Woman not guilty of manslaughter for fatal crash

February 02, 2010

Jennett's family hugs her after the verdicts of not guilty are read. (Bill Costello/KTUU-DT)

by Megan Baldino
Monday, February 01, 2010

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- An Anchorage father says he is relieved after a jury found his daughter not guilty of manslaughter for a fatal car wreck on the Seward Highway in July of 2008.

Josh Jennett called the charges against his daughter, Danielle, ridiculous.

It was relief in an Anchorage courtroom Monday afternoon.

Danielle Jennett was acquitted of manslaughter in the July 2008 Seward Highway fatal accident that killed her passenger Riley McVitty and the driver of an oncoming pick-up truck, Jeffrey McClure.

Jennett crossed the double-yellow line slamming into McClure's pick-up.

Her attorney said it was nothing more than a tragic accident.

"The state has introduced no evidence of alcohol impairment, no evidence of drug impairment, no evidence of speeding, no evidence of any bad driving other than crossing the center line and (being) involved in a fatal car accident," said defense attorney Paul Stockler.

The state argued Jennett was reckless.

"She crossed the center median for a prolonged enough period of time to cause a head-on collision, and to prevent Mr. McClure from making any other move but to try to, at the last minute," prosecutor Clint Campion argued.

The prosecution's argument wasn't enough to sway a jury, which only needed a few hours to return a verdict.

Jennett believes she was being made an example of.

"Because of all the accidents that happened the past two summers," she said.

Josh Jennett says it's time for people to start questioning the judicial system.

"We've finally got some justice after 18 months of a ridiculous case based on revenge and politics; that's all it's been," he said.

Though they declined to comment today, the families of the victims were hoping for a different outcome.

The Jennetts hope everyone can begin to heal.

"I'm very, very sorry that this accident happened," Jennett said.

Her trial lasted about a day and half and the jury took less than two hours to return a verdict.

Contact Megan Baldino at mbaldino@ktuu.com

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