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Nicholas S. Gaines, 18, of Ijamsville, was indicted on nine criminal and traffic charges in connection with the fatal crash into a tree beside Md. 75 south of Lawson Road. |
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A four-day trial for the driver in a March 10 automobile crash that killed an Urbana High School student is scheduled to begin Feb. 5 in Frederick County Circuit Court.Tyler Murray was 16 when he died. A grand jury indicted Nicholas S. Gaines, 18, of Ijamsville, on Aug. 17, on nine criminal and traffic charges in connection with the fatal crash into a tree beside Md. 75 south of Lawson Road. The most serious charge, manslaughter by automobile, carries a penalty of as much as 10 years in the Maryland Division of Correction and a $5,000 fine. During a pretrial conference Monday, lawyers for the prosecution and the defense had Judge Theresa M. Adams set a follow-up status conference for Nov. 5. Assistant State's Attorney Kirsten N. Brown has not extended any plea offers to defense attorney Thomas M. DeGonia II. "I will make (an offer) based on conversations with the family," Brown said, adding that she met with the Murray family Friday. Gaines did not address the court Monday. At DeGonia's request, Adams excused Gaines from the November status conference. Gaines works and attends school, his lawyer said. During the five-month investigation before the grand jury indictment, sheriff's deputies and investigators at the state's attorney's office looked into reports that adults gave Murray and Gaines alcohol at a party in the Windsor Knolls development the night the crash occurred. Investigators were unable to find evidence to substantiate the claims, prosecutors have said.
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