PORT ANGELES — First-degree murder charges against a Port Angeles High School senior accused of running down a man on U.S. Highway 101 last January will be downgraded to vehicular homicide.
Shawn Louis Newman’s attorney also said Tuesday that she wants the judge to dismiss the case entirely because of delays in getting investigative reports.
Newman, 18, is charged for showing “extreme indifference” in the February death of Steven Biss, 48, by traveling at speeds of more than 100 mph.
Biss had been walking home on U.S. Highway 101 west of town after a night-time poker party and was extremely intoxicated, according to court documents.
Biss had a blood-alcohol content level of 0.21 percent, according to court documents, which said Newman’s blood-alcohol content level was 0.07.
Investigators also believe Newman was under the influence of marijuana and attempted to hide after the wreck.
But an investigator with the Washington State Patrol since determined that Newman was allegedly traveling at speeds between 65 mph and 75 mph.
“A far cry from the 100 plus mph the state alleged,” wrote defense attorney Karen Unger of Port Angeles in court documents filed Tuesday.
Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Kelly said that she would move to amend the charges down to vehicular homicide.
“[The estimated speeds] are lower than we anticipated they would be,” Kelly said.
