Rochester Man Accused of Killing Barrington Couple in Crash Could Get Plea Deal
The man accused of killing a Barrington couple in a late-night car crash last year will have a routine remote proceeding next month, but prosecutors plan to offer a plea deal ahead of the proceeding.
Joshua McCarthy, 33, of Rochester is facing two charges of manslaughter, two charges of negligent homicide, three counts of witness tampering and falsifying physical evidence, according to Rochester police.
The proceeding, known as a dispositional conference or a status and scheduling conference, will be held March 25 on the phone, Katelyn Henmueller, an assistant county attorney, wrote in an email.
McCarthy’s attorney, public defender David Betancourt, did not return a phone call seeking comment.
A grand jury indicted McCarthy last month on the eight charges in connection to the killing of 64-year-old James Hughes Sr., who police said died on his way to the hospital, and his wife, 59-year-old Suzanne Hughes, who died at the scene, in a crash near Washington Street and Fillmore Boulevard in Rochester on Sept. 19.
Henmueller did not respond to a question about the result of the grand jury investigation.
McCarthy, who was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, allegedly ran a stop sign and collided with the Hughes’ 2010 Dodge Journey, police said.
There were three passengers in McCarthy’s pick-up truck, two of which were taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, police have said.
McCarthy allegedly attempted to convince the passengers, including a 17-year-old, to lie to the police on his behalf, according to his indictment.
Although McCarthy did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, McCarthy and his passengers may have been drinking, Capt. Todd Pinkham, of the Rochester police, has said. McCarthy allegedly dumped alcohol prior to first responders arriving to the scene of the accident, according to the indictment.
A single manslaughter charge carries a possible 15-to-30-year prison sentence, according to court papers.
McCarthy has been free on bail since December.
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