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Published on: 1/16/2008
Last Visited: 1/16/2008
Assistant County Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones said they made the plea deal because there was no evidence alcohol played a role in the accident, and Maola's attorneys were prepared to introduce evidence indicating Barnhart had driven left of center.Both of these factors could create reasonable doubt among jurors at trial, which was scheduled to begin yesterday.
"I think this was a reasonable resolution of this case given the conflicting evidence," she said.
The plea was run past Barnhart and Sisco's family, as is the usual practice, and Jones said they were opposed to the decision.
"I know something like this doesn't make people feel good when there's been a death," she said.
Each charge carries a maximum possible sentence of six months in the county jail, and Jones didn't recommend they be served consecutively.