CLINTON, LA (WAFB) -
The man
suspected of being drunk when the truck he was driving collided head-on with a
car, killing all seven people inside, has now retained legal counsel.
Brett
Gerald, 30, of Greensburg, LA has hired attorney Tommy Damico to represent him.
Gerald is
charged with seven counts of vehicular homicide following the deadly crash in
Slaughter, LA last month. If convicted, Gerald faces a maximum of 200 years in
prison.
He was
flanked by law enforcement agents as he was wheeled into the East Feliciana
Parish Courthouse in Clinton, LA for a bond hearing Tuesday. Judge William
Carmichael set Gerald's bond at $1 million. His arraignment hearing is
scheduled for June 26.
"It's
a fair bond," said District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla. "Everybody is
entitled to a bond. Unfortunately, that's what the law is."
If Gerald
posts bond, he will have to follow the judge's set conditions. Gerald will not
be allowed to operate a motor vehicle. He will be required to live at his
father's house and he is required to wear an ankle monitor. He will only be
allowed to go to the doctor's office and church, but he has to get pre-approved
to do those things.
Gerald's
arraignment hearing is scheduled for June 26. He is expected to plead not
guilty.
The crash happened
Wednesday, May 30 around 10 p.m. Investigators said Grandmother Brenda Gaines
was driving her daughter Denise Gaines and Denise's four children, Diamond
Johnson, Jyran Johnson, Willie Gaines and Rogerick Johnson, Jr. Also in the
vehicle was a fellow church member Angela Mosley.
The group
was headed back to Baton Rouge from a bible study in Clinton.
Brenda,
Denise, Diamond, Jyran and Angela were all killed instantly in the crash.
Willie Gaines was taken off life support June 3. Rogerick Johnson died Sunday,
June 10.
According
to the Louisiana State Police, Gerald was out celebrating his 30th birthday and
was under the influence of alcohol. After testing his Blood/Alcohol Content,
troopers said Gerald's BAC was .15g percent, which is nearly twice the legal
limit of .08g percent.
Reportedly,
there will be another hearing in August and the case could go to trial as soon
as December.
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2012 WAFB. All rights
reserved.
Brett Gerald was wheeled into court for a bond hearing surrounded by guards. He broke his ankles in the crash.
