ShopRite Truck Driver Trial Will Remain In Harford County

BEL AIR, MD — The trial for the driver of a ShopRite truck that caused a 12-vehicle crash will remain in Harford County, a judge ruled Wednesday. The crash, which occurred last March, caused two deaths.

Carloo Everton Watson, 49, of North Brunswick, New Jersey, is charged with two counts of negligent manslaughter, among other offenses, stemming from the crash on MD 24 at Ring Factory Road.

Watson requested his trial be held in a jurisdiction outside Harford County because of the extensive media coverage of the case.

The change-of-venue hearing was slated to take place in January, but Watson's attorney Brian Thompson asked for a postponement to re-submit his compilation of media coverage for the judge.

One of those killed in the crash — Andrew Klein — was "the most prominent citizen in Harford County," Thompson said, noting the Klein name on buildings in the community. Thompson argued it would be impossible for Harford County residents to hear the case without bias as a result.

"The entire bench including retired judges recused themselves," Thompson said of the Harford County Circuit Court.

Retired Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Daniels, who was presiding, said after reviewing all the media coverage: "This case has been reported all over the state." Since the Associated Press covered it, he said it had global reach.

At issue was not how much the case was covered, but whether the coverage has been prejudicial to the point that a jury could not hear the case without bias, according to the prosecutor, who said that media coverage of the case contained basic facts about the incident.

To move the trial from Harford County without trying to seat a jury first would be "premature at this point," Assistant State's Attorney Cristin Treaster said. "I think we at least need to give it a try."

The trials for the murder of Officer Amy Caprio were heard in Baltimore County, she said, and the officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray were tried in Baltimore City.

"The people of Harford County deserve to have this case heard locally," Treaster said. She noted that the judges who recused themselves had connections with Klein due to political and fundraising activities that were not applicable to every Harford County resident.

Daniels said he was siding with the prosecutor and ruling that the jury selection process would be required to determine whether Harford County citizens could hear the case and make a decision based on the evidence presented in court.

"If we can't, the case is going to go elsewhere," he said. "This is about having a fair trial."

See Also:

• Trial Postponed For Driver In Deadly ShopRite Crash
• Driver In Deadly ShopRite Crash Wants Change Of Venue: Report
• Joppa Boy, Businessman Killed In Ring Factory Road Fiery Crash
• Kind, Fun-Loving Joppa Boy Killed In Crash
• Supermarket Owner Killed In Bel Air Crash Mourned By Community
• Police Conducting Probe Into Double Fatal ShopRite Crash

Police said Watson crashed into 11 other vehicles while driving a ShopRite tractor-trailer along MD 24 near Ring Factory Road on March 11, 2019. The tractor-trailer caught fire at the intersection, as did two vehicles pinned underneath it.

Klein, 65, philanthropist and owner of Klein's ShopRite, was pronounced dead at the scene, where his vehicle was one of two caught under the tractor-trailer Watson was driving.

Tripp Johnson, 7, a student at William Paca/Old Post Elementary known for being happy and fun-loving, died at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Johnson and his mother were in one of the nine cars hit in the crash that did not catch fire, according to police.

After a months-long investigation, Watson was indicted in August on two counts of negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, two counts of criminal negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, and four counts of using a cell phone while driving, resulting in serious injury or death. He was released two days later after posting $375,000 bond, court records show.

A trial date has not been set. It is estimated to last two weeks, including one week for voir dire. The judge said panels of at least 100 jurors would be needed.

Under sentencing guidelines for Maryland, Watson could face a maximum of 30 years total in prison if convicted at trial.

The negligent manslaughter charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years incarceration with a $5,000 fine; criminally negligent manslaughter has a penalty of three years in prison with a $5,000 fine, and the cell phone usage charges come with a maximum penalty of one-year in prison with a $5,000 fine, according to the state's attorney.