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A New Jersey man was found not guilty of homicide while driving under the influence and other charges stemming from an ATV accident that caused the 2009 death of his friend in Manchester Township.
Mark Renehan, 22, was found not guilty of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, DUI, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, in the death of Jonathon Byram, of Sykesville, Md.
“We’re just glad that it’s over,” said a member of Renehan’s family, as she walked out of the courthouse with the defendant. When asked if she would comment further, she said, “Of course not.”
Renehan’s attorney, Randolph Borden, said because of the nature of the case, it should have been examined more carefully before being brought to trial.
“It was a just outcome considering the circumstances. The jury, following the law, rendered a correct conclusion,” he said. “He [Renehan] lost his best friend,” which makes it difficult for both the defendant and the victim’s family.
The incident occurred on Minkler Mountain Road in Manchester Twp., on July 5, 2009, at around 4:05 a.m.
Renehan was operating a Kawasaki 750LE Teryx, when the vehicle traveled off the north side of the township road, and rolled over onto its passenger side. Byram was riding in the passenger seat. Both Renehan and a second passenger, Joseph Conners, of New Jersey, also were hurt.
Trooper Michael Joyce said he was dispatched at 4:26 a.m., and on his arrival he observed that the ATV had been removed from the scene and was parked in a garage of Renehan’s father, Thomas Renehan, about two-tenths of a mile from the crash scene. Byram was lying in the side yard, Renehan and Conners were in the house.
The affidavit states that Renehan drove the ATV home and said that Byram was injured. Renehan’s father retrieved Byram in another vehicle, and called 9-1-1. State Police interviewed Mark Renehan and reported detection of a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage from him. Renehan said that he and his passengers had been drinking prior to the crash, the affidavit states.
Damascus EMS treated Renehan and Conners at the house. Trooper Joyce stated that Renehan then asked for an attorney, and was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Renehan was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he refused to submit to a BAC test.
Conners related to police that Renehan was traveling at a high rate of speed, when he hit the brakes hard, and the ATV collided with a rock or ditch. Conners was riding in the dump box, and had jumped out before the accident. Byram had been in the passenger seat. After flipping over, Renehan frantically picked the ATV off Byram, then drove it back to his father’s to get help, while Conners stayed with Byram. Conners told police that Byram showed no signs of life.
First assistant district attorney Patrick Robinson said he was disappointed the jury’s outcome.
“I’m in no way criticizing the jury. They did the best they could with the complicated and convoluted case,” Robinson said. “State Police did a good job in their investigation.
“But unfortunately, due to the circumstances beyond their control, most of the evidence that would normally be available...was not available,” he said.
A New Jersey man was found not guilty of homicide while driving under the influence and other charges stemming from an ATV accident that caused the 2009 death of his friend in Manchester Township.
Mark Renehan, 22, was found not guilty of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, DUI, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, in the death of Jonathon Byram, of Sykesville, Md.
“We’re just glad that it’s over,” said a member of Renehan’s family, as she walked out of the courthouse with the defendant. When asked if she would comment further, she said, “Of course not.”
Renehan’s attorney, Randolph Borden, said because of the nature of the case, it should have been examined more carefully before being brought to trial.
“It was a just outcome considering the circumstances. The jury, following the law, rendered a correct conclusion,” he said. “He [Renehan] lost his best friend,” which makes it difficult for both the defendant and the victim’s family.
The incident occurred on Minkler Mountain Road in Manchester Twp., on July 5, 2009, at around 4:05 a.m.
Renehan was operating a Kawasaki 750LE Teryx, when the vehicle traveled off the north side of the township road, and rolled over onto its passenger side. Byram was riding in the passenger seat. Both Renehan and a second passenger, Joseph Conners, of New Jersey, also were hurt.
Trooper Michael Joyce said he was dispatched at 4:26 a.m., and on his arrival he observed that the ATV had been removed from the scene and was parked in a garage of Renehan’s father, Thomas Renehan, about two-tenths of a mile from the crash scene. Byram was lying in the side yard, Renehan and Conners were in the house.
The affidavit states that Renehan drove the ATV home and said that Byram was injured. Renehan’s father retrieved Byram in another vehicle, and called 9-1-1. State Police interviewed Mark Renehan and reported detection of a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage from him. Renehan said that he and his passengers had been drinking prior to the crash, the affidavit states.
Damascus EMS treated Renehan and Conners at the house. Trooper Joyce stated that Renehan then asked for an attorney, and was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Renehan was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he refused to submit to a BAC test.
Conners related to police that Renehan was traveling at a high rate of speed, when he hit the brakes hard, and the ATV collided with a rock or ditch. Conners was riding in the dump box, and had jumped out before the accident. Byram had been in the passenger seat. After flipping over, Renehan frantically picked the ATV off Byram, then drove it back to his father’s to get help, while Conners stayed with Byram. Conners told police that Byram showed no signs of life.
First assistant district attorney Patrick Robinson said he was disappointed the jury’s outcome.
“I’m in no way criticizing the jury. They did the best they could with the complicated and convoluted case,” Robinson said. “State Police did a good job in their investigation.
“But unfortunately, due to the circumstances beyond their control, most of the evidence that would normally be available...was not available,” he said.
