Clifford Helm's truck crossed the median and struck a car, killing five children and injuring one adult. Not long after, the family -- Mennonites -- said that they forgave him and didn't want him to be prosecuted. The Spokane County prosecutor did prosecute him, pointing to evidence that he had used a cell phone briefly before the crash. The defense suggested that he might have fainted because of a coughing fit. On Friday, a jury acquitted him.
The jury forewoman, Rebecca Backstrom, said it was a long, emotional trial. When asked if she believed Helm fainted before the crash, she said the prosecution didn’t prove that he hadn’t.Helm Acquitted of Vehicular Homicide, Spokesman Review, March 15, 2008.
She added: “I hope both families are at peace.”
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