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Uploaded: Monday, February 11, 2008, 5:37 PM
Third continuance issued in drunk driving case
Attorney for Katie McKewon asks for plea delay to re-test blood samples
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by Janet Pelletier
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
| A judge in the case against 19-year-old Katie McKewon granted a request to continue the case to April 11.
In the hearing this morning at the Pleasanton courthouse, Kirk Elliot, who is representing the teen, said he wanted to re-test blood samples that McKewon gave to authorities after a car accident that killed her passenger, 19-year-old Laurel Williams.
The Oct. 20 accident occurred in the morning along Foothill Road, just north of Highland Oaks Drive. McKewon, at the wheel, allegedly crossed over the center divide, crashing head-on into a Mercedes SUV, killing Williams and seriously injuring the driver of the Mercedes.
She was arrested in November on a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter and four counts of felony drunk driving causing great bodily injury. Police said tests showed McKewon had a blood alcohol level of .23, more than three times the legal limit for persons over the age of 21. Those younger than 21 cannot have any measurable amount of alcohol in their system, according to state law.
When McKewon was arrested, she had been staying in an alcohol rehabilitation facility. Elliot told the judge this morning that his client has been attending alcohol classes since she's been in custody.
This is the third time the case against McKewon has been continued. The defendant was expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Also continued was a prior incident that occurred last June, where McKewon was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Both hearings have been scheduled by Judge Christine Moruza for April 11.
In a related matter, charges against Brentwood resident Paul Stonebarger, 21, who was arrested in connection with providing alcohol for the party that McKewon and Williams attended the night before the accident, will be heard Wednesday when Stonebarger is expected to enter a plea.
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| Comments
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Posted by chris, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Feb 14, 2008 at 11:40 am Does anyone know how Laurel's mom is doing....I don't know her, but think of her often and pray for her soul to have some peace....
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Posted by wondering, a resident of another community, on Feb 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm What happened at Paul Stonebarger's hearing on Wednesday?
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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Feb 17, 2008 at 11:10 am NO MERCY FOR DRUNK DRIVERS THAT KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE!
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Posted by information, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2008 at 7:49 am Paul's case was continued until April 9th.
Laurel, no disrespect, was not innocent.
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Posted by Melissa, a resident of the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood, on Feb 25, 2008 at 2:30 am how was Laurel not innocent?
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Posted by chris, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Feb 25, 2008 at 10:17 am Melissa: I think the point of that comment was that it would have been laurel driving and katie killed, that's all....everyone loses here and if she was your friend I am so sorry....I often think of Laurel's mom and wonder how she is....I mean, I can't imagine, I just can't but I pray for her often....
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Posted by information, a resident of another community, on Feb 27, 2008 at 12:08 pm What I meant by saying that Laurel was not innocent, is that she made an adult decision to get into the car with someone who she knew was drunk.
Both girls were drunk that morning and I truly believe that if it was Laurel's car waiting for the girls when they were dropped off she would have drove as well. I am sure this wasn't the first time either of these girls drove drunk.
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Posted by Melissa, a resident of the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood, on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:01 pm It was 10 in the morning. And i understand that she probably drank the night before but katie drank that morning before they left.
Im not trying to back Laurel up but if it was up to her she actually probably wouldnt have driven! I've known Laurel for over 10 years and have partyed with her and u cant blame her for something that she really couldnt control! So she actually is innocent.
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Posted by information, a resident of another community, on Feb 28, 2008 at 8:34 am She did have control over whether or not she got into the car, so she isn't completely innocent, she made bad decisions that cost her her life that fateful morning too. They were dropped off at another friends house, she could have stayed there; her "boyfriend" dropped them off, she could have asked him to take her home; everybody has cell phones, she could have called somebody.
And I am not so sure about Laurel not drinking that morning, from what I have heard, check your facts, what was Laurel's blood alcohol level at that time?
I am in no way saying that Katie didn't make horrible decisions that morning. I understand that what Katie did was against the law and she is and will do her time for that. And remember Katie will always have to live with what happened that morning, so even when she is done in jail/prison (which isn't going to be easy), she will still punish herself for the rest of her life.
I am so sorry for your loss and I understand your anger but I think, without blame, you are believing what you want to, rather than the facts. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Posted by Jerry, a resident of the Oak Hill neighborhood, on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:47 pm Melissa,
Since you also "party", please DON"T EVER put your self, or allow others to put you, in a situtation such as the one that took your friends life. Please, we don't want to lose you too...
Remember, another totally innocent person was seriously injured in this accident. She could very easily have lost her life.
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Mar 5, 2008 at 4:14 pm KATIE = KILLER DRUNK DRIVER! NO MERCY!
I'LL BE AT THE TRIAL AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE KILLER DRUNK DRIVER'S SENTENCE. I PRAY EVERYDAY THAT SHE GETS 30YRS, NO MORE NO LESS!
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Posted by Chris, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Mar 6, 2008 at 4:37 pm Cholo - you pray? To what God....because mine is a forgiving God and their is no room for the resentment in your heart. May I suggest you look within....sad.
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Posted by Bill, a resident of the Canyon Meadows neighborhood, on Mar 8, 2008 at 6:09 pm Already drinking? Good parenting skills! LOSERS!!
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Posted by Amber Wood, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Mar 8, 2008 at 6:11 pm Go to church! Save yourself!!
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Posted by Jeb Bing, editor of the Pleasanton Weekly, on Mar 9, 2008 at 7:47 am
Jeb Bing is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com This thread has run its course. Thanks for posting.
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