MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The wife of an ex-Vikings star appeared in court Thursday morning to face a second felony charge for a hit-and-run that killed a man.
Last fall, prosecutors charged Amy Senser with one count of criminal vehicular operation in the death of 38-year-old Anousone Phathavong.
On Monday, a second count was added because prosecutors say Senser did not contact police quickly enough. She admitted hitting Phathavong a week after the crash.
Senser appeared in a Hennepin County courtroom Thursday morning for only a few minutes. Several of the victim’s relatives were in court Thursday, as well.
A judge did not let Senser enter a plea because her defense attorneys filed a new brief with the court. The judge needed time to review it before allowing her to enter the plea.
The attorney for Phanthavong’s family says Senser’s lack of cooperation is slowing down the process.
“We’re disappointed in how Miss Senser has handled this. From what we can tell she’s done the absolute minimum in cooperating with police and the investigation,” said Jim Ballentine, the family’s attorney.
The defendant’s husband Joe Senser was with her in court Thursday morning. However, the couple was able to avoid the media. According to the Senser’s attorney Eric Nelson, they were escorted out of the building through a private entrance.
This is extremely rare. Nearly everyone leaves through one of two exits.
But their attorney says it’s because the family’s been threatened and they’re concerned about Amy Senser’s safety.
Senser’s attorney said we’ll learn a lot more about the circumstances in this case in a few weeks.
Amy Senser is due back in court in March. The judge set a trial date for April.
