Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case: Casler Files Motion To Dismiss

NEWTON, MA — The man who drove his Volkswagen into a Newton pizza shop in 2016, killing two and injuring seven others, showed up in court February 28 to ask the judge to hear a motion to dismiss the Newton TAB reported.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Tarrant objected to the move, but Judge Laurence Pierce agreed to continue the motion-to-dismiss hearing to March 7, ahead of the May trial date, Wicked Local reported first.

This is the latest in the long line of court dates for Brad Casler who is accused of killing Gregory Morin of Newton and Eleanor Miele of Watertown and injuring several employees and other customers.

Casler and his lawyer originally said he was leaning toward pleading guilty, saying he didn't want the victims to have to go through a protracted trial. But Casler told the court in December 2017 he would not plead guilty after it looked like he would have to spend time in jail.

Casler’s lawyer has called the crash an unfortunate accident that happened because of his client's multiple sclerosis. The prosecution argues Casler was simply driving too fast.

Casler was indicted in 2016 on two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger. The case is scheduled to go to trial in May.

Previously on Patch:

Newton Sweet Tomatoes Crash: Casler Trial Set For May

Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand

Sweet Tomatoes Crash: Driver 'Doesn't Deserve' To Go To Jail

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Photo by Jenna Fisher