Vehicular homicide case bound over to grand jury

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 24, 2010

VIDALIA — The man accused in the fatal vehicle versus motorcycle accident that claimed the life of Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy John Mott will be bound over to the grand jury.

Joseph L. Drummer, 31, 731 Belle Grove Circle, is charged with DWI (third offense), vehicular homicide, improper turn resulting in accident and driving under suspension.

He was scheduled to be arraigned in Seventh Judicial District Court Wednesday, but Assistant District Attorney Ann Siddall asked the court to continue the matter until July 21 because it was going to be sent to a Concordia Parish grand jury.

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Arraignment is the legal process in which a defendant can plead “guilty” or “not guilty” to the charges against them.

Judge Glen Strong granted the state’s request despite an objection from the defense.

When Drummer’s attorney, Stewart Boykin, asked Siddall how the case would be presented to the grand jury, she said it would be presented as charged.

“I am not aware at this point of any intention to seek additional charges,” she said.

The grand jury reviews the evidence against a defendant and determines if it is sufficient to charge the suspect with a given crime.

Drummer was arrested May 16 following an accident on Louisiana 568 in which the truck he was driving and the motorcycle Mott was riding collided.

According to a news release from the Louisiana State Police at the time of Drummer’s arrest, Drummer — who was eastbound — was reportedly executing a left turn toward Louisiana 900 when the collision occurred with Mott’s westbound motorcycle.

Mott was wearing a helmet but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drummer and a passenger, Shawn J. McCarty, were uninjured in the crash.

A conviction of vehicular homicide carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.