Drunk Driver Charged In Trooper Death Returns To Court
BROCKTON (CBS) – A man who served time in prison for driving drunk and hitting a state trooper was back in court Thursday to face new charges in the case.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
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26-year-old William Senne pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on motor vehicle homicide charges in Brockton Superior Court.
Senne was 18 when he drove drunk at almost 100 miles-an-hour on Route 25 and crashed into State Trooper Ellen Engelhardt's cruiser in Wareham in July 2003.
Senne was convicted in 2005, served two-and-a-half-years in prison and settled a civil lawsuit.
Engelhardt lived eight years with severe brain injuries before passing away in June at age 58.
Her death prompted prosecutors to file the upgraded charges.
Senne's attorney Dan O'Malley told reporters Thursday they are dealing with old evidence.
"That's the nature of it. It couldn't go any sooner. It's unsual, but we'll deal with it."
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said it won't matter.
"We always knew, unfortunately, that the injuries to the trooper were significant and I think the injuries, obviously in this case, they caused her death."
Senne was released on a promise to return to court for his next hearing.
He is still on probation for the 2005 conviction.
If he is convicted on the new charge, the two-and-a-half years he has already served in prison will be applied to the new sentence.
