Trial opens in Michigan crash that killed 5 bicyclists
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - A prosecutor says a Michigan motorist accused of running down nine bicyclists, killing five of them, was driving well above the speed limit and didn't apply his brakes until striking the first victim.
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Kanaby told jurors in his opening statement Tuesday that witnesses will testify they saw 52-year-old Charles Pickett of Battle Creek driving erratically before the 2016 crash.
Pickett is charged with 14 counts, including five each of second-degree murder and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs causing death. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Charles Pickett Jr. sits in court as his murder trial begins in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Police allege Pickett, now 52, of Battle Creek, had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he crashed his pickup truck into nine bicyclists, killing five, on June 7, 2016. Pickett faces five counts of second-degree murder and five counts of operating while under the influence causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury for the injuries caused to bicyclists (Mark Bugnaski/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)
The Kalamazoo Gazette reports defense attorney Keith Turpel said the evidence isn't enough to convict Pickett of murder. He said prosecutors must prove other elements, including Pickett's state of mind.
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Information from: Kalamazoo Gazette, http://www.mlive.com/kalamazoo
Sheila Jeske of Richland, left, one of the bicyclists injured in the crash, listens as the murder trial for Charles Pickett Jr. begins in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Police allege Pickett, now 52, of Battle Creek, had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he crashed his pickup truck into nine bicyclists, killing five, on June 7, 2016. Pickett faces five counts of second-degree murder and five counts of operating while under the influence causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury for the injuries caused to bicyclists. (Mark Bugnaski/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)
Sheila Jeske of Richland, left, one of the bicyclists injured in the crash, listens as the murder trial for Charles Pickett Jr. begins in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Police allege Pickett, now 52, of Battle Creek, had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he crashed his pickup truck into nine bicyclists, killing five, on June 7, 2016. Pickett faces five counts of second-degree murder and five counts of operating while under the influence causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury for the injuries caused to bicyclists. (Mark Bugnaski/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)
Charles Pickett Jr., second right, is lead in to Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Police allege Pickett, now 52, of Battle Creek, had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he crashed his pickup truck into nine bicyclists, killing five, on June 7, 2016. Pickett faces five counts of second-degree murder and five counts of operating while under the influence causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury for the injuries caused to bicyclists (Mark Bugnaski/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Kanaby stands in court as the murder trial for Charles Pickett Jr. begins in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Police allege Pickett, now 52, of Battle Creek, had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he crashed his pickup truck into nine bicyclists, killing five, on June 7, 2016. Pickett faces five counts of second-degree murder and five counts of operating while under the influence causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury for the injuries caused to bicyclists (Mark Bugnaski/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)