A teenager will avoid the possibility of 25 years in prison after a grand jury reduced his aggravated manslaughter DUI to a misdemeanor charge.
Sawyer Steede, 19, was charged with aggravated manslaughter after 18-year-old Kaleb Barker fell out of the back of Steede’s 2003 Chevy Silverado in September. Barker died from his injuries. Starkville Police Department conducted an investigation and concluded that Steede had alcohol in his system at the time of the incident and was negligent in Barker’s death. Both were MSU students at the time of the incident.
The case was presented to a grand jury in Oktibbeha County last week.
Steede’s lawyer, Columbus attorney Rod Ray, presented an expert witness who testified the pickup truck malfunctioned and moved by no fault of Steede’s. According to Ray, Barker’s parents also testified and asked the jury to have mercy on Steede. The grand jury concluded there was not enough evidence to take the case to trial and the charge was reduced to a first offense misdemeanor DUI.
“What got the grand jury was the expert report and the fact that the victim’s family didn’t want anything to happen to this poor boy because they knew it was an accident,” Ray said.
Barker’s family asked for leniency because the two teenagers had known each other since they were children, Ray said.
“They grew up in each other’s living room playing. They were in a band together. It’s awful. Just awful,” he said, adding, “It’s the worst thing I’ve ever dealt with.”
In addition to be being best friends, Steede and Barker were roommates at MSU. They were both attending MSU on academic scholarships.
While Steede is relieved he is no longer facing the possibility of 25 years in prison for Barker’s death, Ray said the teenager is still in shock and mourning the loss of his friend.
“He’s relieved. But still, his life is forever altered because his best friend is gone,” Ray said. “Obviously he’s still very upset that this whole thing happened. I’m glad for everybody’s sake that there were some mechanical situations that contributed to it.”
Steede’s DUI trial date has not yet been set.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
