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A man charged in the drunken driving death of a Claypool teenager will have more time to prepare for trial now that a judge granted a continuance in the case.
Paul R. Finnegan, 20, of 3259 Wilson Ave., is charged with driving while intoxicated causing death and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Kosciusko Superior Court 3 Judge Joe Sutton originally set the trial for May 12 to meet the criteria of the speedy trial law.
The accident, which killed Andrew J. Cook, 19, of West CR 900S, Claypool, occurred May 18, and Indiana law requires that a defendant be tried for his offenses within one year of his arrest.
Finnegan allegedly left the scene of the 12:30 a.m. accident on Wildwood Trail, west of Nina Lane, at Goose Lake. When he was brought to a local hospital by a friend several hours later, Finnegan reportedly had a blood-alcohol level of .10 percent. Three other people also were injured in the accident.
Finnegan was taken into custody and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail at that time, but official charges were not filed until March.
At the request of Finnegan's court-appointed attorney, Mark Caruso, the trial was rescheduled for Sept. 15. The trial is expected to last three to four days.
Both of the offenses filed against Finnegan are Class C felonies. Each is punishable by up to eight years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Also, his license can be suspended for up to five years.
