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Jessie's Riders tell Couey to beware

Emotions run high at Jessie's Memorial Ride, which attracts an estimated 5,000 bikers.

By ELENA LESLEY
Published February 25, 2007

CRYSTAL RIVER - On the two-year anniversary of Jessica Lunsford's disappearance, thousands of bikers called for retribution.

Let John Couey dodge the electric chair, they said. Let him get off on a technicality. We'll be waiting.

"Pedophiles need to watch their backs," said Sarah Davidson, one of the estimated 5,000 bikers who turned out for the third annual Jessie's Memorial Ride on Saturday. "It's an eye for an eye in this population."

While bikers gathered to pay tribute to a slain girl, many couldn't help but fantasize about punishment for the man accused of killing her, who is awaiting his trial in Miami.

"I don't want him to die; that would be too easy," said Davidson of Largo, who has five kids. "I want them to turn him loose in the general population and let them bury him alive."

A murder like Jessie's, senseless and gruesome, remains seared in people's minds. Riders feel like it could have been their child. They're that angry.

"It tugs out all of our hearts," said Marcy Meyer, describing the feeling of solidarity in the biker community. "We haven't moved on. We haven't forgotten."

Just the opposite, in fact. This year's event drew more than three times as many bikers as last year's. Even organizers weren't prepared for the crowd.

Registration lines in New Port Richey snaked around the building, and riders thronged U.S. 19, some parking a half-mile or more away from the Crystal River Harley Davidson, the ride's end point.

"It felt like we were in a parade," said Dennis Curatolo, of driving up U.S. 19. Supporters yelled and waved from the side of the road. People held up babies. "It gets bigger and bigger every year. It's amazing how it's still on people's minds."

Couey's trial has no doubt helped the cause's visibility.

Jury selection has dragged on in Miami for two weeks, and it will be at least one more before attorneys can present opening statements. Riders criticized the slow pace and defense's tactics.

"They have Couey sitting there acting like he's retarded, drawing dinosaurs," Curatolo said. "He knows right from wrong, and he needs to be executed."

Mark Lunsford's speech behind the Crystal River Harley Davidson turned into an impromptu antipedophile rally. While the activist chose his words diplomatically, others weren't so careful.

"He's not retarded; he's a damn criminal," said emcee Randy Akers, with Born to Ride TV and magazine.

Other speakers urged the crowd to remain vigilant and angry.

The audience roared in response, shouting, "Lock him away!" and "Let him hang!" along with, "We love you, Mark!"

Through all this, Mark Lunsford stayed calm.

But as he read a poem to the crowd, "Predators Forewarned," his quavering voice couldn't hide his emotion.

"Your time is short, your shelters few," he warned sex offenders. "Jessie's Riders are coming for you."

Elena Lesley can be reached at (352) 564-3627 or elesley@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 25, 2007, 00:20:12]