No June trial for T.K. Hill

The DUI manslaughter case against Travis Kelton Hill III will not be ready for trial in June.

That was the announcement from defense attorney Richard Pipkin to Judge Peter Estrada during Wednesday's pretrial conference.

Pipkin told Estrada that an expert witness for the defense, who is both a medical doctor and a toxicologist, was added three weeks ago. Because of the state's large caseload, the earliest the doctor would be available for a deposition by prosecutors would be July 22 in Palm Beach.

The attorney added that this is the last witness the defense will disclose.

"You hate to give guarantees, but as far as I'm concerned, the defense is ready for trial at this point," Pipkin said.

A special pretrial conference was scheduled for Aug. 5, with an anticipated jury trial to follow in September.

"Gentlemen, I expect at that time that I'm going to be told by both sides that everything is done and over with and this matter will be going to a jury," Estrada told both Pipkin and Assistant State Attorney David Ward.

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, causing the truck to flip several times. The defendant and the victim were both ejected.

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

At the Lake Placid hospital where Hill was taken, a blood alcohol sample allegedly registered .179. The legal limit is .08.

Before the end of Wednesday's conference, Estrada addressed accusations received by the clerk's office and pretrial release office that Hill had violated the court's pretrial release order.

"Whoever's making these phone calls does not wish to come forward and give their name, so unless they do so, I don't think I have any authority whatsoever to have a hearing to determine whether or not they actually revoke Mr. Hill's pretrial release order and put him into custody pending his trial," Estrada said.

The judge also said that pretrial release had recommended the defendant start doing random breathalyzer and urinalysis tests. However, since the allegations are simply hearsay, Estrada did not think he had the authority to issue such an order unless there was a violation in front of him or a request to modify the pretrial release.

"I want to emphasize to you, Mr. Hill, if you're doing anything, people are watching you," Estrada told the defendant.

FAST FACTS

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.