DUI Trial Delayed In Adenhart Case

Following up on the tragic drunk driving related death of MLB pitcher Nick Adenhart, our Chicago Attorneys have learned that the trial of the man charged with Adenhart’s death has been continued for at least another six months.

Trial Delayed in Nick Adenhart Murder Case

SANTA ANA — The trial of the man accused of drunk driving and causing a crash that killed three people, including Angels pitcher Nick Adenart, will be delayed by at least six months.

An Orange County Superior Court judge ruled Monday that 22 year old Andrew Gallo will have to be represented by a public defender after his private attorney quit the case. Assistant Public Defender Brian Harris will take over the defense, but has to start from the beginning, Deputy District Attorney Susan Price said.

It is not clear how much longer it will take the case to go to trial, but Price said she hopes the delay is not longer than six months.

Andrew Gallo’s private attorney, Randall Longwith, told Judge Richard Toohey on Friday that he lacked the resources to adequately defend his client and asked to have county taxpayers pay for experts needed to defend Gallo. The experts are expensive and Gallo cannot afford them, Longwith said.

Gallo is charged with three counts of second-degree murder for the April 9th crash that killed Adenhart and two others. Authorities say Gallo’s blood alcohol content ws more than twice the legal limit when he ran a red light in Fullerton and the van he was driving hit the Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Courtney Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar.

Stewart was killed, along with Adenhart and Henry Pearson, a 25-year-old law student from Manhattan Beach. Jon Wilhite, 24, also of Manhattan Beach, was critically injured but survived, even though his skull had to be reattached to his spine.

Adenhart, 22, had pitched six scoreless innings just hours before the accident. A picture of Adenhart was added to the outfield wall at Angel Stadium after his death, and a black patch with Adenhart’s name and number 34 was added to the uniform of each Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim player.

Gallo had a prior drunken driving conviction from 2006 and was driving with a suspended license.

He faces 54 years to life in prison if convicted on all counts.

The Law Offices of James E. Fabbrini have years of experience protecting people charged with drunk driving. From first time offenders to felonies, our DUI lawyers have successfully fought drunk driving throughout Illinois.

Protect your freedom, avoid trouble, and save yourself money. Contact our office today. All consultations are absolutely free. Call us at (312) 494-3131 or e-mail us your questions at [email protected]