Judge declares mistrial in highway deaths case

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001 | 11:27 a.m.

District Judge Mark Gibbons this morning declared a mistrial in the Jessica Williams involuntary manslaughter case.

Gibbons, without going into details, said that because of improprieties that were discovered Tuesday it would be best to declare a mistrial.

Jurors had already been sworn in and read the charges in the Williams case when the parties learned that a juror on the case had reportedly made up her mind as to Williams' guilt.

A juror on another case told Gibbons that she was in the jury lounge Tuesday morning when she heard the woman, who hadn't yet been selected in the case, express her views.

Officials said Gibbons had two choices. One was to declare a mistrial and start the jury selection process all over again and the other was to dismiss the juror and replace her with an alternate juror.

The juror in question is the same juror who on Monday during jury selection initially said Williams would have to prove her innocence to her. Once the concept of "innocent until proven guilty" was explained to her, the juror said she could accept that idea.

Prospective jurors in the Margaret Rudin murder case, who were supposed to fill out questionnaires in that case, will instead be asked today to fill out a 32-page jury questionnaire for the Williams case. The actual jury selection process will begin Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

Williams, 21, is accused of running over and killing six teenagers as they picked up trash in the median of Interstate 15 on March 19.

Prosecutors contend Williams passed out while under the influence of marijuana and Ecstasy, while her attorney says she simply fell asleep.

Those killed were Malena Stoltzfus, Rebeccah Glicken, Jennifer Booth, Anthony Smith, Scott Garner Jr. and Alberto Puig. They were 14 to 16 years old.

Williams has been charged with six counts each of reckless driving, involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of a controlled or prohibited substance. She has also been charged with one count each of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Williams faces up to 120 years if convicted.