Monday, February 11, 2008
Josh Walton’s defense attorneys called two witnesses Friday to prove that the victim, former student Ryan Kanost, was not in the crosswalk the night he died, before both sides made their final arguments.
Josh Walton, former University of Kansas student, stood trial this week for the hit-and-run death of Kanost. Walton is being charged with involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol, a felony, and leaving the scene of a fatality accident. If he is convicted for this crime, he will face a minimum of two and a half years in prison. Walton’s lawyers are trying to reduce the charge to vehicular homicide, which is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of only one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
pullquote
There is a family who lost their son, and a family who is trying to give their son a second chance. They are both just trying to do what is right.
— Donna Grammer, mother of former student Jacob Starr who testified in the case
Both witnesses who testified in Walton’s defense said they noticed that Walton was driving too fast.
Former student Jacob Starr said he saw Kanost get struck by the vehicle, fly back and hit a post. He testified that Kanost, who was in the street north of the crosswalk, was never actually in the crosswalk.
The prosecution said that blood stains in the crosswalk proved Kanost was there.
“They tried to make me look like I didn’t know what I was talking about because of where the blood was,” Starr said after his testimony. “But it was an explosive accident.”
Starr said he was certain Kanost was not in the crosswalk, and he wrote it in his journal the next day.
The truth is, it doesn’t matter whether Kanost was in the crosswalk, Starr said, and that Walton was drunk and driving way too fast.
John Sullivan, Kansas City sophomore, said that he did not see the car hit Kanost, but the speed of the car drew his attention to the intersection.
“I heard a popping sound,” Sullivan said, “and I thought a tire had popped.”
Sullivan also testified that he did not see anyone in the crosswalk that night. The prosecution said that a bush could have blocked Sullivan’s view that night.
Donna Grammer, Starr’s mother, said that she was just glad that it was over for her and her son.
“But that’s the thing, it is not over for these people,” Grammer said. “There is a family who lost their son, and a family who is trying to give their son a second chance. They are both just trying to do what is right.”
After each side presented final statements Friday, the jury deliberated for five hours. It will meet again today to continue examination of the evidence.
— Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
Friends of hit-and-run victim testify
Three friends of Ryan Kanost, the KU student who was killed by ...
Jury finds Walton guilty of misdemeanor
Walton was on trial in Douglas County District Court for the 2006 ...
Oread Neighborhood safety in question
Lawrence police try to monitor the area, commonly known as the “student ...
Witness to death of student testifies
Dwayane Duncan describes collision during preliminary hearing of Steven Kyle Cummins.
Stricter punishment underway for hit-and-run offenders
State officials and family members of hit-and-run victims are now enforcing a ...
Editorial: Punishment for hit-and-run drivers should be ...
State laws regarding accidents involving pedestrians need to be strengthened.
Hearing scheduled for man involved in U.S. ...
Arkansas man allegedly stole a vehicle on campus and caused fatal wreck ...
Rose sentenced to 122 months in Boardwalk ...
Jason Rose was sentenced Monday to 122 months after being convicted last ...
Hit-and-run driver granted continuance
The man who struck a bicyclist in October will report to court ...
Student Senate proposes crosswalk construction
Senate has offered to pay for a crosswalk in front of Naismith ...
Rose guilty of lesser charge
A 12-person jury convicted 21-year old Jason Allen Rose of involuntary manslaughter ...
University law student charged after fatal drunk ...
JD/MBA student Robert Domsch was charged with involuntary manslaughter after driving the ...
Student will be remembered for her attitude
Rachel Leek’s friends said they appreciated her enthusiasm for the simple things ...
Suspects plead not guilty in robbery of ...
A detective of KU Public Safety testifies that one suspect confessed to ...
Former Jayhawk football player sticks with Kansas ...
Jayhawk Radio Network’s David Lawrence played, coached, reported, and now analyzes KU ...
Hit-and-run driver waives rights
Joel Hernandez faces four charges in the death of former KU student.
Live Blog: Selby debuts against USC
The No. 3 Jayhawks will unveil Josh Selby, who coach Bill Self ...
Coach starts small to dream big
Coach Ritch Price reflects on his experiences throughout the years that led ...
Jayhawks win despite not having Selby for ...
Kansas wins a close game with Nebraska without its best freshman for ...
Bicyclist killed on Tennessee
Former KU student Rachel Leek was hit by a car in an ...
Victim's spouse indicted
Abnormal arms, but ample ability
How one student aims to transform disability's definition.
Lawrence police identify person of interest in ...
The suspect is a Lawrence man; his name has not been released.
Five questions: Blaise Miller and Josh Nathan
Two people. Five questions. See how they stack up.
Weighing the collateral damage
Iraqi war veterans have trouble justifying civilian casualties on urban battlefields in ...
KU grad student killed by suspected drunk ...
Student was helping move a disabled vehicle off interstate overpass in Merriam.
Q&A: Josh Steely of Daughtry
Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers.
Malicious Intimacy
Four students' experiences with domestic violence.
Templin Hall resident died from unknown causes
Police investigate slashed tires
Student recounts robbery, witness testimony
After testifying in court, one student remains wary as the case winds ...
Group opposes downtown crosswalk
Organization believes crosswalk hinders rather than helps the blind.
Man sentenced in death of KU student
Steven Kyle Cummins gets 41 months for drunken-driving killing of Dimitri Mavridorakis.
Motorcyclists remember life of fellow rider
Friends of Josh Skipton, who was killed in a a motorcycle accident, ...
Painted leaves become art project
A senior spread multicolored leaves on lawns on Jayhawk Boulevard to display ...
The Buc starts here
After troubled past, former Jayhawk Talib is ready to live his dream ...
Student athletes' discipline in question
The University is investigating potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
Baseball roots run deep for Jayhawks
Family ties to MLB play a big part in the lives of ...
Students and parents have resources
Whether they're a long distance or short ride away, students can feel ...
Catch of the Week: Ginny Brown
A weekly peek at another fish in the KU sea.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID