Trial for Pledger pushed back until May

Tamika Pledger’s jury trial for manslaughter and aggravated battery has been continued until May 22, according to an announcement today.

Special Prosecutor James L. Spies said the trial had originally been scheduled for Feb. 6 in Wyandotte County District Court.

Pledger was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of aggravated battery when her Mercedes Benz struck four teenagers on Jan. 30, 2015, near 13th and Troup in Kansas City, Kan. One of the teens, Tierra Smith, died, and three others were hospitalized.

The court accepted a request by Pledger’s new attorney, Michael J. Gunter of Kansas City, Mo., who stated he needed more time to prepare for trial and to go over a large number of documents.