Man Convicted for Deadly Crash
***UPDATE 2:56 P.M.***CAMDENTON, Mo. — A Jefferson City man has been convicted of two counts of second-degree murder for causing an accident that killed two people in August 2011.A Camden County jury also found Damien Bryan, 41, guilty of driving under the influence. Donald Edwards, 58, of Russellville and Joan Hamilton, 75, of Lenexa, Kansas died in the crash. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Bryan failed to yield and hit Hamilton’s car, causing it to overturn into the path of Edwards’ car. The accident happened in Jefferson City.Court records indicate Bryan had at least three prior guilty pleas for driving under the influence of alcohol.***UPDATE 7:39 P.M. THURSDAY***Jury selection finished Thursday morning, and prosecutors presented their evidence.Bryan’s defense lawyers are expected to wrap up their case by Friday afternoon, followed directly with closing arguments.***ORIGINAL STORY***Thursday morning a Mid-Missouri murder trial will get underway again, after a mistrial last month. Police say last August Damien Bryan was drunk when he crashed into a vehicle in Cole County, killing two people. Bryan is also a repeat offender, with a history of at least three DWIs.The trial has been moved to Camden County and should last two days.A mistrial was declared in September after a law enforcement officer made a remark in court about Bryan’s prior DWI convictions.
