Wednesday, November 20, 2002
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Wednesday, November 20, 2002 |
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McCrary says she's innocent in car chase murder charge By JOHN MUNFORD
A Jonesboro woman accused of killing an innocent Peachtree City motorist in a crash while she was being chased by police last July pleaded not guilty to murder and vehicular homicide charges in court Friday morning. Lorraine McCrary, 37, also pled not guilty to the remaining charges stemming from the wreck, including attempting to elude a police officer, speeding, a child safety restraint violation and two counts of reckless conduct. The crash killed Chuck Vicha of Peachtree City as he attempted to turn left onto Ga. Highway 54 just outside the eastern city limits the evening of July 27, according to police. Three children in McCrary's car at the time of the crash were also injured. McCrary was being pursued by officers from the Luthersville Police Department moments before the accident. Peachtree City police officers blocked off major intersections in on Hwy. 54 in the city to protect the public. McCrary, who is in rehabilitation from her injuries suffered in the crash, entered and left the courtroom in a wheelchair Friday morning. She is incarcerated at a jail facility outside Fayette County that specializes in providing medical treatment for prisoners. After the crash, Fayette County Sheriff's detectives found numerous forged financial documents in her vehicle, leading law enforcement officials to speculate that was why she fled the Luthersville officers. McCrary's bond hearing was postponed until Tuesday, Nov. 26 because a witness who may testify on her behalf was unable to appear Friday, according to attorneys. The trial is slated for Monday, Dec. 2. The crash led Peachtree City Police Chief James Murray to ask Gov. Roy Barnes to create legislation to restrict when police may conduct high-speed pursuits of suspects. Barnes later declined to do so, stating police need to have a certain amount of leeway to make chase decisions in certain situations. Murray and other law enforcement personnel later testified at a Georgia Senate subcommittee hearing on the issue that was hosted by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg). During that hearing, several officials testified that police officers and sheriff's deputies receive little training on high-speed pursuits while at police academy. Georgia state troopers, however, receive more extensive training in how to end high-speed pursuits, officials said.
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