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Micro-sleep effects of apnea cited in homicide case

Written by: David Castillo on January 22nd, 2011

Micro-sleep effects of apnea cited in homicide case | read this item

A recently retired Rancho Bernardo resident, along with five other individuals, was injured in a chain of reactionary crashes that occurred Tuesday. An attorney for the defense panel however says that the defendant suffers from sleep apnea and had lost consciousness, thus explaining why the fatal collision occurred.

Deputy District Attorney Chandelle Konstanzer talked to jurors and explained how the 57-year-old defendant, Anthony Guarino, pleaded guilty to charges of driving under influence on the night of August 20 last year. The prosecutor further shared that the culprit’s blood alcohol levels was pegged at approximately 0.15 percent around a couple and a half hours right after the fatal collision occurred.

65-year-old film fan Marc William Durham was on his way to see a movie when at 9pm, he met his demise under the hands of Guarino. The prosecutor adds that Guarino admitted to have been drinking Jack Daniels whiskey at a National City bar before the accident happened. Defense meanwhile claims innocence citing micro-sleep side effects of sleep apnea causing sufferers momentary loss of consciousness.

Source: 10news.com