The “uncomfortable decision” to acquit a driver of felony charges in connection with a fatal car crash that killed two Marquette University students and lacrosse players came amid tearful deliberations.
That’s according to a juror who joined his counterparts in delivering the not guilty verdict for Amandria Brunner on June 18. The juror was interviewed by CBS 58.
Brunner, 42, of West Allis, was arrested at the scene of the Sept. 5 crash at North 27th Street and West St. Paul Avenue, near Marquette’s campus. It ended the lives of Scott Michaud, 19, and Noah Snyder, 20.
Brunner faced six felonies: two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, two counts of homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, and two counts of homicide by use of a vehicle involving a controlled substance.
Assistant District Attorney Emily Zimmel said Brunner should be held responsible for the crash because she was drunk and that her level of intoxication rendered her incapable of operating a vehicle safely.
Brunner’s defense team, Dustan Davidson and Abigail Ruckdashel, said driver Peter McColgan, also a Marquette student, was traveling at 53 mph when the cars collided. The speed limit in the area is 30 mph.
McColgan, 22, faces two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
The juror told CBS 58 he felt sorrow about the decision, but defended the verdict.
“I can say that I’m confident that [Brunner] contributed to the accident, but I cannot say that she contributed to the death,” said the juror, who spoke anonymously.
“I believe the recklessness of the other driver … gunning it through the intersection, in addition to the fact that there are six people sitting in a car made for five … I think those two decisions strongly outweigh the driving of Ms. Brunner,” he said.
“There was pacing, there were tears, everyone was really uncomfortable. And we all agreed when we got down to the end that, whatever’s happening, it’s going to be a completely uncomfortable decision.
“Walking out to hear the verdict, knowing what was about to unfold, I think we were all pretty sick to our stomachs,” the juror said.
He added, “I don’t think Amandria Brunner should ever be driving a vehicle again.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Juror in fatal crash trial says acquittal was ‘uncomfortable decision’
Reporting by Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
