Attorney for truck driver faces possible sanctions

Denver attorney Robert Corry could be sanctioned for speaking to the media earlier this week after a court hearing for his client who is accused of initiating the deadly Interstate 70 crash in April that killed four people.

A Jefferson County district judge on Thursday set a hearing for Aug. 13 to determine whether Corry violated court orders by speaking to reporters after an arraignment.

Corry represents Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, the 23year-old Texas truck driver who faces 41 charges, including multiple counts of vehicular homicide and attempted first-degree assault. Pete Weir, the First Judicial District Attorney, said in a motion that Corry’s statements have been “manipulative” and are meant to influence a potential jury pool. Weir requested that a judge sanction the attorney for “repeatedly and blatantly violating the Court’s order.”

The district attorney also asked for a complete restriction on media engagement from defense and prosecution unless permitted by the court.

Corry fired back on Friday, telling The Denver Post that he has “every ethical right and responsibility to respond.”

“The prosecution’s efforts to muzzle the defense is a vindication of our open approach to this case,” Corry said.

“Protecting my client’s reputation is also my responsibility as defense counsel. I have every right to do that.”

Authorities said Aguilera-Mederos was traveling 85 miles per hour on April 25 when he slammed into stopped traffic on Interstate 70 near Colorado Mills Parkway in Lakewood. Six other people were injured.

Corry has previously argued that Aguilera-Mederos’ brakes went out at some point during his descent from the mountains.