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THP may probe crash where Lakeisha died


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Tennessee Highway Patrol may be asked to take over the investigation of a crash where an 11-year-old girl was killed when struck by a sheriff’s detective’s vehicle, District Attorney William Whitesell reported.

Lakeisha Monique White, 11, died when struck by a sheriff’s vehicle driven by on-duty Detective Sgt. Ron Killings about 8:45 p.m. July 17 on Bradyville Pike. The crash is being investigated by Murfreesboro Police Department.

In a press release Monday, Whitesell stated he met with Lakeisha’s survivors last Thursday where he offered to allow another district attorney not connected by a working relationship with the sheriff’s office and Murfreesboro Police to handle the case.

Also, “I had offered to have that agency (THP) review the crash analysis that had been performed with the consent and knowledge of Chief Glenn Chrisman of the Murfreesboro Police Department,” Whitesell reported.

After the meeting, attorney Bob Whitaker, who represents Lakeisha’s survivors, asked him to step down from handling the case. Whitesell requested the District Attorneys General Conference to appoint another district attorney to handle the case. Also, Whitaker requested THP take over the investigation.

In an Aug. 8 press conference, Chrisman said the police department’s Fatal Accident Crash Team erred when investigators failed to collect liquor bottles witnesses told them were thrown out by Killings. Investigators linked one bottle to Killings while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is examining the second bottle for his fingerprints.

Chrisman placed Sgt. Sam Campbell, the FACT team commander, on administrative leave with pay.

Director Wally Kirby of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference is expected to appoint a district attorney to handle the case.

“That individual will make any further decisions regarding any requests in regard to the investigation and potential prosecution of any individual,” Whitesell reported.

THP spokeswoman Laura McPherson said there’s been no formal request yet to have the THP investigate.

Whitesell said that the district attorney appointed to handle the case would make decision.

 
 
 
Tagged under  FATAL


Member Opinions:
By: barrettbear on 8/18/08
Want,want,want,want,want,want. That appears to me that is what this family wants and is not going to be satisfied until. But my one and only question: Where were the adults at or who was watching out for her that night? Would that be like leaving a child in an unattended car? I like justice in the system too, but I hope the police stick together in this. These folks were apt to bring out those liquor bottles, not once saying about their presence when the little girl was killed.

By: devolver on 8/18/08
What a jumbled mess of a paragraph.

Witnesses at the scene at the time of the crash reported seeing bottles. Have you been following this story at all?

And where were the guardians? Sure, this child should have known better than to dart out in front a moving vehicle, but by all accounts the deputy was speeding. And then covered up evidence. Destruction of evidence is a felony. That means its a crime. A criminal act. Committed by one who has agreed to UPHOLD the law, not break it. He knew what he was doing.

Now, this $7 million settlement, that's a bit silly. But, you can't place blame on the guardians. It was BEFORE curfew. Tell me that your parents never let you go out into your neighborhood alone. You tell me that, and I'll call you a liar.

By: Alaskadave on 8/18/08
Since when is it against the law to carry alcohol in your car devolver? He did not have alcohol in his blood and who the hell says he was speeding. The same morons who were responsible for watching this poor girl? It is all about the money now and if and when they collect on the lawsuit the little girl will be nothing but an afterthought and the reason they all got new Caddy's and Benz's. It is a disease in our society. Those who have nothing think they deserve everything for nothing. Mr. Killings did nothing wrong except being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We should support him as a community and recognize this for the tragedy that it is. Unfortunately I am afraid the family is looking at it as an opportunity to get what they "deserve".

By: barrettbear on 8/18/08
O.K. devolver, first of all I do not write to impress you or anyone else of that matter, and second of all I have been reading and listening about this mess since it has happened. Now, I would like to know since you are on top of this gig, were you there that moment in time and attest that the deputy was actually speeding and if so how fast? Obviousally I was taught better to pay attention to traffic which is a lot busier and not as safe as it was when I was growing up. And yes if grandma was who she was visiting with, then someone with adult age should have been a bit more aware of where the children were at that night. Curfew or no curfew. I am under the assumption you would let your children run everwhere in Wal-Mart,Kroger, the park and then scream when someone runs off with them. In my paragragh that you managed to read and then respond to so well I did not remotely say the deputy did or did not commit a crime, but in the law, closed sealed containers are not illegal in Tennessee, so the most he should be reprimanded. There is also more than a two hour window to take a drug test if you have a safety sensitive job. Last but not least, call me a liar, because you did not grow up in our house and our parents were strict. So no, I did not roam the streets alone, if wish to miss thing.

By: nunya on 8/18/08
I agree with Barretbear 100% but I just have to throw my 2 cents in...The mother of this child lives in another state and LEFT a few of her 12 children, including a 2yr old with her mother for the summer.. What kinds of mother leaves her toddler for the entire summer... Or maybe the fact that the day after the death, cooincidently, the other children were taken from the mothers custody by Kentucky Department Of Children Services due to her severe drug problem and criminal record....Could the drug problem be why she wants 7 million dollars to smoke up...The child obviously had no guidance and obviously devolver you can relate to that... I sure never wandered the streets in the projects when I was her age.. or ever for that matter....

By: PCLady on 2/13/09
What a jumbled mess of a paragraph.~devolver



coming in on this late but devolver, you took the words right out of my mouth. i did, however understand the very clear message of hate toward this victimized family.


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