Superior Court Judge John Simpson heard a number of motions and potentially new evidence Monday, ahead of the trial of former Georgia State Patrolman A.J. Scott.
Scott was indicted by a grand jury in August of 2017 on two counts of second degree vehicular homicide, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, violating oath of a sworn office and a count each for speeding and reckless driving. These charges stemmed from a two-vehicle crash involving Scott as a driver in September of 2015, that resulted in the death of Kylie Lindsey and Isabella Chinchilla, who were passengers in a 2005 Nissan Sentra.
The state alleges that Scott was in his GSP vehicle, speeding at approximately 90 miles-per-hour in a 55 mph zone, five seconds before the crash. The state contends that Scott, while on duty but without activating his vehicleÂ’s blue lights, was traveling well above the speed limit at the time of the crash.
On Monday, a pre-trial-motions-hearing suggested evidence that the driver of the Sentra was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
During the motions hearing, ScottÂ’s attorney, Mac Pilgrim presented evidence that alcohol may have been in the system of the NissanÂ’s driver, Dylan Wall.
After the crash, photos were taken of the Nissan Sentra. The pictures present a Bud Light box in the vehicle.
Also, a paramedic with West Georgia Ambulance the night of the incident, Jessica Polk, testified that Dylan Wall, when asked if he had been drinking, answered yes. Polk also stated that Wall exhibited signs of intoxication.
The state argued that the term “drinking” did not confirm drinking alcohol and that signs of intoxication are similar to signs of a person with head injuries.
Chief Judge John Simpson ruled that all evidence involving alcohol in the vehicle and the testimony of several witnesses that testified that it was possible that Wall had alcohol in his system were admissible in court.
Scott’s attorney, Mac Pilgrim told WLBB Radio: “I am looking forward to having the whole story come out and that would include the use of alcohol by Mr. Wall, the alcohol in the car and the failure to yield by turning left by Mr. Wall. I don’t think that story has gotten told very well. I don’t think that has gotten told completely. Some of it, from our side, was that we were not trying to drag these young people’s families through the mud. We were not attempting  to impugn their character whatsoever. But we are at a point now where my client’s life and liberty lay in the balance.”
Motions to quash the trial and demur the trial by the defense were denied by Chief Judge Simpson.
A.J. ScottÂ’s trial begins on March 25th.
written by: WLBB Reporter, Luke Lukert news@newstalk1330.com
Â
