Jurors to see site of three deaths

Kim Smith

Monday, March 4, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Jurors who must decide the guilt or innocence of a man accused of causing an accident that killed three people last year on U.S. 95 will likely be taken to the scene this week.

Court officials are in the process of renting a bus for the Mitchell Dettloff case, said Michael Sommermeyer, a District Court spokesman.

Jury selection was to start this morning in District Judge Joseph Bonaventure's courtroom.

The tour of the scene would likely take place Tuesday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said.

Prosecutors allege Dettloff, 36, lost control of his vehicle April 22 while driving on U.S. 95. They say it forced a pickup carrying a family to strike another vehicle head-on near Craig Road.

Benjamin Barton, 8, was killed along with his mother, Holly Barton, 33, and the driver of the other vehicle, Brian Cooper, 30. James Barton, 32, was critically injured, but has since recovered.

Dettloff was arrested three days after the accident while staying at the Rio hotel in a room rented by his fiancee.

Dettloff was indicted May 8 on four counts each of leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving and three counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors allege Dettloff got out of his car a short distance from the accident and yelled obscenities at the dying victims.

Prosecutors have also found witnesses who say Dettloff spent many hours after the accident drinking and receiving lap dances at a local topless club. Witnesses say Dettloff went to the tow yard the next day to look at the wrecked vehicles, too.

Defense attorney Richard Wright said he believes the people at the topless club are mistaken and the witnesses of the yelling and tow yard incident are less than credible.

Booker said he expects to call between 30 and 40 witnesses.

Among the witnesses to be called by the defense are accident reconstructionists. Wright also is asking Bonaventure for permission to call mental health experts.