of the people that have said anything about this can honestly say they are perfect and they havent taken their focus off the road for a second cause thats all it takes. its crap that people are taking sides on this. it was late and after a school dance so even if they werent drinking they wanted to get home. people make mistakes...we are teenagers and we learn from our mistakes and thats what adults have told us since we were little. michelle nikko and tyler are heros no matter what and i will always remember these three extrondary class mates.

Whats it like for teenagers to live in a community like Berthoud. Are there a lot of jobs and activities to keep teens busy during the summer months? It sounds like alcohol and drugs are the exception and not the rule in Berthoud, this is a good sign.

Berthoud is a nice little town that has some jobs for local kids, but I would guess that the majority of kids drive to our very close neighboring towns, Loveland and Longmont, for jobs and fun.

b-town - you are commended for standing up for your classmates - they need good friends like you. I think the concern of people on this board is that it has seemed that the media (and many people on the net) have totally blamed Michelle - and you know that she is not the cause of this accident. That's what makes some of us upset.

b-town wrote:

most of these people that post this stuff are not from berthoud. i am. i go to the high school and these 3 of my class mates are in a very tragic part of their life. i dont appreciate people taking side saying that the boys got what they diserve for drinking and parking in the middle of the road. well first of all these boys had no other option cause of the snow piled on the roads. yea people say drive on the flat who care but ya know when they are in that situation nikko and tyler were in that night then they can say that but ya know everyone makes mistakes and when something scary like a flat tire happens u dont think of the worst possible senario. at least i wouldnt. and people who hate michelle for what she did is bull sh** cause she didnt see them and if she was no paying attention then ok cause none of the people that have said anything about this can honestly say they are perfect and they havent taken their focus off the road for a second cause thats all it takes. its crap that people are taking sides on this. it was late and after a school dance so even if they werent drinking they wanted to get home. people make mistakes...we are teenagers and we learn from our mistakes and thats what adults have told us since we were little. michelle nikko and tyler are heros no matter what and i will always remember these three extrondary class mates.

I won't address your overly emotional and poorly reasoned arguments because you are young and ignorant of the realities of the law (as seems the Larimer County DA). However, I must say that I am astonished at how poorly you write for being in (or perhaps now graduated from ) high school. It is simply not a significant burden to check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar before posting and embarrassing yourself. If I was considering hiring you for any kind of professional position and I saw you posting above as an example of your written-communication skills, then your application would be summarily dismissed. For your own sake, improve your writing skills.