By Jeff Madera
I have been watching this case with great interest since the prosecution of Bismarck Dinius began. I am glad to see that justice in this case has finally and partially been completed. I say partially completed because the real perpetrators ? Capt. Russell Perdock, Lake County Sheriff Deputy James Beland and Lake County District Attorney Jon E. Hopkins, have not yet been prosecuted or unceremoniously turned out of office and until they are, no one in Lake County is safe.
Mr. Perdock should be prosecuted for violation of Rule 5 (Lookout), Rule 6 (Safe Speed), Rule 7 (Risk of Collision) Rule 8 (Action to Avoid Collision), Rule 13 (Overtaking), and Rule 25 (Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars) of the U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules of the Road. Had Mr. Perdock not been travelling at more than 40 nautical mph, he could have simply avoided this collision and the resultant accident. Prosecution for these violations would only be a starting point. In my opinion, he should also be charged with negligence and homicide.
Mr. Beland has perhaps possibly committed the even more serious crime of concealing and tampering with evidence (in this case, Mr. Perdock”s blood sample) and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Why is no one asking about the chain of custody for this particular blood sample and why is no one asking why only Mr. Dinius was given a breathalyzer test at the scene?
Finally, Mr. Hopkins has abused his position and violated the public trust by bringing these charges against the wrong party (Mr. Dinius) and if such a miscarriage of justice can occur, he has no business being the District Attorney for Lake County. Voters should turn him out of office with no delay at the next election.
Until Lake County cleans up the alleged corruption in the sheriff”s department and prosecutes both Mr. Perdock and Mr. Beland, and votes Mr. Hopkins out of office, no one in Lake County is safe from the very people who are supposed to protect them. I have been boating in Lake County for over 25 years, but until the county cleans up this mess, I, and my tourist dollars, will not be coming back to visit and I suspect you will see a rapid and marked decline in the tourist business, which is very unfortunate for the people in your community.
Jeff Madera
Seattle, Washington
