Dr. Christopher Thompson was found guilty of deliberately hitting two cyclists in Brentwood last year in what has become a highly publicized road rage trial. In finding Dr. Thompson guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem and other related criminal charges, the jury believed that Dr. Thompson intentionally slammed on his brakes after passing the two cyclists, causing the cyclists to crash into the back of his car.
At trial, prosecutors painted Dr. Thompson as having a history of run-ins with cyclists. They argued that on July 4, 2008, Dr. Thompson, slammed on his brakes after passing the two cyclists and yelling at them to ride in a single file line. As a result, one cyclist flew face first into the rear windshield of Dr. Thompson’s red Infiniti causing him to break his nose and front teeth, as well as scarring his face. As for the other cyclist, he was thrown from his bike onto the sidewalk causing him to separate his shoulder.
Dr. Thompson testified that he was merely attempting to take a picture of the two cyclists to get their identities as he and some other residents were having trouble with unsafe riding up and down Mandeville Canyon Road, a 5.5 mile residential street popular with cyclists. Dr. Thompson further testified that thought he had enough room when he hit the brakes and never meant to hurt the cyclists.
However, at trial, a police officer testified that just after the accident, Dr. Thompson told him that he slammed on his brakes “to teach them a lesson” after the cyclists flipped him off and cursed at him.
As the guilty verdict was read, Dr. Thompson just hung his head. Dr. Thompson now faces potential prison time at his sentencing.
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