LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Court TV) — A Kentucky man convicted Thursday of killing former University of Louisville cheerleader Shanae Moorman in a 2016 drunken driving crash walked out of court a free man.
Jurors convicted Bradley Caraway, 41, of reckless homicide and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Caraway was acquitted of the more serious charges of murder and manslaughter, and Judge Bailey Smith previously issued a directed verdict acquitting him of failing to render aid.
Caraway, who had two previous DUI convictions, was sentenced to the maximum of five years in prison, which Smith said he had already served while awaiting trial. Caraway initially went to trial last year, but the judge in that proceeding declared a mistrial when Caraway’s attorney became ill and could not continue, WDRB in Louisville reported.
FILE – Shanae Moorman (University of Louisville)
It took about four and a half hours of deliberation Thursday for the jury to come to a decision. Caraway will likely lose his driver’s license and be ordered to undergo an alcohol treatment program, but Smith said those consequences would be handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Moorman, 25, was ejected from Caraway’s black Honda Accord in the Aug. 6, 2016, rollover crash and pinned underneath the vehicle. She died of traumatic asphyxia caused by the immense weight of the car.
In their opening statement, prosecutors argued Caraway was driving his car around 3 a.m. when he sped onto the Interstate 64 ramp at the Gene Snyder Freeway. He lost control of the car, which flipped.
Moorman, who prosecutors said was a passenger in the car, was not wearing a seatbelt.
Authorities said Caraway, who had a previous DUI arrest, fled the scene and was found hours later, barefoot and without a shirt, walking along the freeway. Tests reportedly showed that Caraway had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.
In the defense’s opening statement, attorney Rob Eggert argued the defendant was not driving the vehicle when it crashed and that his blood was found on the passenger side of the vehicle. Caraway’s defense also claimed the integrity of the crime scene was destroyed by investigators.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 6 – 9/7/23
- The jury has found Bradley Caraway guilty of reckless homicide and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in the crash that killed Shanae Moorman.
- The prosecution delivered closing arguments, emphasizing their belief that Bradley Caraway was behind the wheel when his car crashed, killing Moorman.
- The defense delivered closing arguments, saying that Caraway was a passenger in the vehicle and that science backs up their claim.
DAY 5 – 9/6/23
- The prosecution rested its case.
- The defense called one witness, an accident reconstruction expert, to rebut testimony that Caraway was the driver at the time of the crash.
- Henry Cease Jr. testified that Moorman was driving the vehicle and Caraway was on the vehicle’s passenger side. Cease said that Caraway exited the vehicle first during the rollover during the right passenger window, while Moorman remained with the vehicle until its final resting place.
- WATCH: Fled the Scene Murder Trial: Expert Says Caraway Wasn’t Driving
- The Commonwealth recalled LMPD Detective Clarence Beaufort as a rebuttal witness.
- Lesser charges will be included for the jury to consider: second-degree manslaughter and reckless homicide
- Judge Bailey Smith issued a directed verdict on the second count of the indictment, which was for failure to render aid.
DAY 4 – 9/5/23
- Dr. Jeffrey Springer, Kentucky’s Medical Examiner, testified that Shanae Moorman died as a result of traumatic asphyxia — something heavy on her body preventing her from breathing.
- WATCH: Fled the Scene Murder Trial: Medical Examiner Testifies
- Bradley Caraway’s blood alcohol level at 3 a.m. on Aug. 6, 2016, was 0.202%, double the legal limit.
- Moorman’s alcohol level before her death was 0.204% and after death at 0.151%.
- Dr. William Smock, LMPD’s Police Surgeon, markings on Caraway’s chest and stomach were consistent with wearing a seatbelt.
- Phillip Hettinger, a paramedic who treated Caraway at the scene, testified that Carway told him that he had been left on the highway by a cab.
DAY 3 – 9/1/23
- Officer Manuel Cruz testified that he found Bradley Caraway walking down a ramp with no shirt and shoes with scratches all over his body.
- Forensic experts testified that Caraway’s DNA was the major contributor on the steering wheel and driver’s side interior windshield, while Moorman’s DNA was excluded on both.
- A mechanical forensic expert testified that there were no mechanical issues with Caraway’s vehicle at the time of the crash.
DAY 2 – 8/31/23
- Jurors heard the 911 call alerting law enforcement of the accident.
- A joint exhibit was offered into the record showing over an hour of surveillance video from inside Gerstle’s Place.
- Two police officers and two bystanders lifted the car off Moorman. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.
- Moorman drove to a friend’s house before the concert. The group used ride-share transportation to downtown Louisville.
- An ex-boyfriend drove Shanae Moorman to East Louisville to meet up with friends after the concert.
DAY 1 – 8/30/23
- The jury hears opening statements
- WATCH: Fled the Scene Murder Trial: Prosecution Opening Statement
- Defense attorney, Rob Eggert, says his client was not driving the vehicle that night and facts and science will prove it.
- During Detective Clarence Beauford Jr.’s testimony, it was revealed that count 4 of the indictment — no motor vehicle insurance — was dismissed. Caraway’s vehicle was insured at the time of the accident.
- The electronic device recorder report showed the vehicle was traveling 83 mph before the crash.
- Eyewitness James Smalley testifies he was driving in the center lane of the interstate when a car flew past him at a high rate of speed
