Lawyer Protests Cut in Charges Against Rogers
PONTIAC, Mich. — A judge’s decision to reduce charges against Detroit Lion Reggie Rogers from manslaughter to negligent homicide in a fatal car crash has been challenged by the Oakland County prosecutor’s office.
In an appeal filed Tuesday, the prosecution said District Judge Christopher Brown abused his discretion in his Dec. 15 ruling during Rogers’ preliminary examination. Rogers is scheduled for arraignment in 50th District Court on negligent homicide charges Jan. 9.
Under the reduced charges, Rogers could receive a maximum sentence of two years in prison if convicted, compared with a maximum of 15 years for a manslaughter conviction.
The charges stem from an Oct. 20 accident in which three youths died when Rogers’ Jeep collided with their car. Killed were Kenneth Willett, 19, of Drayton Plains, and Kelly Ess, 18, and Dale R. Ess, 17, both of Versailles, Mo.
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