Testimony Begins In Kimberly Graham Trial

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK-- Seven people took the stand on Tuesday in the trial of woman accused of running over five people and killing them.  The first statement by Kimberly Graham's attorney admitted she did hit the people, but says it wasn't manslaughter.

03/9/2009 Related story: Jury Selection Held In Kimberly Graham Case

More than two dozen close friends and family packed the courtroom for the hearing.  There were a lot of tears as eyewitnesses described the scene.   One driver, who saw the impact first hand, called it an explosion of bodies.         

Graham's defense attorney told the jury immediately that she struck those five people and then left the scene.   He tells The News On 6 that his defense is based on the argument that hitting the people doesn't constitute manslaughter because Graham wasn't drunk and she didn't cause the crash.  That's because the victims were crouched in the middle of the street.

Graham wept openly as her attorney painted the gruesome picture of her car hitting body after body.   The testimony began 16 months to the day that Graham turned herself in for the hit and run.

"It's been a nightmare. Living without him. He was an amazing father. It's been a nightmare. We're slowly getting closure.  This will be our closure," said Shannon Lacey's wife, Jody Eacret.

Prosecutors called witnesses who said Graham was drinking heavily throughout the night, was speeding and driving erratically, and ignored a man diverting traffic with a flashlight.

Prosecutors will continue to present their case on Wednesday morning.