Driver in fatal Clark County bus crash files appeal
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) – A man convicted of vehicular manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter has filed an appeal in Clark County.
According to court records, the man convicted of causing a deadly school bus crash in Clark County has filed an appeal.
Last May, Hermanio Joseph was driving a minivan in Lawrenceville, Ohio that veered left of center on State Route 41. The minivan hit a school bus and killed 11-year-old Aiden Clark. More than 20 others were hospitalized.
Joseph, who did not have a valid U.S. driver’s license at the time of the crash, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Because Joseph did not have a valid U.S. license, charges were upgraded to felonies rather than misdemeanors.
He was sentenced to between nine and 13 years in prison. Now his lawyers are asking the court for an appeal, claiming his right to a fair trial was violated because he was denied a change of venue.
His legal team argues that a Clark County jury, where the deadly crash happened, was not impartial. They also argue that he was denied effective counsel because his previous lawyers did not renew the motion or include supporting evidence to change the venue.
The new legal team is asking the court to reverse his conviction and commit to a new trial and an impartial location.