The man accused of killing four people in a plane crash near Dayton International Airport will undergo a second psychological evaluation.
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It is reported News Center 7 6:00the accident occurred on April 1, 2024, at Boeing Avenue and the airport access road.
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Larry Edwards, 77, of Tipp City, Richard Coatney, 77, of Piqua, Richard Turnbull, 67, of Lewisburg and Stephen Cassel, 72, of Clayton, were all killed.
State troopers found Clayton Hughes responsible for the accident.
Judge Elizabeth Ellis ordered Hughes’ hearing on Thursday to proceed in order, possibly anticipating a lengthy discussion of the defense’s legal strategy.
“Mr. Hughes entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity,” Ellis said.
But that changed when prosecutors asked the judge.
“Your Honor, we are going to ask Dr. Marciani to sit down with Hughes to do an evaluation,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Dodd.
Prosecutors decided to have their own experts examine Hughes’ mental state as it related to the accident nearly two years ago.
>> Previous reports: Driver accused of crash near Dayton airport that killed four people arrested
Police wrote in the report that Hughes rear-ended a driver on Interstate 70 and drove toward the airport in a Volvo SUV.
He crashed into another van at an intersection, killing the four men inside.
A fifth person in the second vehicle was seriously injured.
Police believe Hughes was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.
He faces multiple charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, aggravated vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident and OVI.
Hughes’ attorneys asked the judge to throw out potential evidence against him, including two state trooper reports and interviews conducted while he was hospitalized.
“Mr. Hughes’s speech was also involuntary, which provides a separate basis for suppression,” they wrote in court documents.
The judge previously heard arguments on the documents and reminded attorneys that she also wanted written arguments.
“We have received joint briefs on motions to suppress; those will be filed next,” Ellis said.
Hughes is expected to return to court in March.
News Center Channel 7 will continue to pay attention to this matter.
Hughes, Clayton Daniel (August 16, 1997) – was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on August 6, 2024 at 5:24 pm, booking number 24-010305. Second Degree Felony – Agg Vehicular Homicide (Pending); Third Degree Felony – Comprehensive Vehicular Assault (Pending); First Degree Misdemeanor – Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Pending); First Degree Misdemeanor – Infl Alcohol/Drugs Op (Pending); Third Degree Felony – Vehicular Homicide (Pending); Fourth Degree Felony – Agg Vehicular Assault (Pending);
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