Woman found guilty in deadly Shockoe Slip hit-and-run | News

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Two families have some closure after a tragic accident in Richmond's Shockoe Slip. Tuesday, a judge found Jennifer Slemp guilty in the hit and run collision that killed a 25-year-old and injured his friend.

Authorities say Slemp hit the two men and then left the scene of the collision.

She is now facing the possibility of ten years behind bars. The 37-year-old remains free on bond, despite this guilty verdict. After the trial, she slipped out of the courthouse and avoided cameras and questions.

There were tears and smiles as the judge announced his verdict to a packed courtroom.

"Glad we have closure," said the mother of Brendan Ellis, who was seriously injured in the accident.

The families of Ellis and 25-year-old David Boyd, who was killed in the accident, didn't have much else to say about the resolution this offers.

Jennifer Slemp sat stoically throughout most of Tuesday's trial and showed no reaction as she learned her fate. Her lawyers also had little to say.

"It's too early to talk," Harrison Hubard briefly explained.

Witnesses testified there was a large brawl at the corner of 14th and Canal Streets during the early morning hours of April 21st. Boyd's friends told NBC12, he was trying to stop the fight when he and Ellis fell into the street and were run over.

At the center of this case are two issues including, whether it was Slemp's vehicle that struck the men and if she actually knew she hit them.

The commonwealth relied on forensic evidence and eyewitness accounts, like those of Ayodele Okeowo.

"I saw her car come and impact and I saw it slow down and leave," he said. "We all saw the same thing. We all figured someone had to be at fault for that situation."

Slemp testified in her own defense. She maintained she didn't feel anything unusual while she was driving that night.  The judge decided the commonwealth proved otherwise.

"The point is that she failed to do what the law requires her to do," prosecutor Joshua Boyles added. "She failed to do what normal, law abiding citizens would do and that is to stop!"

Sentencing is scheduled for November 7^th. It is possible Slemp would not have to serve any time. The minimum sentence recommendation is zero days in jail. The maximum is ten years in prison.

This is the first of two recent high profile hit-and-run cases in the city. Prosecutors say Tuesday's verdict should be a reminder to the public to stop if there's an accident.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.