Killings testifies he didn't see child before crash on The Murfreesboro Post

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Killings testifies he didn't see child before crash

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By: Lisa Marchesoni

Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:09 pm

Killings testifies he didn't see child before crash | Ron Killings trial, Lakeisha White

Former Rutherford County Detective Sgt. Ron Killings testified on his own behalf Thursday. Killings is on tiral for reckless homicide in the death of Lakeisha White, 11, in 2008 on Bradyville Pike.

Former sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Ron Killings told jurors his air bag exploded and he “saw a little girl’s face” from the windshield of his patrol car when they collided July 17, 2008 on Bradyville Pike.

Killings testified he was speeding to back up another officer and didn’t see the girl he hit prior to the crash.

“I was staying focused on my lane of travel,” Killings said. “I didn’t look at my speed.”

Killings testified about one hour and 20 minutes in his own behalf during the third day of his trial on reckless homicide of Lakeisha White, 11, of Hopkinsville, Ky. Lakeisha died July 18, 2008 of injuries suffered in the crash that occurred when she visited relatives during the summer.

Closing arguments and jury deliberations were expected Thursday afternoon.

While describing the crash, Killings’ voice broke with emotion as he cried and wiped tears away. Family members cried as well. Jurors sat erect in their seats. The packed courtroom was silent.

Just moments before, Killings said he saw his friend, former La Vergne Police Detective Jerri Lynn Champion at a Mapco station then got the call from Detective Steve Brown he needed back up dealing with burglary suspects.

While en route, he talked to Champion on his speakerphone. Brown called on his work phone and asked him to “step it up.”

“I speeded up,” Killings said.

Moments later the air bag exploded. He called dispatch to get an ambulance before getting out of the patrol car. He paused and cried for a moment.

He found Lakeisha, checked her pulse and asked, “Is she OK?” before trying to find a relative. He opened his truck to search for a medical bag and retrieved some clothes to cover her.

“I covered her body up because her shirt was up,” Killings said, later adding, “I knew there was damage.”

Defense attorney Terry Fann asked if he saw the child before the crash.

“No sir,” Killings said.

He sped up and noticed no cars in front of him while he remained focused on the street.

“I was trying to get to Steve, Detective Brown,” Killing said.

He believed he drove 40 to 45 mph and remained in his lane.

“Did you ever see her dart out in front of you?” Fann asked.

“No sir,” Killings replied.

Fann asked why he drove without lights and sirens.

Killings replied the sirens might have “spooked the suspects” with Brown. “That would have put him in harm’s way.”

Prosecutor Joe Baugh asked why he didn’t see the children.

Killings replied he was focused on the roadway and his lane of travel.

Baugh noted the car computer showed he traveled 70 mph before the crash and asked why he accelerated.

Killings said Brown asked him to “step it up.”

Baugh asked if Killings told Murfreesboro Police Sgt. Sam Campbell he caused the crash.

Killings said he did, but “what I means to say was I was a participant.”

“Did you cause it?’ Baugh asked.

“No sir, I was a participant,” Killings said.

Baugh asked if the child caused the crash.

“No sir, that’s not what I’m saying,” Killings said.

If he had seen her, Killings said he would have tried to avoid her.

Baugh asked if he could do it again would he speed again.

“I was speeding to back up an officer,” Killings said.

Baugh asked why he didn’t tell Campbell about talking on the cell phone.

“I didn’t think that had anything to do with the accident,” Killings said.

In earlier testimony, Brown said he encountered six suspects, two of whom he suspected in a home invasion where they were in the bedrooms of a sleeping mother and son.

Because they were fearless to burglarize a home with people inside, Brown asked Killings to “step it up.”

“What are my chances, me by myself, with six people?” Brown asked.

Tagged under Lakeisha White, Ron Killings trial

Member Opinions:

By: dartexas on 2/11/10
He says he didnt see the little girl, he says here that his air bag exploded and he saw the girl. He was not paying attention to his speed only focusing on his lane of travel. Sounds like he was negligent with his speed. That would be the same as if we got pulled over we can say oh I was focusing on my lane of travel officer, I wasn't watching my speed, and that we should not be tickeded. Does this sound right?

By: vdanr on 2/11/10
No, it doesn't sound right dartexas because you misspelled ticketed.

By: unega47 on 2/12/10
VDANR you say that dartexas opinion is invalid just because they misspelled 1 word. That is amazing!
Do you have anything better to do with your time? Go watch your toe nails grow or something else that would benefit mankind!