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Closing Arguments To Begin In Fatal Mt. Lebanon Accident Trial

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(Credit: KDKA)

(Credit: KDKA)

Bob Allen

Reporting Bob Allen

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Closing arguments will begin Saturday in the trial of Benjamin Cope.

He’s accused of fatally striking 36-year-old Lisa Styles who was jogging with her children in a stroller on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon last summer.

The defense wrapped up its case after bringing several expert witnesses to the stand.

Attorneys are disputing the prosecution’s claims that Cope was high on marijuana at the time of the accident.

A professor of pharmaceutical science testified that 21-year-old Cope had marijuana in his bloodstream, but the levels were not high enough for him to be impaired at the time the fatal accident.

Cope is on trial on charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.

Police say in June 2010, he drove through a stop sign in his SUV, killing Styles.

An accident reconstruction expert testified that Cope was going faster than the speed police listed in the accident report and it was difficult for him to stop.

Cope’s 24-year-old brother testified that the 21-year-old smoked marijuana the night before. The defense claims Cope did not get high in the hours leading up to the accident.

If convicted, Cope could face up to six years in prison.

The jury could receive the case Saturday afternoon.

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  • James

    Even in “worst case”, if he’s found guilty for causing the death of a mother/wife, he’ll only server 6 years. And that’s “worst case”. System is messed up.

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