Judge refuses to dismiss negligent homicide charge against officer

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.