Prosecutors in bishop's trial present case on hit-and-run charge

Published: 2004-01-27

PHOENIX (CNS) -- Prosecutors in the hit-and-run trial of retired Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien spent the first week of testimony trying to make the case that the bishop knowingly left the scene of a fatal accident June 14. Deputy County Attorney Anthony Novitsky told jurors, "This is a very simple case. As you will hear, he (Bishop O'Brien) did not stop," he said in his opening statement Jan. 20. The case involves the death of Jim L. Reed, who was struck, apparently by two cars, while attempting to cross a busy street in mid-block after dark. Bishop O'Brien was arrested at his home two days after the accident. He resigned as bishop of Phoenix June 18. In opening arguments, Bishop O'Brien's lawyer, Tom Henze, did not dispute the facts that the bishop was driving the tan Buick sedan that struck Reed, or that he failed to stop. Henze said Bishop O'Brien was unaware he had struck a person, adding that Reed was wearing dark clothing and was heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident. The defense argued that Bishop O'Brien did not see the victim before, during or after the impact. Henze said Bishop O'Brien only saw a blur and heard a loud noise.

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