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LOCAL CORASANTI GEE
Dr. James Corasanti looks on as the defense presents closing arguments in his fatal hit-and-run trial, in Erie County Court, Tuesday, May 29, 2012. {Photo by Derek Gee / Buffalo News}

Jury Has Corasanti Trial



Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The jury now has the trial of James Corasanti and will deliberate until 9 this evening. This after prosecutors and defense attorneys presented closing arguments. Each closing summation lasted nearly two hours.

In the defense argument, attorney Cheryl Meyers-Buth said the jury should acquit the defendant on all five counts. The defense doesn't think the prosecution was able to prove that Dr. Corasanti was drunk, texting, or speeding on Heim Road the night of the accident.

For example, Meyers-Buth noted that one witness testified that the defendant  was drunk at Transit Valley Country Club, or on the way to surrendering at the NOCO station on Millersport Highway. And police found no evidence the defendant was driving erratically, even after the point of impact.

She noted that the trail of windshield wiper fluid was generally in a straight line.

In his closing argument, prosecutor James Bargnesi repeated what he had said in his opening statement - that this is a simple case. He says Corasanti was clearly drunk, and if he wasn't drunk, Bargnesi wondered why he didn't agree to a breathalyzer test just before 2am on the morning of July 9th.

Bargnesi told the jury that Dr. Corasanti - who he referred to as a "digestion expert" - knew that the longer he waited for a breathalyzer test, the better chance he'd have for a blood alcohol level at the legal limit.

Bargnesi also told the jury it has all the evidence it needs to find the defendant guilty on all the charges he faces.

Corasanti faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting resulting in death, and tampering with evidence.

The tampering charges are related to tissue found on the defendant's BMW and deleted text messages the night of the accident.

If the jury does not reach a verdict by 9pm, the panel will be sequestered overnight at a nearby hotel.

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Topics : Law_Crime
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Locations : Buffalo
People : Alix RiceCheryl Meyers-ButhJames Corasanti
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