URBANA — Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi said allegations of witness tampering weren’t a factor in his decision to dismiss vehicular homicide charges against a Logan County man this month.
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The charges against Matthew King, 22, were dismissed after a joint motion filed July 15 by the Champaign County prosecutor’s office and King’s attorney, James Skogstrom.
That motion was filed, Talebi told the Springfield News-Sun, because new evidence came to light just days before King’s trial was set to start and the prosecution believed they needed more time to vet that information.
“The case remains open,” Talebi said. “We can refile the charges against either Matt King or any other individual.”
A Champaign County grand jury indicted King in April on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The charges stemmed from a June 14, 2015, crash in which King was accused of driving under the influence, killing Mackenzee Hartley, 18, and injuring Mayci Powell, 17.
All three were ejected from the vehicle and King’s defense had focused its case on raising doubts about who was driving, according to court documents.