Boat Driver Charged In Last Summer's Fatal Hudson River Crash Makes Court Appearance
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - The man charged in the boating accident that killed a Rockland County bride-to-be and her groom's best man was back in court Tuesday.
As WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported, the judge has reportedly ruled that the case against Jojo John can proceed under the 18-count indictment and the toxicology tests can be used in the case.
Prosecutors say John was under the influence and at the controls of the 19-foot power boat as it slammed into a construction barge last July, killing Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon.
John pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and other charges in the 18 count indictment last fall.
John's attorney David Narain has waged a fight that the crash is rooted in conditions around the Tappan Zee construction barges.
"The cause of this accident was not intoxication or impairment. The cause of this accident was a lack of lighting on those barges in the Hudson River," Narain said previously. "We're looking forward to our day in court to present the evidence that we have discovered to show that there are two sides to this story and to show that intoxication or impairment was not the cause of this accident."
John reportedly made incriminating statements on the night of the crash.
The judge has yet to rule on the use of those alleged remarks, as well as other evidence gathered by investigators.
Narain will meet with prosecutors before the case returns to court on May 9.
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