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Knocked Down and Killed Six Year Old, Got Off With A Fine
posted (November 8, 2019)
He was charged with manslaughter for knocking down and killing a 6-year-old girl in 2017, but former Police Constable Albert Martinez has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless conduct.

Just after 6:30 p.m. on February 26, 2017, Dawn Swasey, and her daughter, 6-year-old Ashanty Pollard were walking on Krooman Road. They were heading home, and when they arrived at the intersection of Fabers Road Extension, a vehicle came up from behind and knocked down little Ashanti. She died on the spot from the injuries she suffered. A police report on the incident said that police intercepted Martinez shortly after the incident, and according to them, he was quote, "traveling at high speed." End quote.

So, the cops charged him with a slew of offenses including, manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, driving a motor vehicle whilst not being the holder of a valid driver's license, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle, and displaying unauthorized license plates. Court reports indicate that there was also evidence suggesting that Martinez was under the influence of alcohol.

The state pursued the manslaughter charge, and when the case came up before Justice Colin Williams last month, Martinez pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless conduct. He also broke down in tears while expressing remorse for causing little Ashanti's death.

After hearing a mitigation plea on Martinez's behalf, the judge ordered him to pay a fine of $3,000. He has to pay that fine by September 1st, 2020, and if he defaults in payment, he will be sent to jail for 9 months. He was not ordered to pay compensation to the family, because the insurance company has already compensated them.

Martinez was unrepresented, while Crown Counsel Portia Ferguson represented the Crown.

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