Jurors Reject Accused Driver's Defense
He was on trial for drinking and driving and killing a bicyclist. Thursday Bendy Saint Hilaire took the witness stand, asking jurors to believe an incredible story of what happened that night in 2005. Apparently jurors didn't buy it.
Saint Hilaire was charged with drinking and driving and killing 28-year old Terry Brown, Jr., as he rode his bike on Federal Highway in Boca Raton.
During the trial this week, jurors saw Brown's mangled bike and crime scene photos showing the bike sticking out from the front of the SUV. Investigators say Saint Hilaire took off from the crash site, dragging the bicycle. Police say they stopped Saint Hilaire in Broward County, three and a half miles away.
But Thursday taking the stand in his own defense, Saint Hilaire told jurors he wasn't the one driving the SUV when it crashed. He said it was the man who was giving him a lift home from a party. And he said the man held a gun to his head and ordered him to change positions.
"He drive a little bit further, he pulled the car over to the side," said Saint Hilaire. "And after he pulled the car over to the side, he grabbed his gun. He pointed it at my head. He made me change seats with him."
But why did Saint Hilaire tell officers on the night of the crash, he was the driver who hit the cyclist? Saint Hilaire testified he said that because he feared for his family's safety.
During cross examination, prosecutor Adam McMichael questioned Saint Hilaire's concern for his family, asking why he gave officers the name of his brother, instead of his own.
Thursday afternoon jurors returned their verdict, finding Saint Hilaire guilty of all counts as charged, including DUI manslaughter-- leaving the scene, and giving a false name to police. He faces up to 35 years in prison at sentencing in September.
