Truck driver pleads not guilty in deaths of two Marion women
An Emporia truck driver charged with vehicular homicide in the death of two Marion women entered a plea of "not guilty" Monday morning in Marion County District Court.
J.B. Miser, 62, of Emporia pleaded not guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide for the May 10 deaths of Marion residents Brandi Billbe and Lori Leeders.
Miser's attorney, Douglas Jones, entered the pleas on his client's behalf.
Jones told Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Mike Powers that Miser wished to waive the formal reading of charges.
Both Jones and Marion County Attorney Susan Robson asked that the trial be scheduled within "four to six weeks" in order to have ample preparation time
Powers tentatively scheduled a pre-trial status conference for 11:30 a.m. May 23.
Miser was the driver of a semi tractor-trailer which failed to stop for road construction on U.S.-50 near Peabody and rear-ended the Marion women's vehicle.
In a separate case, a court hearing was continued for an El Paso, Texas, truck driver also charged with two counts of vehicular homicide after he failed to stop for construction on U.S.-50 that resulted in the deaths of two men.
No hearing date had been announced at press time for Michael W. Hardwick, 50.
