Reply #111: Beverly officer to get a new trial in fatal crash [View All]

[slackmaster]

Even cops can't be trusted with cars!

A Beverly police officer will get a new trial on charges that he slammed his cruiser into a parked car last year, killing a 61-year-old woman.

Stuart Merry, 41, who was convicted in March of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation in the crash that killed Bonney Burns, asked for a new trial after prosecutors uncovered additional evidence in the case. A Peabody District Court judge today granted Merry’s request.

“The judge ruled that a jury had the right to see that evidence ... and we’re fully prepared to retry the case,” said Jake Wark, a spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney’s office.

Wark said prosecutors had become aware of an opinion held by a member of the State Police crash analysis team on the origin of a crack in Merry's windshield. They hadn't known of the officer's opinion before. Wark didn't immediately disclose any further details....

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/beverly_officer_1.html