Long Gets Two Years - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

4/22/05

Long Gets Two Years

Lubbock Sheriff's Office Lubbock Sheriff's Office

Two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, that is the sentence a Lubbock jury handed down to Callie Long following an Intoxication Manslaughter Conviction. The case centered around an August 2003 traffic crash. While driving drunk, Long hit bicyclist, Brett Walrath, on the Loop 289 access road. He later died from his injuries. The trial lasted two weeks.

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"It's not over ," those were Callie Long's last words just moments after 12 jury members sentenced her to two years in prison for Intoxication Manslaughter. Long's attorney, Dan Hurley said, "we will begin the appeal immediately, there were things done wrong in this trial."

Prosecuting Attorney Rod Hobson said, "This has been a nightmare for everyone involved, we have the easy job presenting the case, it was the jury that had to decide."

After five long hours of deliberating punishment, the jury walked into the courtroom exhausted and unable to hold back their tears while the life changing sentence was read. LaKeisha's cousin Tommy Smith said, "Callie is still walking and breathing, Brett is dead." Lakeisha Walrath, Brett's widow, was too fatigued to speak, but her family and friends say she is trying to be strong for her son. Smith said, "They will take it one day at a time, Christian doesn't have a father now."

But this isn't the last you'll hear from the Walrath family. They still have a $32-million lawsuit against the Outback Steakhouse, there are still questions about Loop 289 access road being without lights, and there's also a question about the police investigation. Hobson says, "When the main officer doesn't even make an appearance it handicaps the state. I wish I knew where Alan Davis was." Hurley also added, "I am going to find out who deleted files, who had it in their possession, and who decided to delete it on their computers."

Both attorneys feel the incomplete accident investigation hurt both their cases, and Rod Hobson says he thinks something needs to be done with LPD before it happens again. "Lubbock needs an accident investigation team."

After the sentencing was read, the defense asked the court to allow Callie Long out on bond for $20,000 while they appealed the decision.

4/19/05
Long Trial- Day 6: Callie Long Takes the Stand
The last day of testimony just ended in the trial of a Lubbock woman accused of intoxicated manslaughter. On Tuesday, Callie Long took the stand in her own defense.
4/18/05
Long Trial- Day 5: Chris Winn Takes The Stand
The man accused of running over Brett Walrath a second time was put on the stand Monday. His testimony was part of the intoxication manslaughter trial against Callie Long, who is accused of hitting a bicyclist.
4/15/05
Long Trial- Day 4: Victim's Widow Takes the Stand
The Callie Long trial continues on to day four. She is the woman accused of hitting a man with her car while intoxicated. On Friday prosecutors called Brett Walrath's widow to the stand.
4/14/05
Long Trial- Day 3: Expert Testimony Reconstructs Accident Scene
Reconstruction has been a major piece of the puzzle for the Callie Long case.
4/13/05
Long Trial- Day 2: Prosecution Tries to Prove Intoxication
Was Callie Long legally intoxicated the night she hit bicyclist Brett Walrath? That's the question attorneys argued in a Lubbock courtroom.
4/12/05
Long Trial- Day 1: Testimony Begins In Intoxicated Manslaughter Trial
The courtroom battle began Tuesday for Callie Long, a Lubbock woman accused of hitting a bicyclist while drunk, and then fleeing the scene.