Monkey-masked Ariz. speeder gets 37 photo tickets

AP on Yahoo ^ | 9/11/09 | Amanda Lee Myers - AP

[NormsRevenge]

PHOENIX – Speed camera photos of the man in the monkey and giraffe masks have generated lots of chuckles. But the cops aren't laughing.

Dave VonTesmar, 47, started getting the $181.50 tickets last year, but it took Arizona state police several months to realize the same driver was repeatedly triggering speed cameras and refusing to pay the fines. By the time they did, more than 50 of the tickets had become invalid because the deadline for prosecution had passed.

VonTesmar, who has now amassed $6,7000 in fines, is fighting each citation by claiming he wasn't behind the wheel.

[muddler]

The British have adapted.

http://www.speedcam.co.uk/gatso2.htm

[OneWingedShark]

Q: Is Gatso short for Gestapo?

[CrappieLuck]

[tiki]

My friend who lives in Prescott but often goes to Phoenix just got one and she isn’t going to pay it unless she is served.

[TotusTuus]

Tell her not to answer her door. Better yet, tell her to wear a giraffe mask when answering the door;)

[The Toad]

How can they even take this guy to court when his accusers are camera’s?

[Lucky Dog]

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. [emphasis added]

How does one confront a witness when there is none? A camera is a machine, not a witness. In most other court proceedings, a photograph is not admitted as evidence unless there is a person to testify to its veracity.

So why in this case?

[HiJinx]

Okay does this bother anyone else, cops are always saying traffic enforcement is about safety... but this quote tells another story to me.

Given your assumption, it should bother you. Trouble is, your assumption is wrong.

The photo radar/camera speed traps are here because city councils put them here - they are a money-machine, no more and no less. And our Governor at the time - Janet Napolitano - admitted as much to the press and the public.

[HiJinx]

Living in Prescott, she won’t be served. Phoenix isn’t going to pay a process-server to go to Prescott with the citation.

I was never served the one I should have received 6 months ago.