KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The jury has been selected and the trial of a man accused of killing five bicyclists began Tuesday afternoon.
Charles Pickett is accused of driving under the influence of drugs and plowing into a group of bicyclists in Cooper Township on June 7, 2016. His girlfriend told police he downed handfuls of pain pills and muscle relaxers before driving.
Five cyclists were killed and four were injured. The incident garnered national attention with cyclist Lance Armstrong visiting Kalamazoo to "finish the ride" later in the summer.
Pickett faces five charges of 2nd degree murder. His lawyers had appealed that his acts should only be considered reckless driving causing death.
“He still has the presumption of innocence," said his defense attorney in court Tuesday. "The evidence is what is crucial in this matter, and what it shows.”
The prosecuting attorney and Pickett's defense started with their opening arguments and the first witnesses were called late Tuesday afternoon.
“The evidence will prove that he did act in wanton and willful disregard of the likelihood that the natural tendencies of his actions would be to cause death of bodily harm," he said Tuesday. “When Mr. Pickett entered their life, suddenly and abruptly, without warning, these 9 people were run over from behind.”
FOX 17 will be in court throughout the trial. The judge is not allowing live-streaming of the trial, but we will have video updates throughout the trial online and on Facebook and live reports throughout the day. The trial is expected to take about two weeks.
