ChrisJones
01-11-2008, 08:42 PM
This is news about one of my good friends that has been in jail since October:
State prosecutors claim Bonnie Panik, 57, was under the influence of the antidepressant drug Wellbutrin when she crashed her Mitsubishi Eclipse head-on into a vehicle occupied by three people on Route 85 in Montville.
Panik has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges that include manslaughter and assault with a motor vehicle.
In interviews after the Aug. 6, 2004, accident, police said Panik admitted she had started taking the drug within the previous week. Before the accident, Panik remembered "feeling like she was going to black out and started going off the road," according to a police warrant affidavit prepared by Montville police.
Panik, according to police, said she aimed for an open field so no one would get hurt.
State prosecutors claim negligence and recklessness led to the death of Bernice Colburn, 52, of West Hartford.
Colburn was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Ann Conroy, 70.
Conroy was traveling north on Route 85 toward Salem when Panik's southbound vehicle crossed the center line and hit her vehicle head-on. She had no time to react, she told police. Conroy and Joan C. Grenier, a back seat passenger, were both injured and hospitalized.
Jury selection is scheduled to start today, though defense attorney Michael Blanchard has moved to dismiss the case.
In several motions filed in Norwich Superior Court, Blanchard claims prosecutors have not supplied enough information to justify the charges.
Blanchard could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Carney is prosecuting the case in Norwich Superior Court.
Reach Greg Smith at 425-4219 or gasmith@norwichbulletin.com
AT A GLANCE
Bonnie L. Panik, 57, of Oakdale faces charges, filed March 30, 2007, in connection with a Aug. 6, 2004, fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 85 in Montville.
She is charged with misconduct with a motor vehicle, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, second-degree assault and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle.
She was found guilty.
I just found out her sentence hearing is this Wednesday. After hearing my story on the phone, her lawyer wants ME TO SPEAK. I'm a bit nervous about all of this as being in courtrooms makes me queasy and my friends next few years are depending on what a small handful of people and one of those is me. I keep telling myself it's for my friend and I need to help her. Not many people are going to speak on her behalf as her family lives very far away. Her husband and maybe her kids will be there.It's been running through my mind and I'm super distracted by all of this. I'm worried I will say the wrong thing and fuck it all up. Have you ever "testified on someone's behalf" before? The only advice I have been given is not to mention the case or if I feel the verdict is right or wrong. Public speaking is one of my strengths as I don't get stage fright. I know some idiots on this site that would just remain silent, but would all of you? When it comes down to it, would you put yourself up there and defend your friend's character?
State prosecutors claim Bonnie Panik, 57, was under the influence of the antidepressant drug Wellbutrin when she crashed her Mitsubishi Eclipse head-on into a vehicle occupied by three people on Route 85 in Montville.
Panik has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges that include manslaughter and assault with a motor vehicle.
In interviews after the Aug. 6, 2004, accident, police said Panik admitted she had started taking the drug within the previous week. Before the accident, Panik remembered "feeling like she was going to black out and started going off the road," according to a police warrant affidavit prepared by Montville police.
Panik, according to police, said she aimed for an open field so no one would get hurt.
State prosecutors claim negligence and recklessness led to the death of Bernice Colburn, 52, of West Hartford.
Colburn was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Ann Conroy, 70.
Conroy was traveling north on Route 85 toward Salem when Panik's southbound vehicle crossed the center line and hit her vehicle head-on. She had no time to react, she told police. Conroy and Joan C. Grenier, a back seat passenger, were both injured and hospitalized.
Jury selection is scheduled to start today, though defense attorney Michael Blanchard has moved to dismiss the case.
In several motions filed in Norwich Superior Court, Blanchard claims prosecutors have not supplied enough information to justify the charges.
Blanchard could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Carney is prosecuting the case in Norwich Superior Court.
Reach Greg Smith at 425-4219 or gasmith@norwichbulletin.com
AT A GLANCE
Bonnie L. Panik, 57, of Oakdale faces charges, filed March 30, 2007, in connection with a Aug. 6, 2004, fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 85 in Montville.
She is charged with misconduct with a motor vehicle, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, second-degree assault and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle.
She was found guilty.
I just found out her sentence hearing is this Wednesday. After hearing my story on the phone, her lawyer wants ME TO SPEAK. I'm a bit nervous about all of this as being in courtrooms makes me queasy and my friends next few years are depending on what a small handful of people and one of those is me. I keep telling myself it's for my friend and I need to help her. Not many people are going to speak on her behalf as her family lives very far away. Her husband and maybe her kids will be there.It's been running through my mind and I'm super distracted by all of this. I'm worried I will say the wrong thing and fuck it all up. Have you ever "testified on someone's behalf" before? The only advice I have been given is not to mention the case or if I feel the verdict is right or wrong. Public speaking is one of my strengths as I don't get stage fright. I know some idiots on this site that would just remain silent, but would all of you? When it comes down to it, would you put yourself up there and defend your friend's character?