A 31-year-old Grand Ledge man was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Travis Peterson on New Year’s Day in Lansing.
A 31-year-old Grand Ledge man was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Travis Peterson on New Year’s Day in Lansing.
Austin Smith, an employee of the downtown Lansing bar Brannigan Brothers at the time, was arraigned in 54A District Court on the charge. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Smith has posted 10 percent of a $20,000 bond, court records show.
Another man also is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case, but that man has not been arraigned, records show.
Prosecutors say both Smith and the second man committed an assault and battery on Peterson, 30, in downtown Lansing.
Peterson, of Lansing, died from injuries suffered during the incident, which happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, after Peterson and a cousin were asked to leave Brannigan Brothers because of an argument, family members have said. Peterson never emerged from a coma and died Jan. 3.
A preliminary hearing, which determines if Smith will stand trial, is set for April 20. His attorney, Andrew Abood, said Wednesday evening without discussing specific facts that all circumstances in the incident will need to be placed into context. “We’re reviewing the evidence,” Abood said. “We believe that ultimately that he’s going to be vindicated.”
A Brannigan Brothers manager Wednesday could not be reached for comment.
Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said a “unique set of facts” in the case led to the length of time it took to file charges.
“Often, the more witnesses you have, the more complicated things become — in particular, at 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s,” Dunnings said. He also said his office didn’t receive toxicology reports until a few weeks ago.
Dunnings would not get into specifics about what he believes happened.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clint Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
A 31-year-old Grand Ledge man was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Travis Peterson on New Year’s Day in Lansing.
Austin Smith, an employee of the downtown Lansing bar Brannigan Brothers at the time, was arraigned in 54A District Court on the charge. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Smith has posted 10 percent of a $20,000 bond, court records show.
Another man also is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case, but that man has not been arraigned, records show.
Prosecutors say both Smith and the second man committed an assault and battery on Peterson, 30, in downtown Lansing.
Peterson, of Lansing, died from injuries suffered during the incident, which happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, after Peterson and a cousin were asked to leave Brannigan Brothers because of an argument, family members have said. Peterson never emerged from a coma and died Jan. 3.
A preliminary hearing, which determines if Smith will stand trial, is set for April 20. His attorney, Andrew Abood, said Wednesday evening without discussing specific facts that all circumstances in the incident will need to be placed into context. “We’re reviewing the evidence,” Abood said. “We believe that ultimately that he’s going to be vindicated.”
A Brannigan Brothers manager Wednesday could not be reached for comment.
Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said a “unique set of facts” in the case led to the length of time it took to file charges.
“Often, the more witnesses you have, the more complicated things become — in particular, at 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s,” Dunnings said. He also said his office didn’t receive toxicology reports until a few weeks ago.
Dunnings would not get into specifics about what he believes happened.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clint Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
