At the risk of being accused of being an apologist for Tyler McCoy and his father, Sheriff Mike McCoy, I’m not sure charging Tyler with a DUI is the smartest — or fairest — thing to do.
Yes, Tyler should have been tested for alcohol after his traffic accident, considering that the deputy at the scene smelled alcohol. I find it hard to believe that the average motorist in the same situation would have been able to avoid being tested.
But that in September and this is the end of November. Based on statements the deputy at the scene is making in an attempt to avoid a felony charge, Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons ticketed Tyler McCoy for misdemeanor DUI.
Allow me to repeat: Lyons is passing up on possible felony charges against ONE sheriff’s deputy in order to charge the son of the sheriff with a misdemeanor. During an election year.
Cops do not like Lyons. Virtually every police union in the area endorsed Darin LaHood in the 2008 state’s attorney race. And quite a few police believe Lyons is punishing Peoria police by prosecuting two police officers on brutality charges based on a video that doesn’t actually show the alleged victim.
Police don’t deserve special treatment. Nor do they have less rights than you and I. If you got a ticket for DUI months after the accident and only because an officer charged his story in a deal that allowed him to avoid felony charged, would you think your rights were being protected?
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Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Lyons hasn’t given a rat’s ass about his persona before, why would he care now? Lahood had a fighting chance, and he still lost. This is probably one of the first things I actually commend Lyons on…hell no, the cops are not above the law. Yes, it took some time, and probably a lot of phone calls to make sure the right people knew what was up. We all know that cops look out for cops, but when you dump a vehicle that early in the morning, and we all heard the audio tapes, he was slurred and slow, he deserves the charge. I hope he gets convicted.
Commend? He had to threaten the other officer to get his testimony and that is essentially the only evidence in the case. I agree with Billy, he should have been tested when it happened. The evidence in this case is going to be pretty light and hopefully Lyons loses. I am all for punishing police officers when they break the law but this is a vendetta not justice.
However, when someone shoots and kills TWO other individuals in cold blood Lyons decides to give them a slap on the wrist and let them be on their way. What the hell is wrong with this guy?
11Bravo: where did someone shoot and kill two individuals in cold blood? If you are talking about the recent case I think you are that simply did not happen that way. Read the facts again. Not saying it shouldn’t have been handled differently, just correctling your statement.
Sorry, you’re correct I should have said “an inhuman disregard for the sanctity of life”
That’s better!
Oh give me a break, the guy is obviously guilty as hell (eye witness) and was given special treatment. Why are we even debating this? Lyons was right when he said he had to do right by all other DUIs, and I totally respect him.
I would have to say that if it was me, I would feel my rights would be not protected. Sounds like he is guilty though.