GARNETT — A Chanute woman who once faced murder charges related to a drunk-driving crash near Colony that killed her 13-year-old niece two years ago agreed to a last-minute plea deal her trial last week. The Anderson County Review reported 46-year-old Connie McCormick pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor. The plea came after a lengthy discussion between Judge Eric Godderz and Anderson County Attorney Fred Campbell about the legal interpretation of the felony manslaughter charge against McCormick and the vagueness about what legislators had intended. Campbell told the Review that rather than re-charge McCormick, he agreed to the plea deal. McCormick was driving south on U.S. 169 near 700 Road when her SUV went into a ditch and flipped end-over-end. Her niece, Mary Jane Robertson, was thrown from the rear hatch of the SUV and was killed. She wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. McCormick initially was charged with second-degree murder, DUI and other charges, but a judge ruled the state didn’t have enough evidence for those charges.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m.
