281 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 3/1/22:

 

 

   Brandon Bostian Trial: New Evidence Revealed By Prosecutors; Defense Suffers ‘Brutal’ Setback    

 

 

New evidence was presented Tuesday against the former Amtrak Engineer on trial for involuntary manslaughter in a fatal 2015 train derailment in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond section.

 

Still more

[KevinKorell]

WHYY-TV, Channel 12 in Philadelphia, PA, 3/2/22:

 

 

   Prosecution rests in trial of Amtrak engineer charged over deadly 2015 derailment      

 

 

On the night of May 12, 2015, Charles Gildersleeve rushed to the scene of the Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia, searching for his younger brother, Robert, Jr.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 3/2/22:

 

 

     Brandon Bostian Trial: Prosecution Rests Case As Defense Turns To Call Witnesses, Move Toward Acquittal  

 

 

A new phase will soon begin in the trial of a former Amtrak engineer. Brandon Bostian could face life in prison if a jury convicts him of all charges in the 2015 Amtrak derailment.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

KYW Radio, Philadelphia, PA, 3/2/22:

 

 

   Philadelphia Amtrak derailment trial set to reach its final stages    

 

 

Closing arguments are expected Thursday in the criminal trial of Brandon Bostian.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

WHYY-TV, Channel 12 in Philadelphia, PA, 3/3/22:

 

 

    ‘Human’ error or ‘knowing’ recklessness? Jury to decide Amtrak engineer’s fate  

 

 

The case against Amtrak engineer Brian Bostian is in the jury’s hands, after five days of witness testimony and arguments.

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

Associated Press 3/4/22

 

Amtrak engineer cleared in trial over deadly 2015 crash

 

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An Amtrak engineer was cleared of charges related to a deadly, high-speed derailment that left eight people dead and hundreds injured in Philadelphia in 2015.

 

The jury acquitted 38-year-old engineer Brandon Bostian of causing a catastrophe, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment after a little more than an hour of deliberations. 

 

SNIP  

 

The jury had begun weighing the charges Friday morning when the judge announced around noon that an alternate would step in. The jury then began its deliberations from the start.

 

SNIP

 

Common Pleas Judge Barbara McDermott said the juror whose sister died Thursday night came to court Friday and began deliberations before asking to be relieved.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

 

Prosecutors say Bostian acted with reckless disregard for the safety of his passengers, who were traveling from Washington to New York that Tuesday evening. 

Every passenger on the train was not travelling from Washington to New York.  The train was.

 

 

 

She asked him where they were, and Bostian told her, accurately, they were in an area called Franklin Junction.

That would be inaccurate, since the area is called Frankford Junction, not Franklin Junction.

[CNJRoss]

CBS News  3/4/22

 

Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian cleared of charges related to 2015 high-speed crash that left 8 people dead, hundreds injured

 

 

An Amtrak engineer was cleared of charges related to a deadly, high-speed derailment that left eight people dead and hundreds injured in Philadelphia in 2015. The jury acquitted 38-year-old engineer Brandon Bostian of causing a catastrophe, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment after a little more than an hour of deliberations.

 

SNIP

 

After the verdict was reached Friday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued a statement saying, "There is no question that the excessive speed of the train that the defendant operated resulted in death and injury to his passengers."

 

"Our goal throughout this long legal process was to seek justice for each and every victim, and help bring victims' families and their loved ones closure," he said. "Ultimately, the jury did not find his actions to be criminal, and we respect the jury's verdict."

 

 

In a statement, Amtrak said it respected the jury's finding and expressed "our sympathy to our passengers, employees, and their families for this terrible tragedy."

More here.  

[CNJRoss]

Associated Press via The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA  3/4/22 

 

Note:  This article was published before the jury completed deliberations and the verdict was announced.

 

Judge questions charges as jury gets Amtrak engineer’s case

 

 

A Philadelphia jury will soon weigh criminal charges against an Amtrak engineer over a deadly 2015 derailment — although the judge was skeptical Thursday that the evidence supports the prosecution’s case.

 

The on-again, off-again case against engineer Brandon Bostian, 38, will go to jury deliberations Friday morning. The charges include causing a catastrophe, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

 

SNIP

 

Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott said she wasn't sure the evidence was sufficient to prove the crimes. The city’s district attorney had declined to charge Bostian, but the state Attorney General’s Office stepped in after the victims’ families pressed for charges.

 

McDermott said she may review the sufficiency of the evidence again after the jury verdict.

 

 

Read more.

[KevinKorell]

WPVI-TV, 6-ABC in Philadelphia, PA, 3/5/22:

 

 

    Paralyzed Amtrak victim says he is OK with not guilty train derailment verdict    

 

 

A jury found Amtrak conductor Brandon Bostian not guilty for the 2015 train derailment that left eight dead and hundreds injured.

 

Story