Juror Excused Day 3 In Newton Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial

NEWTON, MA — A seat in the jury box in the trial of a man accused of killing two people after plowing his car into a Newton pizza shop in 2016 sat empty Monday. The judge told the court the juror was excused for personal reasons unrelated to her views on the case.

Brad Casler of Newton, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, was charged after his Volkswagen SUV plowed into the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza shop on March 1, 2016, killing Eleanor Miele and Gregory Morin and injuring several others. Casler was not injured.

Both the prosecutor and defense attorneys agreed that Casler's car was out of control when he crashed, but the defense argued that the reason is in question.

In the third day of the trial, WBZ reported, an EMT who responded to the crash testified that Casler told her he was going 20 to 25 mph before the crash. She said she asked whether his MS played a role in the accident, but he said no.

State Police testified there were no issues with the accelerator or the brakes, according to multiple reports.

Casler had indicated earlier that he would plead guilty to the charges to avoid prolonging the tragedy. But in December 2017, when it appeared he would not be able to avoid jail time, he reversed course and said he would not plead guilty.

Casler was indicted in September 2016 on two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger.

The latest: Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Begins

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Previously on Patch:

• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand
• Sweet Tomatoes Crash: Driver 'Doesn't Deserve' To Go To Jail
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand Jury
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Postponed

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/ Patch Staff