Trial starts for Sunset Hills Mayor charged with deliberately striking cyclist, fleeing scene

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the trial of Sunset Hills Mayor Mark Furrer, accused of deliberately striking bicyclist Randy Murdick with his vehicle, has started:

Cyclists rally in support of cyclist Randy Murdick, who was struck by Sunset Hills Mayor Mark Furrer

Jury selection started Monday morning in the trial of Mark Furrer, the mayor of Sunset Hills who allegedly struck a bicyclist with his car after they exchanged words last year.

Furrer is charged with second-degree assault and property damage, both felonies. If convicted of either, he would forfeit office. The trial in St. Louis County Circuit Court, in Clayton, is before Judge Thomas J. Prebil.

The mayor allegedly told Randy Murdick, then 47, of Fenton, to “get off my roads” before hitting him with a Mercedes-Benz convertible on July 29, 2014. Furrer denied it. When he was charged, one of his lawyers, Thomas J. Magee, pledged to "vigorously defend this matter."

After a failed effort to recall Mayor Furrer last year, he remains in office in Sunset Hills.  If convicted of any of the felony charges against him, the Mayor will be removed from office under state law.

Last year, MoBikeFed presented a petition signed by over 400 people from the Sunset Hills area and around Missouri, asking Sunset Hills to take the appropriate action in regard to the Mayor and also to take positive steps to become a more bicycle friendly city.

We appreciate and support the work of St. Louis County police and prosecutors to bring appropriate charges in this case and prosecute the case vigorously.

More on the Mark Furrer situation in MoBikeFed News here and here.

Cyclists rally in support of Murdick

Making Missouri streets safer for people who bicycle and walk is one of the top priorities of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support helps turn our Vision into reality!