MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The man accused of a deadly hit-and-run at the University of Minnesota has been found guilty on nine counts, according to the jury.
The jury found 29-year-old Timothy Bakdash guilty in all counts except first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree attempted murder, after nearly eight hours of deliberation.
Bakdash was found guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and criminal vehicular homicide, among other charges.
Prosecutors said he ran over a group of U of M students on purpose last April. The defense argued he was too drunk and high to know what he was doing.
WCCO Radio Interviews Timothy Bakdash’s Attorney
The incident killed 23-year-old Ben Van Handel and injured Katelynn Hanson and Sarah Bagley. Bagley suffered severe leg injuries in the crash.
WCCO Interviews Van Handel Family On Verdict
Police say Bakdash was upset over an argument at a nearby bar. They say he drove down the wrong way of a one-way street — 5th Street Southeast — and hit the students.
Bakdash’s lawyers say the incident could not be defined as a “premeditated” act because Bakdash was too drunk and high at the time.
Bakdash says he drank 15 to 20 alcoholic drinks and smoked marijuana before getting behind the wheel. That would put him at an estimated 0.3 blood alcohol concentration, more than three times the legal limit.
WCCO Interviews Leslie Falk, Friend Of Ben
The prosecution said a witness in the car with Bakdash heard him say, “they deserved it.”
The jury began its second day of deliberations Tuesday morning.
The full list of counts against Bakdash:
Count 01: Murder in 1st Degree (Not Guilty)
Count 02: Murder in 2nd Degree
Count 03: Felony Murder
Count 04: Criminal Vehicular Homicide
Count 05: Attempted Murder in 1st Degree (Not Guilty)
Count 06: Attempted Murder in 2nd Degree
Count 07: Assault in 2nd Degree
Count 08: Criminal Vehicular Operation
Count 09: Attempted Murder in 1st Degree (Not Guilty)
Count 10: Attempted Murder in 2nd Degree
Count 11: Assault in 2nd Degree
Count 12: Criminal Vehicular Operation
