Lawyer: Teen likely to plead guilty in Temple student hit and run
The North Philadelphia teen charged with the hit-and-run accident that critically injured a Temple University senior waived his preliminary hearing Friday and his lawyer said he would accept responsibility and likely plead guilty.
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The North Philadelphia teen charged with the hit-and-run accident that critically injured a Temple University senior waived his preliminary hearing Friday and his lawyer said he would accept responsibility and likely plead guilty.
The waiver means the case against Rashan Roberts - charged with a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or serious injury - proceeds to trial.
Roberts, 18, surrendered to police May 6 after his parents contacted authorities and told them their son, who had a learner's permit, was the driver of the silver 2012 Mitsubishi Galant that hit 22-year-old Rachel Hall.
Hall was struck about 7 p.m., April 29, as she rode her bicycle on Diamond Street near Park Avenue near Temple's main campus in North Philadelphia.
Hall's parents were not in court Friday and Assistant District Attorney David Lim said Hall remained unconscious at Temple University Hospital.
"The only thing she could do at this point is open her eyes," Lim said.
The Mullica Hill native was a senior majoring in criminal justice and a goaltender on Temple's lacrosse team. Hall's mother accepted her diploma this month at graduation ceremonies.
Roberts' mother and other relatives were in court but declined to comment after the hearing.
Roberts' attorney, Michael Hanamirian, said he hoped to negotiate a guilty plea for Roberts.
"Rashan Roberts and his family are praying that Rachel Hall may have a full and complete recovery," Hanamirian said.
Roberts remains in custody with bail set at $100,000; Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Gerard A. Kosinski denied Hanamirian's motion to reduce bail to $10,000.
Hanamirian argued the bail reduction was justified because Roberts had no record, lived with his parents, and the accident occurred when Hall rode through a stop sign into the path of Roberts' car. Court records show Roberts was arrested in October in an assault case but the charges were withdrawn.
Lim argued that Roberts chose not to stop after the accident and that neither he nor his two passengers called 911 to get aid to Hall.
Police said Roberts gave a statement saying that he was not driving under the influence but that he panicked after the accident and drove off.
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