The action was a simulated court trial to account for charges that were “filed” after the simulated accident.
Lt. Phil Stubblefield of the Meeker Police Department organized the event.
The District Attorney’s Office provided the district attorney and the defense attorney.
Judge Laurie Noble presided over the trial.
Patty Merriam testified on behalf of the Meeker Emergency Medical Service.
Jim Amick testified on behalf of the Meeker Police Department.
Kim Cook testified on behalf of the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office.
And Nick Burri, who was the only survivor of the “accident” except the driver, was out sick, so his stand-in, Layton Bair, testified as the survivor.
Senior T.J. Shelton was on trial and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, careless driving causing bodily injury, driving under the influence and texting while driving.
The jury, consisting of his peers, found Shelton “guilty” on all counts, and Judge Nobel sentenced him to three consecutive 10-year sentences in prison and one year each for texting and driving and for careless driving causing bodily injury.
The high school students and the Barone Middle School eighth grade watched the trial.
All students debriefed with their teachers after the trial, and it was clear that the trial helped the students understand the consequences of drinking and driving.
