OPINION: Putting The Blame On The Victims — That’s What We’ll See At Former Milford Cop’s Trial

Sep 062012

THIS IS AN OPINION PIECE

This story written by my former coworker, Jill Dion at the Milford Mirror appears on the Amity Observer website.

In it, the high powered attorney hired by former Milford Police Officer Jason Anderson shows his hand — he’ll place the blame of a fatal crash on June 13, 2009, involving Anderson and Orange teens David Servin and Ashlie Krakowski, both 19, — on the kids.

According to the story, Dion wrote that Keefe objected to the state wanting to keep out evidence that “Servin, had a blood alcohol content of 0.14% and that he did not come to a complete stop before turning into Anderson’s path.”

Keefe also reportedly wants to move the trial to Litchfield County so Anderson can get a “fair trial.” How is any of this fair to the victims’ family members?

I was the editor of the Amity Observer when this tragedy occurred and I still say, Ashlie and David never had a chance, no matter what this attorney uncovers or says.

At the speed Anderson was traveling (94 mph) with no lights or siren while NOT responding to a call, I don’t think anyone could have been safe that night — even if they were drinking Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee and came to a complete stop AT A FLASHING light and then turned down the road a block away from their home as they had done a hundred times before.

David and Ashlie are the victims. Always remember that. You may disagree with me, but please do not put any negative comments about these kids on this site — save them for the daily newspaper site.

Ashlie was going to be a nurse. She’d just passed her EMT certification, which takes a lot of concentration and dedication.

David was planning to be a social worker.

They were not bad kids, they both had bright futures ahead of them with dreams of going into professions where they could help others.

This is going to be a nasty trial, I do not look forward to the ugliness that will follow. I only ask you to put yourselves in Ashlie’s dad’s car 30 seconds before the collision. Think about it, who is to blame?

I’ve included a chart below showing the standards for blood alcohol content so you can see what Keefe is working with.