Lawyer Blames Bad Bicycle Brakes For Wis. Fatality
HUDSON, Wis. (AP) -- The defense lawyer for a former University of Wisconsin-Stout hockey player charged with killing a fellow student in a bicycle crash last year says the victim was drunk and his bicycle had bad brakes.
The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reports the felony murder trial of 23-year-old Jared C. Britton of Maplewood, Minn., began Tuesday in Hudson.
Defense attorney Earl Gray claims 22-year-old Bradley L. Simon's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit to drive when he died. Gray also claims Simon was riding a bicycle with no back brakes.
Simon died from head injuries after authorities say he was shoved off the bike and into a wall in downtown Menomonie. Police say the altercation followed a dispute in a bar over a Britton's sweatshirt.
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