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Woman Pleads Not Guilty In Fatal Accident
FIRST REPORTED 3:00pm 11/28/12 A Galesburg woman says she's not guilty of an accident at the end of October that killed a Knox College student trying to cross the street near campus.

33-year old Lakeesha Smith entered the plea during an arraignment hearing Wednesday morning in Knox County Circuit Court. Through Public Defender Jim Harrell, Smith also asked for a trial by jury.

Smith faces charges including Reckless Homicide, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death, and Aggravated Driving Under the Influence.

Smith was in a car travelling down South Street early October 28th when she struck Knox College junior Tundun Lawani, who was trying to cross the street near campus. Lawani was later pronounced dead.

Judge Scott Shipplett Wednesday also denied a reduction of the $100,000 bond for Smith, citing in part several other felony convictions Smith has had in recent years.

Harrell asked for the bond to be reduced to $25,000, saying the current bond is excessive.

A pre-trial conference in the case has been scheduled for February fourth, with a trial possibly beginning two weeks later.


(Lakeesha Smith)
11 28 12 by Newsroom
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