KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Testimony resumed Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of murdering five people when he drove his pickup truck into a group of bicyclists north of Kalamazoo in 2016.
A witness identified Charles Pickett Jr. in court for the first time Wednesday. She testified she heard the crash, ran to the scene and heard a cyclist calling for help.
Debbie Bradley, Melissa Fevig-Hughes, Tony Nelson, Larry Paulik and Suzanne Sippel were killed in the crash. Four other cyclists who were part of their group, called The Chain Gang, were injured.
Several members of the group testified about what happened and the injuries they suffered Wednesday morning.
After a day and a half of jury selection, the prosecution and defense gave opening statementsTuesday afternoon.
Kalamazoo County prosecutors told jurors the evidence shows Pickett took pain pills and muscle relaxers before the June 7, 2016, crash on Westnedge Avenue in Cooper Township, that he was speeding and that he didn't break until after he hit the first bicyclist.
"When Mr. Pickett entered their life, sudden and abruptly, without warning, these nine people were run over from behind," the prosecutor said.
The defense didn't deny that Pickett was behind the wheel when the crash happened, but argued what he did doesn't constitute murder.
"Start with the presumption of innocence," Pickett's attorney reminded jurors.
Pickett is standing trial on five counts of second-degree murder, five counts of driving while intoxicated causing death and four counts of reckless driving causing impairment.
The prosecution called one witness Tuesday. It will continue working its way through its witness list Wednesday.
The court is not allowing the trial to be streamed live online, but 24 Hour News 8 reporters will be in the courtroom and will be tweeting updates. 24 Hour News 8 will also have daily updates on air and online.