Thursday, May 22, 2025
64.0°F

Trial in Powers case moved to May 10

David Cole | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 4 months AGO
by David Cole
| January 11, 2016 8:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE — A trial scheduled to start last week was moved to this spring for a woman facing three felony charges stemming from two serious vehicle accidents she allegedly caused on Jan. 21, 2014, in Coeur d'Alene.

Kara L. Powers, 35, of Coeur d'Alene, is now scheduled to be tried by a jury starting May 10. First District Court Judge Lansing Haynes will be on the bench for the seven-day trial in Kootenai County.

In court documents, Powers' attorney James Siebe wrote that the parties haven't been able to set, schedule and hear pretrial motions.

Siebe also added the defense hasn't had an opportunity to have the blood drawn from his client after the accidents be analyzed by an independent lab, or make arrangements for a toxicologist to testify for the defense.

He said another defense expert witness had a schedule conflict.

Authorities said Powers was driving an SUV when it collided with another vehicle.

A good Samaritan pulled over to check on the drivers involved. At that point, Powers — who according to police reports was wearing a bathrobe, sweatpants and slippers — allegedly walked to the Samaritan's car and drove away with it.

According to police investigators, Powers allegedly drove that car at high speeds and rear-ended a pickup on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive near Potlatch Hill. Both vehicles rolled multiple times, and the pickup's driver was injured.

Prescription pills were allegedly found in Powers' SUV by investigators.

Powers is charged with aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and grand theft.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Accident trial delayed for the fifth time
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 8 years, 4 months ago
Crash trial delayed 5 times
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 8 years, 4 months ago
Suspect in felony crashes dies before trial begins
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 7 years, 11 months ago

ARTICLES BY DAVID COLE

March 7, 2015 6 a.m.

Firefighters battle Athol fires

ATHOL — Dry and breezy conditions Friday and a homeowner torching weeds accidentally set in motion a fast-moving wildland fire that burned roughly 50 acres.

August 23, 2014 9 p.m.

Wandering grizzly gets to Glacier

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Ethyl, the 20-year-old wandering female grizzly, has arrived at one of the greatest grizzly bear territories in the world — Glacier National Park.

January 29, 2016 10:28 a.m.

Update: Samuel verdict in

Closing arguments completed Friday morning