Murder Trial Begins in Car Crash That Killed Nun
Bench trial planned.

wfls.com
The Associated Press
Date published: 10/31/2011

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) - A judge - not a jury - will decide whether an illegal immigrant from Bolivia is guilty of murder in a car crash last year that killed a Benedictine nun in Prince William County.

A trial is scheduled to begin Monday for Carlos Martinelly Montano. Prosecutors say he was drunk and caused the fatal crash in Bristow that killed Sister Denise Mosier and injured two other nuns.

At a hearing Friday, a judge said Martinelly Montano requested a bench trial. The judge said he also expects a plea deal will be reached on lesser charges, which include involuntary manslaughter.

Mosier's death prompted a wave of debate about enforcement of immigration laws. Martinelly Montano had twice before been convicted of drunken driving but was released from custody while awaiting deportation proceedings.

http://www.wfls.com/News/FLS/2011/10201 ... 1320057771