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PREVIOUSLY
- Last Night on Broadway in Eureka, a Suspected Drunk Driver Struck a Road Worker in an Active Construction Zone, Causing Major Injuries, CHP Says
- COURT ROUNDUP: Suspected Drunk Driver, Accused of Seriously Injuring Road Worker Wednesday, Was on DUI Probation
- Ronnie Franklin, the Road Construction Worker Struck by a Suspected Drunk Driver Last Week, Has Succumbed to His Injuries
- Selah Town Re-Arrested and on Murder Charge for Alleged Drunk-Driving Incident That Killed Road Worker Ronnie Franklin
- Woman Accused of Striking Road Worker Initially Tested With Over Double the Legal Limit of Blood Alcohol Content, Will be Charged with Murder
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A woman accused of murder for allegedly striking a road worker while driving drunk earlier this month will remain in jail without the option of posting bail.
Selah Town previously sought to be released while awaiting trial, but the Public Defender’s Office announced during a hearing on the matter today they were withdrawing this request.
Town was charged with murder after 20-year-old Ronnie Franklin died from complications of a surgery treating injuries sustained in a September 16 collision. Town, 26, is accused of crashing an SUV into Franklin while driving with over double the legal limit of alcohol in her system. Town has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Deputy Public Defender Emery Welton, on behalf of attorney Ryan McClurg, told a judge today the defense wanted to withdraw the earlier request for her to be released.
The courtroom was packed with Franklin’s loved ones. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees told the judge nearly 100 statements opposing Town’s release had been collected, and Franklin’s mother sought to address the court. He noted the court may want to hear the statements later, if another hearing of its kind is scheduled.
Judge Lawrence Killoran said this would be more appropriate, and statements were not read. He said he’d keep the bail as currently set — she’ll continue to be held without bail.
Welton told the court that additional time was needed to review evidence the defense doesn’t yet have, including video and toxicology results. Town, wearing a standard navy jumpsuit, agreed to waive her right to a speedy trial with a soft “yes.”
A hearing was set for December 10.
Town was charged with murder after being arrested a second time for the collision last week. She faces additional felonies for allegedly injuring the man while driving drunk with a recent DUI conviction, and added sentencing enhancements for allegedly causing brain injury and driving with a high Blood Alcohol Content.
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