JetMoses
March 9th, 2002, 6:44:24 AM
March 8, 2002
Driver Hit Man and Let Him Die in Her Garage, Police Say
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Topics
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Drug Abuse and Traffic
Drunken and Reckless Driving
Manslaughter
Fort Worth (Tex)
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ORT WORTH, March 7 (AP) — A nurse's aide hit a man with her car, parked in her garage with him still stuck headfirst in her broken windshield and ignored his cries for help as he bled to death over the next two days, the police said.
The driver, Chante Mallard, said she periodically went into the garage and apologized to the victim, but did nothing to help him, investigators said.
Ms. Mallard, 25, of Fort Worth, was arrested on murder charges on Wednesday and was later released on bond. She faces from five years to life in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
"I'm going to have to come up with a new word," said the Tarrant County prosecutor, Richard Alpert. "Indifferent isn't enough. Cruel isn't enough. Inhumane? Maybe we've just redefined inhumanity here."
The police said the victim, Gregory Biggs, 37, probably would have lived had he received immediate help. When he died, Ms. Mallard and her friends put his body in the trunk of another car and dumped it in a park, where it was found on Oct. 27, the authorities said.
Ms. Mallard admitted drinking and using the drug Ecstasy the night of the accident, and said she panicked after hitting Mr. Biggs, the police said.
When Mr. Biggs's body was found, evidence pointed to a hit-and-run, investigators said.
Lt. David Burgess said the police were contacted a few weeks ago by someone who said she heard Ms. Mallard talking at a party about the incident.
A search of Ms. Mallard's house turned up the damaged car with blood, hair and other evidence, the authorities said.
Ms. Mallard's lawyer, Mike Heiskell, said he believed "this was simply a case of failure to stop and render aid."
The medical examiner's office said Mr. Biggs suffered no internal injuries and apparently died from loss of blood and shock.
Ms. Mallard told investigators that she went into the garage a few times and apologized to the victim but never called for help as he pleaded with her. She would not say why she would not get help, Lieutenant Burgess said.
Charges may be filed against the friends who helped Ms. Mallard dispose of the body, Lieutenant Burgess said. The police do not know if anyone else knew about the incident while the victim was alive.
Medical examiner's records listed Mr. Biggs's address as a homeless shelter in Fort Worth. His mother, Meredith Biggs, said she had recently begun looking for him.
"How could she just leave him like that to die?" Ms. Biggs said. "Drugs and alcohol wear off, so why didn't she get him some help?"
:bluangel:
Driver Hit Man and Let Him Die in Her Garage, Police Say
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Topics
Alerts
Drug Abuse and Traffic
Drunken and Reckless Driving
Manslaughter
Fort Worth (Tex)
Create Your Own | Manage Alerts
Take a Tour
Sign Up for Newsletters
ORT WORTH, March 7 (AP) — A nurse's aide hit a man with her car, parked in her garage with him still stuck headfirst in her broken windshield and ignored his cries for help as he bled to death over the next two days, the police said.
The driver, Chante Mallard, said she periodically went into the garage and apologized to the victim, but did nothing to help him, investigators said.
Ms. Mallard, 25, of Fort Worth, was arrested on murder charges on Wednesday and was later released on bond. She faces from five years to life in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
"I'm going to have to come up with a new word," said the Tarrant County prosecutor, Richard Alpert. "Indifferent isn't enough. Cruel isn't enough. Inhumane? Maybe we've just redefined inhumanity here."
The police said the victim, Gregory Biggs, 37, probably would have lived had he received immediate help. When he died, Ms. Mallard and her friends put his body in the trunk of another car and dumped it in a park, where it was found on Oct. 27, the authorities said.
Ms. Mallard admitted drinking and using the drug Ecstasy the night of the accident, and said she panicked after hitting Mr. Biggs, the police said.
When Mr. Biggs's body was found, evidence pointed to a hit-and-run, investigators said.
Lt. David Burgess said the police were contacted a few weeks ago by someone who said she heard Ms. Mallard talking at a party about the incident.
A search of Ms. Mallard's house turned up the damaged car with blood, hair and other evidence, the authorities said.
Ms. Mallard's lawyer, Mike Heiskell, said he believed "this was simply a case of failure to stop and render aid."
The medical examiner's office said Mr. Biggs suffered no internal injuries and apparently died from loss of blood and shock.
Ms. Mallard told investigators that she went into the garage a few times and apologized to the victim but never called for help as he pleaded with her. She would not say why she would not get help, Lieutenant Burgess said.
Charges may be filed against the friends who helped Ms. Mallard dispose of the body, Lieutenant Burgess said. The police do not know if anyone else knew about the incident while the victim was alive.
Medical examiner's records listed Mr. Biggs's address as a homeless shelter in Fort Worth. His mother, Meredith Biggs, said she had recently begun looking for him.
"How could she just leave him like that to die?" Ms. Biggs said. "Drugs and alcohol wear off, so why didn't she get him some help?"
:bluangel: