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Defense Wraps Up Case in DUI-Manslaughter Trial

Jurors May Deliberate Tonight

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Staff Report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - The defense wrapped up its case a few minutes ago in the DUI-manslaughter case of Shannon Stephen, accused of running over and killing two people after the 2006 Chasco Fiesta.

Lawyers for the defense and prosecution will make their closing arguments to jurors about 4 p.m. Right now, it's unclear whether the jury will start deliberating tonight or come back in the morning for that.

Prosecutors say Stephen, 45, was drunk and behind the wheel of the truck that killed Sarah Gleason and Joe Swiech. They were run over while walking alongside Grand Boulevard about 1 a.m. on March 26, 2006, on their way back from New Port Richey's annual street festival.

Monday, a prosecution witness who was on his way to pick up Gleason, Swiech and another friend testified that he'd seen Stephen near the wrecked Chevy Silverado shortly after Swiech and Gleason were run over. Friends of Stephen have also said they had been drinking with him that night at a Little Road bar and saw him drive off, drunk, in his truck.

The defense has been trying to poke holes in that version of events, though.

Stephen's lawyer, Ken Foote, has argued someone else was driving his Chevy Silverado when it ran over Gleason and Swiech and took off after, leaving Stephen to face the consequences.

Today, a defense witness testified he saw two guys help Stephen into the passenger's side of a truck at the Little Road bar and then drive away with him.

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