Update Friday, Feb 18, 1:40 pm
Update Friday, Feb. 18, 11:09 am
Closing arguments have concluded. The jury is now deliberating a verdict. In the state’s closing arguments they said Kroese disregarded the risk of driving and as a result, it lead to the death of Officer Legieza. They cited the evidence showing Kroese driving on the wrong side of the road with no headlights, using Google Maps for directions home but driving in the opposite direction. The state’s argument ended the statement hold her accountable.
Next, Kroese’s attorney closing argument opened with this is an exercise in finding the truth. They cited testimony given by Max Jordan, the last person to see Kroese before she drove her car, where he stated she did not appear drunk. The attorney also called into question the blood test reliability.
Update Thursday, Feb. 17, 2 pm
As the trial continues, TBI specialists testified to the blood alcohol level tested at their lab showed .166 the current BAC limit in Tennessee is .08. Another specialist testified Kroese’s blood showed no drugs.
Widow of Officer Destin Legieza, Heather Legieza was called to testify, she identified her husband of four years from a photo in an emotional response felt in the courtroom.
Kroese stated before the judge she would not be testifying in the trial. Tomorrow will bring closing arguments starting at 9 am.
Update Wednesday, Feb. 16, 4:39 pm
Court has adjourned for today until tomorrow morning. Today, testimonies centered around the timeline of Kroese on the night of June 17, 2020, where she visited several establishments in downtown Franklin.
THP Investigator testified about the process of finding the traffic camera video footage of Kroese to create a timeline from where she parked her vehicle at 7:30 pm in downtown Franklin then headed to Americana Taphouse. Afterward, Kroese visited O’ Be Joyful before ending her time in Franklin at Kimbro’s. Traffic cameras show Kroese arriving back to her vehicle escorted by Max Jordan around 4:30 am. Jordan testified Kroese did not appear drunk at that time, he stated Kroese asked if Jordan would walk her to her car. Shortly after that time, traffic cameras show Kroese driving without headlights and continuing up Franklin Road.
Original Story
On Tuesday, the first day of testimony began for Ashley Kroese, accused of killing City of Brentwood Officer Destin Legieza in June 2020 while driving under the influence.
Tuesday brought opening arguments from both sides that only lasted thirty minutes. In addition, there were testimonies from those who first arrived on the scene with video evidence from the traffic camera of Kroese from the time she left the downtown Franklin area until the accident on Franklin Road.
Jury selection began on Monday and the jury was seated the same day.
Officer Destin Legieza was killed in the line of duty on June 18, 2020, after being hit by Kroese’s vehicle on Franklin Road in Brentwood around 4:52 a.m in front of Brentwood Market.
Kroese’s vehicle collided with Officer Legieza’s patrol car, trapping him inside. Officer Legieza was heading south on Franklin Road to the Brentwood Service Center on General George Patton Drive at the time of the crash and was about to end his shift. It was found that Kroese had a blood alcohol content of 0.166 percent.
Officer Legieza died at the scene, he was 30 years old. He is the first City of Brentwood Police Officer to die in the line of duty since the department began 50 years ago.
Kroese is facing charges that include vehicular homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a vehicle, driving on the right-hand side of the road.
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