Judge William Nalitz, Greene County President Judge, denied the appeal of a man who was convicted of killing a West Virginia sheriff's deputy in 2012, an incident which occurred as he led police on an interstate car chase.
The appeals motions, filed by the Morgantown, West Virginia resident, were filed in the wake of his having been found guilty of third degree homicide, homicide by vehicle while drunk, and driving under the influence, among other counts. He was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for the accident, which killed Sgt. Todd May, a Monongalia County sheriff's deputy. Experts estimate that the defendant was driving up to 100 miles per hour when he slammed into May's police cruiser during the chase.
The convicted man based his appeal on his claim that the state did not have sufficient evidence to prove that he had acted with malice when he killed deputy May. However Judge Nalitz disagreed, indicating in his ruling that the man showed an escalating level of disregard for the safety of others, as he initially drove drunk, then fled from police, and finally accelerated to 98 miles per hour before the fatal car accident. In denying the appeals motion Nalitz ruled that the circumstances surrounding the defendant's actions inferred malice.
Sometimes people flee from the police due to fear of what may happen if they are caught driving under the influence or in another compromising situation. It important is to remember never to flee from the police. You should carry the name and phone number of a qualified attorney with you at all times. Should you ever be pulled over by the police you should immediately contact your attorney's office for advice.
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.