KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Testimony continues today in the John Allen English intoxication manslaughter trial in Kaufman County Court at Law Judge Dennis Patman Jones’ courtroom.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Testimony continues today in the John Allen English intoxication manslaughter trial in Kaufman County Court at Law Judge Dennis Patman Jones’ courtroom.
31-year-old English is accused of intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony, in the death of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Whittney Crawford, and several other assault charges related to a December 9, 2012, vehicle accident.
English was allegedly driving a green Toyota 4Runner southbound on Farm-to-Market (FM) 987 north of Kaufman, Texas, with Whittney Crawford when investigators say he crossed the center line of the road and struck a Honda Pilot SUV carrying Tyler Wiggins, Michelle Cheney, and Megan Cheney. Crawford, raised in Kaufman, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene and the others were transported to Dallas area hospitals.
English was later indicted for one count of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a second-degree felony; two counts of intoxication assault, third-degree felonies; manslaughter, a second-degree felony; and four counts of aggravated assault, second-degree felonies. Each charge was enhanced due to a felony offense conviction for possession of a controlled substance in penalty group one, one gram or more but less than four grams, in Kaufman County prior to the date of the accident.
Urine tests conducted during English’s treatment at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and later confirmed at a secondary testing facility indicated a positive presence of cannabinoids and a high level of amphetamines in English’s system. Judge Jones allowed the admission of the test results on Tuesday morning following a Daubert hearing to suppress the results from defense attorney Taryn Davis.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Justin Schuman, who conducted the accident investigation, testified Wednesday and stated English and Crawford were engaged in some sort of sexual act prior to the accident because both individuals were found with their pants down and genitals exposed.
English, who was ejected from the vehicle during the accident, was observed face-down in a driveway with his pants down, exposing his buttocks. Crawford remained in the car where she was pronounced deceased. The bottom of her pants were crushed in between the floorboard and the dash and her feet were in the waistband of the pants — indicating they were also pulled down and placed her in the passenger seat of the vehicle at the time of the accident, according to Schuman.
Wiggins, the driver of the Honda Pilot, testified the 4Runner made an almost deliberate turn right in front of his vehicle. Wiggins was a deputy at the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the accident and has since left law enforcement due to an injury sustained to his leg during the accident.
His wife, Michelle Cheney, sustained injuries to her hip, feet, hands, and a fractured leg and arm. Their daughter sustained a hip injury and lacerations.
Davis called into question the Texas Department of Public Safety accident investigation because pictures weren’t taken of a wheel and tire assembly from the 4Runner which Schuman stated became dislodged due to the accident. The assembly was later struck by a third vehicle and investigated as a separate accident.
Photos were also not taken of an alleged marijuana pipe found in the vehicle’s center console. A blood test was not conducted by law enforcement following the accident.
Testimony will likely continue through this week.
