Emily Ridley kills friend, escapes justice. Thanks Sgt. Todd Cohen.

[Unamused Cat]

Emily Ridley, Brandon Newton

MySpace: "Thankful" http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=51499037

LANCASTER, N.H. -- The driver of a car involved in a fatal crash was found not guilty of vehicular assault this week after an expert witness was unable to testify. Brandon Newton, 17, was killed last summer in a car crash on a Lancaster road last summer. His close friend, Emily Ridley, was driving the car.

"The car hit the embankment and was airborne for between 15 and 20 feet before it struck the pavement," said Becky Newton, Brandon Newton's mother. Prosecutors filed a misdemeanor vehicular assault charge against Ridley, and the case went to trial in Littleton, N.H. It ended with a guilty verdict, but lawyers appealed and were granted another trial.

Prosecutors relied on state police Sgt. Todd Cohen for testimony. "He was the lead investigator," Becky Newton said. "He was the technical accident reconstructionist, and he was an expert."

Prosecutors expected him at the appeal this week, but Cohen clipped two bicyclists with his cruiser last week in Jefferson, N.H., throwing the prosecution into a tailspin. "I knew it was a disaster when I saw on the news on Thursday night that he had his own accident," Becky Newton said.

The prosecutor asked a judge at Coos County Superior Court to delay the trial because Cohen was unable to appear following the accident. But after communication between the prosecutor, the defense and the judge, the trial started.

Without Cohen's testimony, Ridley was acquitted. "I understand both sides," said prosecutor Keith Clouatre. "I'm incredibly disappointed in Trooper Cohen not coming in."

"We had a pretty good idea of what the outcome would be," Becky Newton said. "That it would be difficult -- if not impossible -- for us to get a conviction." Defense attorney said that Cohen's testimony wouldn't have changed the verdict, but Clouatre said the testimony was vital.

State police said they worked to meet the requirements of the hearing, providing paperwork to prosecutors to help them delay the trial, but Clouatre said the trial had already started. Clouatre said he had an opportunity to force Cohen into court to testify, but he said he didn't think it was in Cohen's best interest. Yah, it is always good to let a killer go free.

http://www.wmur.com/news/17560032/detail.html#-

[Lynntoast]

Im not sure I understand why this girl was being charged. I didn't see where drugs or alcohol were involved. An accident is just that.. and accident. Maybe Im missing something?

[Boondock]

Kind of wondering about that myself, Lynn. I assume there must have been some pretty reckless driving going on for them to get the first guilty verdict. But still, teenagers do that all the time and they aren't charged. I'd be willing to bet that the young man in the car was probably egging her on if this was the case. Can't really form an opinion without more info.

[Aelwynn]

The car hit the embankment and was airborne for between 15 and 20 feet before it struck the pavement

Seems like she lost control and was going pretty fast. That's a far distance for a car to be in the AIR before it hits the ground.

[Unamused Cat]

Im not sure I understand why this girl was being charged. I didn't see where drugs or alcohol were involved. An accident is just that.. and accident. Maybe Im missing something?

It had to be just more than a regular accident for charges to have been filed and for her to have been convicted the first time. Reckless driving, such as excessive speed and gross dumb ass driving can result in charges being filed. Sgt. Cohen was an accident reconstructionist. Ridley's speed was one thing he would have determined.

Brandon Newton's MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=111853955

Just one of the comments:

Sep 25 2008 7:30 AM

Brandon Lost his Life due to speed ..

BUT Emily's Family Believes their Daughter did nothing..

But let us look back..

1. bad tires who fault was that?? EMILY
2.Speeding on wet road who fault was that?? Emily
3.Being resonsible for all passengers having seatbelts on??EMILY
4.Driving on wrong side of road that night???EMILY

See the pattern but Funny in Court they Blamed a person who Lost his Life They turned it around and Blamed Brandon...

[Unamused Cat]

I received mail at my MySpace, who wants the truth to be known.

Please Post on the site as I can not it says That Emily was Driving to fast and on Wrong side of the Road and Slid 125 feet before Hitting Rock and going Air Bound..Emily was responsible or They would not have found her Guilty and givin her 6 months in First trial. Emily's Family has Money and as we all know Money Buys everything nowadays..This day it bought her being innocent.

Emily had been speeding all Day long and No Brandon was not egging her own in fact When Emily was driving on Wrong Side of Road when taking the corner she was going head on to a car of a Young Mother and Her young Daughter and Niece in Car..and If not For BRANDON taking wheel Emily would of killed more then Just brandon This night she was head on with the other car..Also They keep says Brandon was not wearing a seatbelt and if he was he would still be alive. THIS IS BULLSHIT..The ssg already said it would not of made a differnce and did they post NOBODY was wearing a seatbealt that night of July 2nd?? NO so why are all the others okay with no seatbeats?? EMILY AS THE DRIVER WAS RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE THEM PUT ON SEATBELTS AS WELL AS HERSELF EXCEPT FOR 1 PERSON WHO WAS 22 THAT WAS HIS CHOICE...

If people do not know the Story they should not Judge before they know the Facts..Did they tell you the Seat Brandon was sitting in Broke right sideways?? NO So tell me if not speeding and Hitting hard why did seat break ?? The seat belt would not of saved him as it was not attached when seat broke so on or off like police said Brandon Died..Why was she speeding on this Night in rain on a sharp corner???

SHE IS GUILTY AND JUST DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR HER ACTION THE NIGHT SHE TORE OUR FAMILY APART :(

Tell the ppl the truth not What they Hear