A Hamilton County jury today acquitted a Dayton, Tenn., man of vehicular homicide by intoxication.
Bachar Martin, 27, was a passenger in a sport utility vehicle that caused a man’s death, but prosecutors said he was criminally responsible because he owned the vehicle and allowed a friend to drive it while intoxicated.
The jury was unable to decide on a DUI by consent charge, and Mr. Martin today pleaded guilty to that charge, a misdemeanor.
He could get up to 11 months behind bars and will be sentenced July 7.
Mr. Martin had testified in his own defense Wednesday, telling jurors he had no idea that his “former best friend” Jeremiah Mann was in no condition to drive home to Dayton, Tenn., after a day of drinking in Chattanooga.
Mr. Mann, also 27, pleaded guilty to driving the Lincoln Navigator that struck another car and killed Dwight Brooks in 2004.
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
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Aquittal. What kind? was it because the jury was deadlocked or was it becasue he was innocent.
I think it was deadlocked because he wanted to plea to the lesser charge even though he was aquitted.
Reason being the 2 charges are linked and with him pleading to the lesser charge means they cant charge him for the vehicular homicide again if more eveidence came to light.
He didnt plea becasue he was remorseful. He pleaded cause he knew he was guilty and Mr, Mann was telling the truth.
Mr. Martin has a smart Lawyer. Another guilty man walks away again from the judicial system.
If he plead guilty to the DUI by consent then he would be guilty of the vehicular homicide as well. He admits basically saying he allowed mr. Mann to drive the car. Which would make him an liable for the accident.
What a deal Mr. Martin gets a man dies and he atmost gets a 1 year.