Nov 24, 2009 11:07 pm US/Eastern
Accused Hit-And-Run Driver Indicted On New Counts
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Thomas Meighan was indicted on 10 new counts, including automobile manslaughter.
CBS
Police believe it was a serial drunk driver who hit and killed Johns Hopkins University student Miriam Frankl more than a month ago, but their suspect was never charged with Frankl's death--until Tuesday.
Kai Jackson explains a grand jury handed up the indictment Tuesday afternoon.
Thomas Meighan is still entitled to due process, but family members and Hopkins students feel the fact that someone has been indicted in the death of Miriam Frankl is a huge step forward.
"I just hope justice is served," said Hopkins graduate student Rebecca Powers.
Thomas Meighan was indicted on 10 new counts, including automobile manslaughter.
In a statement to the
WJZ's media partner, the Baltimore Sun, Miriam Frankl's parents said, "While these new charges will not bring Miriam back, we are relieved that Mr. Meighan has been charged with these more serious offenses."
Prosecutors say Meighan was driving his truck when he struck and killed Frankl back in October. Previously, Meighan had only faced traffic charges related to Frankl's death and faced only a maximum sentence of six years in prison. With the new charges, Meighan faces a possible maximum sentence of 35 years in prison.
It's unclear if new witnesses came forward or new evidence has been uncovered to lead to the new indictments.
Meighan has at least nine drunk driving convictions on his record and his license has been suspended or revoked repeatedly.
There was criticism that Baltimore's 911 system didn't act quickly enough because several people reported Meighan's truck driving erratically prior to Frankl's death.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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