Legal News

Mich. woman pleads no contest to murdering 4 teens

By (Breaking Legal News)

The woman accused of killing four Lake Shore High School teens in a car crash last year pleaded no contest this morning to four counts each of second-degree murder and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death.

Frances Dingle, 48, of Mount Clemens, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19 in Macomb County Circuit Court. She faces a minimum of 19 to 30 years in prison and a maximum of life. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

"The families are somewhat relieved that they don't have to sit in court for the next three weeks and relive that horrific night," Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said.

Authorities say Dingle was driving drunk when she crashed into a car carrying all four teens on March 16, 2009.

Jury selection was set to take place today before Macomb County Circuit Judge Don Miller. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, Frances Dingle's attorney, Mike Dennis, said he worked with prosecutors Friday on a "rather lengthy" jury questionnaire.

Full post as published by Breaking Legal News on April 13, 2010 (boomark / email).