Mt. Vernon Register-News

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March 8, 2010

Hanner trial moving forward

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The trial of Steven Hanner is expected to go forward on March 23.

Hanner, 19, is facing six counts of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and possession of more than 2.5 grams of cannabis in connection with the 2006 accident which took the life of Ronald Hale. At the time of the accident, Hanner was 16 years old and allegedly killed Hale when he pulled out in front of Hale’s motorcycle at the Illinois 142 and Shawnee Street intersection on June 14, 2006. Although Hanner was 16-years-old at the time, he was charged as an adult.

According to court information, toxicology reports revealed that six different drugs were in Hanner’s system at the time of the accident, including cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy.

Hanner violated his bond in January 2009, with Judge Thomas Tedeschi ruling the violation due to Hanner being caught drinking alcohol. New bond was set for Hanner at $75,000, with conditions that Hanner be on home confinement from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Hanner is free on the new bond, according to court documents.

Each of the six aggravated driving under the influence charges are Class 2 felonies, which have a possible penalty of three to 14 years in prison; and the possession of cannabis charge is a Class C misdemeanor.

Jefferson County State’s Attorney Jeff Bradley and Public Defender Sean Featherstun told the court on Monday there are no pending motions in the case, and an exchange of information has been completed. A scheduling conference has been set for next week, with any additional motions to be filed by Thursday. The trial date of March 23 was confirmed by all parties.

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