Man Convicted In Crash Death Of Ingham County Sheriff's Deputy Chasing SUV
MASON, Mich. (AP/WWJ) - A man has been convicted in the death of an Ingham County sheriff's deputy who crashed while chasing an SUV late last year.
The Lansing State Journal reports John Kelsey, 24, of Stockbridge was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree fleeing police. He was also was convicted of driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Authorities say an officer in an unmarked sheriff's car began chasing the SUV on Dec. 7, 2014, after Kelsey — who had allegedly been drinking at two bars early that morning — failed to stop.
They say Deputy Grant Whitaker, 25, took over as lead pursuer in his marked vehicle when he lost control and crashed near Stockbridge, about 40 miles southeast of Lansing.
Defense attorney Brian Morley argued there wasn't video or photo evidence showing his client driving the SUV, and prosecutors agreed that was an issue — although evidence was presented that Kelsey called a friend to say he thought police had been chasing him, and another friend testified that he saw Kelsey talking to a metal scrapper later on Dec. 7.
The SUV hasn't been found.
"This is a circumstantial case," Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said after the verdict. "Those are always difficult. The state police did an outstanding job."
Sentencing is expected to take place next month.
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