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Highlands Today

Upcoming Ruling On Motions Pushes Back T.K. Hill Trial

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: February 13, 2009

SEBRING - The DUI manslaughter case against Travis Kelton Hill III will next come before Judge Peter Estrada at a March 18 pretrial conference.

It had previously been set for trial starting with jury selection on Feb. 9

In the interim, Estrada will issue an order defining the specifics of a subpoena filed by the defense to request certain documents, according to assistant state attorney David Ward.

Defense attorney Richard Pipkin said Thursday the motion is requesting documentation on the equipment that was used to analyze the blood the state is claiming is the defendant's. The machine is manufactured by Beckman Coulter.

"This machine is 10 years old and we want to know if they've ever had any FDA recalls," Pipkin said. "We're trying to get any internal documentation as to any problem with the machine."

Ward said the subpoena of documents is a way for the defense to try and, "discredit the instrument."

Hill, 20, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and negligent vehicular manslaughter after the Dec. 30, 2006, death of Kristin Marie Dessingue, 16, of Coconut Creek. She was a passenger in the defendant's truck.

A Florida Highway Patrol report found that Hill missed a left-hand curve and lost control, which caused the truck to flip several times, according to an Aug. 23, 2008, Highlands Today report. The defendant and the victim were both ejected.

Hill suffered back and neck injuries, while a third passenger, Jake R. Dressel, sustained minor injuries.

Troopers reportedly counted 47 beer cans around the accident scene. At the Lake Placid hospital where Hill was taken, a blood alcohol sample allegedly registered .179. The legal limit is .08.

Previously, a motion to dismiss the blood alcohol evidence against Hill was denied by Estrada.
Assistant state attorney Steve Houchin thought Hill's blood was supposed to be drawn and analyzed by the Tampa hospital where he was flown by helicopter, so he subpoenaed the Lake Placid hospital for an admission and discharge summary.

The hospital voluntarily sent the blood alcohol information, according to the earlier Highlands Today report.

Pipkin said Thursday that EMTs treating Hill observed no indication that he was under the influence of alcohol.

"The state is claiming it's T.K.'s (blood) and we've got serious doubts about that," he said.

Equipment manufacturer Beckman Coulter objected to the broadness of the defense's subpoena, according to Ward, and filed a motion for a protective order. A hearing was held Feb. 3 and Estrada will issue an order defining the specifics of the subpoena.

Hill was the starting quarterback in his junior and senior seasons at Avon Park High School. Before the accident, he was being looked at by Alabama, LSU and Florida International University.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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