Woman Charged In Deadly Police Pursuit To Stand Trial
NEW CASTLE (KDKA) -- The woman accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in Lawrence County last month that ended with the death of a police officer was back in court Thursday for a hearing.
A Lawrence County Central Court judge ruled that all of Kylee Barletto's charges will go to trial. That includes homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.
In testimony at the preliminary hearing of Barletto, Officer Lynch - who was with Det. Jerry McCarthy the night of May 2 - went into detail about how the fatal crash happened that night.
The family cried when Barletto was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs, as well as numerous other times when the horrifying details of how their father was found after Barletto's red Sunfire crashed into the passenger side of the Shenago police cruiser.
The prosecution says Barletto led New Castle police on a dangerous chase through town after she refused to stop when a New Castle officer saw her driving erratically.
When backup was called out through county 911 dispatch, McCarthy and Lynch were sent out.
Lynch testified that it was less than a minute after turning onto South Cascade Street and Warren Avenue that Barletto's car crashed into the passenger-side of the cruiser, killing McCarthy.
Joshua Lamancusa, the prosecutor said, "They were trying to get ahead of the pursuit... spike sticks down. They just never got that opportunity."
The defense argued Barletto should only face an involuntary manslaughter charge for McCarthy's death as she had no intention to ever kill an officer during the pursuit and that radio communication through the various police agencies involved was lacking.
The judge reduced Barletto's bond from $250,000 to $100,000 straight cash and house arrest.
RELATED LINKS:
Officer Killed, Another Injured In High-Speed Chase (5/3/13)
Woman Accused Of Leading Police On Chase, Killing Officer In Court (5/13/13)
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