Trial Delayed Again For Fatal Canyon Country Street Race Charges

Posted by: Perry Smith in Santa Clarita News September 13, 2013 - 12:07 pm 0 239 Views

The case against two teens charged in a street racing death was delayed again Friday, according to court officials.

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Colt Doherty and Thomas Vensko, both 20-year-old Canyon Country residents, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder for contributing to the cause of the Jan. 10, 2012, crash.

The case, which is still in its pretrial phases, could be continued again at date, because according to the court calendar, both sides now have 90 days from Friday to set a new hearing date.

“It was continued for Sept. 18 in Department 102 (in Los Angeles),” according to an official with the District Attorney’s Office.

On Jan. 10, 2012, Demott and Doherty were traveling in a Ford Mustang at a high rate of speed on Sand Canyon Road.

When Doherty entered a curve, he lost control of the car and collided with a large oak tree, the impact of which ejected Demott from the vehicle and threw him into a fence. Demott was declared dead at the scene.

The case was recently moved from San Fernando to Los Angeles, according to District Attorney’s Office records, however, court officials were not able to provide the reason for the move, and the prosecutor Ruby Arias-Giroux did not return calls seeking comment.

A pretrial hearing could discuss motions, any plea deals or calendar setting for an actual trial.

The teens were order to formally stand trial for the charges

On May 16, the delays in the trial for two Canyon Country men accused of reckless driving that led to the death of Dakota Demott prompted the District Attorney’s Office to seek a grand jury indictment, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.

Witnesses had told deputies that there were other vehicles involved in the crash.

Vensko was arrested because he was racing Doherty before the crash occurred, according to traffic investigator Deputy Mike Shapiro. Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the crash.

“Even though he didn’t cause the death directly, because he was street racing, he faces the same penalty as the driver,” Shapiro explained.

Vensko had two passengers in the car with him, but they are not being charged.

Doherty allegedly was driving the car in which Demott was a passenger.

Both drivers pleaded not guilty in December at their original arraignment.

At a hearing last month, Vensko had his bail reduced to $100,000, according to court officials.

Vensko made a reduced bail, and Doherty is still being held in lieu of $1 million bail.