DUI death trial postponed
Published 9:39 am Tuesday, March 8, 2011
JACKSON — The trial of an Oak Hill man accused of vehicular homicide in the DUI death of a South Point child has been postponed.
The jury trial for Christopher Haines, 29, had been set to begin Thursday in the courtroom of Jackson County Common Pleas Judge Leonard F. Holzapfel. It had been expected to last two days. However, Haines waived his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
A new trial date has not been scheduled.
On Dec. 18, Haines was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee on State Route 93 when that vehicle rear-ended a car driven by Marsha McGinnis of South Point. McGinnis’ car was stopped in the southbound lane of the highway at the 10-mile marker. Her car then skidded left of center where it was struck by a car driven by Deborah Miller of Columbus. Miller was northbound on State Route 93.
Angel McGinnis, the 10-year-old daughter of McGinnis, was a passenger in her car. The child died at Cabell Huntington Hospital later that day.
In January Haines was indicted on one count of aggravated vehicular homicide and three counts of aggravated vehicular assault. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment that month.
Haines remains in the Jackson County Jail under a $100,000 bond of which he can post 10 percent full surety or real estate. If he can meet that bond, he would have to be under electronically monitored house arrest.
Haines is represented by public defender W. Scott Sabo.
At the time of the accident, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Haines had been under the influence of drugs.