NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – Testimonies started Thursday within the trial of Max Townsend, who’s dealing with 3 counts of second-degree homicide after he allegedly hit Moore Excessive Faculty Cross Nation runners together with his truck in February of 2023, killing three and injuring a number of others.
It was the second day of court docket for Townsend, however the first day of witness testimonies. The state prosecutors referred to as a number of witnesses to the stand Thursday morning and afternoon, searching for to color an image of Townsend’s mindset through the incident in addition to what occurred total.
The jurors are being requested to find out is his truck sped up within the presence of the children. Nonetheless, the state’s argument is that he handed out and was unconscious through the incident as a result of choking on a pink bull drink. The state’s witnesses have been all concerned within the incident ultimately.
Certainly one of them was a cross nation runner who was hit by Townsend’s truck. He suffered accidents to his decrease physique in addition to street rash throughout.
Moore police officer Zach Grismer appeared as nicely. The state confirmed his grotesque physique digital camera footage as he labored to assist after the incident.
A Moore Public Colleges worker and former police detective took to the stand as nicely. He helped the children through the incident in addition to police afterward to get better surveillance video. The video was proven in court docket giving a number of angles of the truck touring close to Moore Excessive Faculty earlier than plowing into the cross nation runners.
The protection argues that the truck seemed to be going the proper velocity within the college zone earlier than dashing up. They added that not one of the state’s witnesses ever got here involved with Townsend after the incident or might establish him.
This comes after opening statements ended Wednesday with the state arguing that Townsend acted with imminently harmful conduct with THC and alcohol in his system. The protection cited him choking on pink bull and that he didn’t have a wicked thoughts as a result of medication or alcohol.
Two ladies referred to as to the stand, considered one of them a Moore Excessive Faculty soccer participant, have been driving within the space when it occurred. Certainly one of them said Townsend was driving “method quicker than I had ever seen anybody drive in that space.”
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Each mentioned they needed to swerve out of the way in which in every of their encounters together with his truck because it sped towards them at 77 mph.
Key factors within the defenses argument state that Townsend was unconscious through the incident. Nonetheless, each ladies mentioned Townsend had his fingers on the wheel and “appeared attentive” whereas driving.
The protection argues there that the incident occurred shortly. They questioned their skill to see one thing like that in an incident that unfolded in seconds. The trial is ready to proceed Friday morning.
