Trial postponed for man accused of causing crash that killed 4 people
By Laura Rillos KVAL News and KVAL.com Staff
EUGENE, Ore. -- The trial for a man accused of driving drunk and causing the deadliest car crash in memory was postponed Wednesday. A new date has not been set. Trial for Matthew Ellmers, 24, was set to begin March 10. Under Oregon law, any defendant who is in jail has the right to go to trial within 60 days of arrest. Ellmers waived that right in a hearing at the Lane County Courthouse. His lawyer, Bradley Cascagnette, said he needed more time to review the evidence. Ellmers' attorney also requested that KVAL News not shoot footage of Ellmers in his jail clothes out of concern that showing him might taint the jury pool. Judge Mary Ann Bearden disagreed and allowed a KVAL television camera to film the proceedings. KVAL provided footage to other TV stations as part of a sharing agreement. Ellmers has pleaded not guilty to four counts of manslaughter and one count each of assault, DUI and reckless driving. If convicted on all charges, he could face over 40 years in prison. The charges stem from a fatal car crash in west Eugene. Police believe Ellmers drove drunk, ran a red light and hit an SUV with five people inside. Four of them -- two adults and two children -- died instantly. The fifth, a young boy, was seriously injured. His father has sued Ellmers, the owner of the car and two places where Ellmers is alleged to have consumed alcohol before the crash. |
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