From Deseret News archives:

Judge refuses to dismiss negligent homicide charge against officer

Published: Monday, July 14, 2008 3:00 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
A motion to dismiss the negligent homicide case against a Taylorsville police officer who was involved in a traffic accident while responding to assist fellow officers has been denied.

Late last week, 3rd District Judge Robert Adkins denied the motion filed by attorney Ed Brass on behalf off his client, Taylorsville police detective Joseph James Corbett.

Corbett was driving with his lights and siren on while responding to help other officers involved in a high-speed chase on Feb. 7, 2007. At the intersection of 4700 South and Redwood Road, he collided with a vehicle driven by 27-year-old John Douglas of Tooele, who was killed.

The defense contends Douglas had the painkiller Tramadol in his system and was text messaging while driving. Prosecutors argue that Corbett was not following the accepted standard for emergency driving in Utah.

But Brass contended the state has failed to set any standard and sought to have the case dismissed on those grounds. Adkins denied the motion.

Both sides now will prepare for a four-day trial, which was scheduled to begin Aug. 19.

Recent comments

Kelly you no nothing about this case. The supervisor that night was...

Justice for Corbett | July 16, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.

The officer wasn't on his way to "help" someone, except maybe for his...

Kelly | July 14, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.

Just one more action on the part of a Utah Judge who wants to make...

Fed Up | July 14, 2008 at 7:37 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Maybe "our best" should use better judgement and stop enabling this country's...

When renting any property there are only two things you should worry about....

5A teams best of decade

Which one of these is not like the others. Skyline- Champions 2005 ...

Did you boo Derek Fisher when he came back the next year? (Also you mean...

The Timpview and Mt. Crest winner still has to play one more game, lets not...

As hard as it is to hear the ranting and hate being spued from these...

As a rule of thumb I never, ever pull for the Ewe. This week is no different.

It's not "hate" that is promoted. There are many opinions, which is good, but...

If I own an apartment building, it is my private property. No one should be...

Letters: Strange breed in Utah

Apparently Mr. Lowery listens to these gentleman in some detail or he...

Advertisements
Advertisement