The Idaho Statesman: Officials promise justice for cyclist Kevin Pavlis
But Ada County prosecutors say little information in Kevin Pavlis’ death may be released.
BY PATRICK ORR – porr@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2009 Idaho Statesman
Published: 10/30/09
Prosecutors say they still are working the case, even though they have not yet charged the 16-year-old boy who police say hit and killed Boise bicyclist Kevin Pavlis June 11.
But they said that if the boy is charged with vehicular manslaughter, it would be done in Ada County Juvenile Court, so a judge would have to allow the release of any information about the boy’s punishment.
The statement from the prosecutors – sent to a local bicycling community e-mail list late Wednesday – was a response to a message being circulated on the Internet by frustrated Treasure Valley bicycling enthusiasts.
Titled “Less than a slap on the wrist for killing Kevin Pavlis,” the much-passed-around e-mail says the teen driver had made a deal with prosecutors that would allow him to avoid jail entirely. It says Ada County prosecutors “have implied some fault on Kevin’s part” because he was not wearing bright bicycle clothing at the time of the fatal crash.
Prosecutors say the e-mail is “completely inaccurate.”
Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower told the Statesman Thursday he wanted “to update the community” and “immediately reassure them we are diligently working with Kevin’s wife and family.”
“No one from the prosecutor’s office has ever stated Kevin was in any way responsible for his own death,” the prosector statement reads. “If the judge allows us to release information about the case, we will do so without delay.”
If the boy is convicted of manslaughter in juvenile court, the maximum penalty would be 90 days in a detention facility, three years of probation, a loss of driving privileges for up to three years, community service, and financial restitution.
It is unclear who composed the e-mail that says if the boy does not spend any time in a detention facility, it would be “an insult” to Pavlis’ family and the rest of the Boise biking community.
Pavlis worked at Idaho Mountain Touring and was well-known among Valley cyclists.
“Some may believe the young person who killed Kevin will be punished enough by guilt … I disagree,” the e-mail says.
Prosecutors say whoever began circulating the e-mail never attempted to contact them to discuss the claims.
They said they have met with Pavlis’ family twice in October to discuss the case, and have been in regular contact with the boy’s attorney.
Evidence tests took months to complete, but the results of Idaho State Police lab tests for alcohol and drugs were given to Boise police Oct. 2, and the case was forwarded to prosecutors Oct. 6, officials say. Police and prosecutors have not released the test results.
