ATV death case goes to jury today

Steve McConnell

HONESDALE - The fate of a man accused of an alcohol-fueled all-terrain vehicle crash which killed a friend last year is in the hands of a jury today.

Closing statements were made late Wednesday afternoon in the case of Mark Renehan, 22, who allegedly was driving under the influence of alcohol when he rolled an ATV on the morning of July 5, 2009, instantly killing Jonathon Daniel Byram.

First Assistant District Attorney Patrick L. Robinson pointed to testimony offered by two state police troopers who smelled a "moderate" odor of alcohol on the defendant's breath, and that he refused to take a field-sobriety test or have his blood drawn for chemical testing.

"Can you think there is a reason why he might not want to give blood?" Mr. Robinson asked the jury.

Countering testimony given by Mr. Renehan and his family that the accused consumed only three beers over a nearly 10-hour period, Mr. Robinson likened that to what a person driving under the influence tells a police officer.

"What do they tell the cops? 'I had two beers,' " Mr. Robinson said.

Mr. Renehan was charged in November with homicide by vehicle while driving intoxicated, DUI, homicide by motor vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter.

He had invited Mr. Byram, 19, of Maryland, to his father's summer home in Manchester Twp. for a family reunion, which the prosecution billed as a "party" and the defense called a "picnic."

The three-day trial has seen the defendant take the stand and push back against allegations he was responsible for the death of his college roommate and best friend in emotionally charged testimony.

Mr. Renehan denied he was driving recklessly around a sharp curve on a remote dirt road in Manchester Twp., although he could not answer why or how the Kawasaki Teryx flipped when cross-examined by Mr. Robinson.

Defense attorney Randy Borden cast the prosecution's case as built on "assumptions" and "opinion."

Mr. Borden added that having alcohol on one's breath is not an indicator of intoxication. "The police want to twist it," he said. "That's all they have."

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Source: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/atv-death-case-goes-to-jury-today-1.1036870

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