Trisha Stratman Trial: Day 1
LA CROSSE, Wis. — The trial of a former La Crosse County deputy charged in the crash that killed a Holmen teenager begins in earnest Tuesday.
Trisha Stratman is charged with homicide by negligent use of a vehicle for the July 2010 death of 16-year-old Brandon Jennings.
Stratman allegedly hit Jennings’ car going nearly 100-miles-per-hour while responding to a bar fight in Holmen.
A Wisconsin State Patrol report says Stratman’s squad car lights and siren were on at the time of the crash.
4698128Tara Jenswold-Schipper, a special prosecutor from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, talked to the court about evidence and witnesses the prosecution would introduce. She also told jurors to take into account Stratman’s role as an officer of the law, and the privileges and responsibilities that come with being an officer.
Defense attorney Jordan Loeb told the court Stratman was responding to a serious emergency and was driving appropriately. Loeb says Stratman’s conduct was not criminal.
The state’s first witness was dispatcher Elizabeth Dejo. Audio from the initial call and crash were played for the court.
Also called by the state during the morning session were Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Chris Anderson and those who witnessed Stratman driving on Highway 35 when responding to the bar fight.
The afternoon session included testimony from Brandon Jennings’ friend Angela Berkley, who went through the stoplight at Highway 35 and County Road OT just before Jennings.
Berkley told the court she was with Jennings at a party that had alcohol, but she did not see him drink.
Berkley testified that she dropped Jennings off at his car at the McDonald’s on County Road OT, and the two drove toward the 35/OT intersection.
Berkley says the light was green when she came to the intersection. Berkley said she saw Stratman’s squad car as she went through the intersection. Berkley said she looked behind her and saw a flash of sparks in the intersection.
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LA CROSSE, Wis. — It took nearly 8 hours on Monday, but the jury is now set in the trial of a former La Crosse County deputy charged in a crash that killed a Holmen teenager.
Trisha Stratman is charged with homicide by negligent use of a vehicle for the July 2010 death of 16-year-old Brandon Jennings.
Stratman allegedly hit Jennings’ car going nearly 100-miles-per-hour while responding to a bar fight in Holmen.
A Wisconsin State Patrol report says Stratman’s squad car lights and siren were on at the time of the crash.
On Monday, more than 100 potential jurors packed into a courtroom at the La Crosse County Law Enforcement Center, with both Stratman’s and Jennings’ families sitting in the front row.
Prosecution and defense attorneys began questioning the potential jurors shortly after 9:00 a.m. Monday.
In the afternoon, several people were taken one at a time to a back conference room. There, they were asked specifically about the media coverage surrounding the case and whether it would effect their ability to remain impartial.
Several potential jurors told Judge David Rice that they had already formed their opinions about the case. Rice, who was brought in from Monroe County for the trial, then dismissed those people
During the back room questioning, Stratman sat quietly next to her attorney and took notes.
By about 5 p.m., the defense and prosecution had agreed on 9 men and 5 women who will make up the jury. Two of the people will serve as alternates.
The jurors will be sworn in first thing Tuesday morning. Both sides will then make their opening statements in the trial.
