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Trial In Chasco Fiesta Deaths Begins In Pasco

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By TODD LESKANIC | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 16, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Shannon Stephen is accused of running over two people who were walking back from the Chasco Fiesta two years ago while driving drunk. His trial started today.

The court spent the morning interviewing potential jurors before seating a six-member panel and an alternate this afternoon. The lawyers have given their opening statements, and testimony is under way.

Stephen, 36, faces two counts of DUI-manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He faces as much as 45 years in prison, if convicted as charged.

Sarah Gleason and Joseph Swiech were killed on March 26, 2006, while walking along Grand Avenue after leaving Chasco Fiesta, New Port Richey's signature street party and cultural celebration. They were walking home because their designated driver had been drinking.

Prosecutors say Stephen drove off in his pickup that day after getting drunk on rum and Cokes at a bar on Little Road, then ran over Gleason, 24, and Swiech, 26. Friends, who are testifying for the prosecution, say Stephen was stumbling drunk when he left Seven's Bar & Grill and nearly hit one of them before backing into another vehicle and tearing out of the parking lot. In past testimony, they've said they weren't able to get his keys away from him.

Defense attorney Kenneth L. Foote has argued a friend was actually driving Stephen's Chevy Silverado when it plowed into Gleason and Swiech. The friend drove off but then bailed after the pickup's engine seized, leaving a drunken Stephen behind the wheel to face the consequences, according to Foote.

Stephen's trial is expected to last four days.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (352) 521-3156 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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