PORT ANGELES – A jury Thursday found 19-year old Shawn Louis Newman guilty of leaving the scene of a fatal car-pedestrian collision and driving under the influence of alcohol, but not guilty of vehicular homicide in the death of Steven Biss.
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Kelly said she was disappointed in the verdict.
“I think it shows sympathy for an 18-year old.”
Newman’s attorney, Karen Unger, said his family was relieved.
“I know they feel the verdict was a fair verdict.”
The Port Angeles man was charged with vehicular homicide and hit and run in the death of Biss, 48, also of Port Angeles, on Jan. 29, 2006.
The 6 1/2-day trial began last week in Clallam County Superior Court.
Families on both sides of the courtroom wept.
Newman was not taken into custody. He is under electronic home monitoring.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21.
Newman was an 18-year old Port Angeles High School senior when he hit Biss, who was walking along U.S. Highway 101 to his Port Angeles home near the Welcome Inn RV and Mobile Home Park.
