June 01, 2010
Man Accused of Killing Angels Pitcher Wants Change of Venue
Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed along with two friends in April 2009.
SANTA ANA -- The suspected drunken driver charged in connection with the crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others wants his trial moved outside of Orange County.
An attorney for Andrew Thomas Gallo filed a motion Friday saying Gallo can't get a fair trial in Orange County where the Angels have a huge fan base and there's enormous sympathy for the victims.
Gallo, 23, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder for the April 2009 deaths of Adenhart and his friends Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson, a 25-year-old law student from Manhattan Beach.
Authorities said Gallo's blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit when he ran a red light in Fullerton and the van he was driving hit the Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar.
Jon Wilhite, of Manhattan Beach, was critically injured but survived, even though his skull had to be reattached to his spine.
Adenhart, 22, had pitched six scoreless innings just hours before the accident. A picture of Adenhart was added to the outfield wall at Angel Stadium after his death, and a black patch with Adenhart's name and number 34 was added to the uniform of each Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim player.
Gallo had a prior drunken driving conviction from 2006 and was driving with a suspended license.
He faces 54 years to life in prison if convicted on all counts.
A hearing on the change of venue motion is scheduled for July 16.
Contact Info
- FAY ARFA, A Law Corporation
10100 Santa Monica Boulevard,
Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Toll-Free 800-984-8422
Phone: 310-841-6805
Fax: 310-841-0817
Email: info@bestdefender.com
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