Copyright 2006 The Topeka Capital-Journal
By STEVE FRY
Topeka Capital-Journal (Kansas)
The trial of a man charged with killing a paramedic who was driving toward Topeka in December resumes today in Shawnee County District Court.
On Monday, a jury of six men and six women was chosen to decide whether Victor Anzua-Torres, 28, is guilty of reckless second-degree murder tied to the fatal Dec. 5 crash in which Ryan P. Ostendorf, 28, of Lawrence, was killed.
Two alternates, both of whom are men, also were selected. The trial was in recess Tuesday.
Anzua-Torres, 28, also is charged with a felony count of aggravated battery in connection with injuries suffered by passenger Jose Martinez, of Topeka, and misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving without a license and driving on the left side of the roadway. Anzua-Torres has pleaded not guilty to the five charges.
A passenger in the Anzua-Torres sport utility vehicle testified during a preliminary hearing on Feb. 7 that he begged Anzua-Torres to stop the speeding vehicle, a black 1999 Cadillac Escalade, and quit driving in the oncoming lane.
Dianna Quesada, 41, of Topeka, the girlfriend of Anzua-Torres and the SUV owner, is cited in connection with allowing an unauthorized person to drive and failure to use a seat belt, according to Shawnee County District Court records.
Ostendorf worked for American Medical Response.