The trial of a man accused in the death of Roanoke lawyer Tom Farrell will go forward on manslaughter and felony hit-and-run charges, but the judge has dismissed murder charges against Jeffery Young.
There were no witnesses to the 2008 incident where Farrell was struck by a vehicle and killed while jogging. Young never gave any coherent statement about the incident. According to The Roanoke Times, Circuit Judge William Alexander today ruled that there was insufficient evidence of malice or premeditation to support murder charges in the case.
Young’s lawyer, Neil Horn, was expected to present evidence in support of an insanity defense. WDBJ reports Horn will present his sole witness by conference call when the trial resumes tomorrow.
By Peter Vieth
