Panzino drops plea; readies for trial

AUBURN — A local man police said ran down another man as retribution for an earlier fatal accident withdrew his guilty plea Monday and plans to go to trial on related charges.

William Panzino, 21, of 336 Merrill St., had agreed earlier in January to plead guilty to a charge of reckless conduct and was expected to spend 14 days in jail. He also had agreed to pay restitution to Kyle Karkos, the pedestrian he hit. The overall sentence would have been 18 months, plus two years on probation.

All that changed Monday when Panzino discovered in Androscoggin County Superior Court he would lose his driver's license for three years.

With a baby less than a year old and a full-time job, Panzino said he would take his chances on a trial, probably sometime in April.

Karkos was knocked to the ground by Panzino's car in June and treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.

Kakos had been driving the car in 2006 in which Kenny Jellison Jr, 18, was killed when Karkos lost control and the car hit a light pole on a Lewiston street.

Karkos, 17 at the time, was acquitted of a manslaughter charge.

Prosecutors said Panzino intentially ran down Karkos as retribution for that accident.

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Comments

jeffyd's picture
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no shortage of witnesses

alot of people were at the fair that day. dont see hows he's going to get out of this one. he will end up with more time to serve and still lose his license.

Philster's picture
verified

Since when does having a 3

Since when does having a 3 year license suspension ever stop anyone from driving?

djsparky's picture
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08/26/09 08/13/09 CONVICTION

08/26/09 08/13/09 CONVICTION - OPERATING AFTER SUSPENSION/COURT RECORD
VIOLATION-DATE: 08/11/09 (09-3076/D-LEWI)
08/26/09 09/12/09 DRV SUSPENSION TO 11/11/09 - ADMIN SUSP ON CNV (DMV)
CHARGE: OPERATING AFTER SUSPENSION/COURT RECORD
VIOLATION-DATE: 08/11/09

Want to guess who's driving record this is. They are part of this story.

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