#WeekInJustice: Week 184
Earlier this week, People’s Office released messaging to educate the public and clear up misinformation about what happens when those who are accused of a crime make their initial court appearances and the issues with our cash bail system. Here’s a link to a story that ran on KOLD last night.
Rachel Styles and Peter Raptis are in trial this week on a double negligent homicide case. The defendant was texting and driving and rear-ended a vehicle in front of her, sending that car into oncoming traffic. The two young people in the rear-ended vehicle were killed. This prosecution is groundbreaking for Pima County: it is the first prosecution here where texting and diving alone are alleged to be the cause of the two deaths. The trial is expected to run into next week.
In another case expected to last into next week, Dawn Aspacher and Tai Summers are trying a case that came back on a petition for post-conviction relief. This case is a First-Degree Murder and Child Abuse case of an infant. The involves intense, complicated testimony from expert witnesses on shaken baby syndrome.
We wish all of our prosecutors and supporting staff the best in their efforts to find justice for the victims.
Until next week.
PCAO Senior Leadership Team
