Matter still describes Wingerson, who was the best man at Matter's first wedding, as being 'like another big brother to me.These days, there are several motorcycle clubs across the globe, ranging from across the USA to the outskirts of New Zealand. Matter offered a different take: no witnesses willing to testify. The Chadas were charged with first-degree murder, but they later pleaded guilty of manslaughter and were sentenced to serve no more than eight years. Wingerson was hit and bled to death in Matter's arms. Be the first to knowĪt least 16 shots were fired. As Matter and Wingerson headed back to Wingerson's home to better arm themselves, they met the Chadas coming out of another bar. Still, he said, 'We used to get into a lot of fights with the local kids around here. There was no drug dealing going on in the Grim Reapers, or anything bad,' he said. As biker clubs went, the Grim Reapers wasn't a bad club, Matter said. Matter and Rick Wingerson were members of the Grim Reapers motorcycle club. But the story of his best friend, who was killed in a shootout in downtown Fort Dodge, is practically a local legend. Longtime Fort Dodge residents may not immediately remember Pat Matter's name. The no-holds-barred story of Matter's life is chronicled in a new book, released this month, and co-authored by a retired captain from the Hennepin County sheriff's office in Minneapolis who helped send Matter to federal prison. His expansion of the Hells Angels into Illinois escalated a decades-old war with the gang's rival, the Outlaws, who once retaliated by planting C-4 explosives under his truck. His biggest source of income? Dealing drugs. Matter was also the founder and year president of the the Hells Angels motorcycle gang's Minnesota chapter. He manufactured his own line of V-twin motorcycles, was a nationally ranked pro-stock motorcycle racer and a top-fuel racer. Matter, who dropped out of Fort Dodge public schools in the eighth grade, went on to build a multimillion-dollar empire. Pat Matter's story could be considered that of a hometown boy who made good - by being very bad. If you see comments in violation of our community guidelinesplease report them. It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban. Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in. You will need to register before adding a comment. You do not need a Facebook profile to participate. This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you. Welcome to our new and improved commentswhich are for subscribers only. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. A former Hells Angels leader writes a book with a man who helped send him to prison. Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about.

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