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11-16-2004, 07:39 PM
A 20-year-old man faces up to 20 years in prison after a Randall County jury found him guilty of intoxication manslaughter Monday in connection with a 2003 fatal motorcycle accident.
Joshua Lee Adams broke down shortly after the jury gave the verdict Monday afternoon, doubling over in his chair and sobbing.
Prosecutors alleged Adams was high on cough medicine when he ran into Gerald Durant Grooms on South Farm-to-Market Road 1541 and Plantation Road on the night of April 14, 2003.
Grooms, 37, was stopped on his motorcycle, preparing to make a left turn on to Plantation.
Adams' attorney, Randy Sherrod, told jurors in closing arguments the state failed to prove Adams was intoxicated and that intoxication caused Grooms' death. He argued commotion by passengers in the back seat of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva distracted Adams, causing the accident.
"It's a terrible situation," he said. "Don't compound it by convicting someone who's not guilty under the law."
Criminal District Attorney James Farren presented several witnesses who testified Adams had used cough medicine, specifically Coricidin, to get high, and he appeared intoxicated that night.
"His actions alone were clearly what caused the death of Gerald Grooms," he said.
Jurors also found him guilty of using a deadly weapon, a special issue set out for them to consider in the charge.
Jurors deliberated about three hours. The trial began Nov. 9, and the punishment phase continues today. Adams, who was out on bond, was taken to Randall County Jail. He faces two to 20 years in prison.
Link: http://amarillo.com/stories/111604/new_605766.shtml
Joshua Lee Adams broke down shortly after the jury gave the verdict Monday afternoon, doubling over in his chair and sobbing.
Prosecutors alleged Adams was high on cough medicine when he ran into Gerald Durant Grooms on South Farm-to-Market Road 1541 and Plantation Road on the night of April 14, 2003.
Grooms, 37, was stopped on his motorcycle, preparing to make a left turn on to Plantation.
Adams' attorney, Randy Sherrod, told jurors in closing arguments the state failed to prove Adams was intoxicated and that intoxication caused Grooms' death. He argued commotion by passengers in the back seat of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva distracted Adams, causing the accident.
"It's a terrible situation," he said. "Don't compound it by convicting someone who's not guilty under the law."
Criminal District Attorney James Farren presented several witnesses who testified Adams had used cough medicine, specifically Coricidin, to get high, and he appeared intoxicated that night.
"His actions alone were clearly what caused the death of Gerald Grooms," he said.
Jurors also found him guilty of using a deadly weapon, a special issue set out for them to consider in the charge.
Jurors deliberated about three hours. The trial began Nov. 9, and the punishment phase continues today. Adams, who was out on bond, was taken to Randall County Jail. He faces two to 20 years in prison.
Link: http://amarillo.com/stories/111604/new_605766.shtml