Police Investigation and Court Appearances

The police report says McClintock visited Koether at her house before the crash. They left the house together but Koether “did not remember” when they were headed.

“Prior to driver one and Koether leaving her residence, driver one told Koether that he was driving because he was better to drive than Koether. Koether then allowed driver one to drive vehicle one,” the police report stated.

Koether made several appearances in Ewing municipal court before her case was set up for review to the county prosecutor.

At a Feb. 21, 2018 appearance, Koether told the judge she did not understand why she had been ticketed or the potential consequences if she was found guilty.

The judge explained to her that she faced possible fines, the loss of her driving privileges for months and could possibly have an ignition interlock installed in her car since allowing a drunk person to drive was no different than her getting behind the wheel blitzed, according to the recording of the proceeding.

“I’m under distress, your honor, so I’m really not comprehending what’s going, as I am in such shock because of Brandon McClintock’s death,” Koether said. “This is really not the time. I respect the rights of a death. So it’s not the time.”

She demanded a month from the judge to retain an attorney. The judge gave her two weeks.

“I’m not sure I can have lawyer due to [having to pay] my rent or a lawyer,” she told the judge.

When Koether grew argumentative, the municipal prosecutor told her,”The judge is giving you some options. If you could comply, you do so.”

Koether didn’t want a state-assigned public defender because “The state is going to try to find me guilty.”

The judge attempted to explain that a public defender worked in her interests to protect her rights but she wasn’t having it, according to the recording.

Koether asked the case to be adjourned to a later date, claiming she didn’t know what was going on.

Scott, the municipal prosecutor,

told the judge that Koether seemed to understand fine when she talked to her before the hearing and had her sign something.

Koether then claimed she signed documents under duress because the prosecutor threatened to have arrested.

“I want to cope with death of someone of which who took my car, and I’m also being accused of a death,” Koether said. “This is not the time. I apologize, with all due respect.”

Koether was never charged with vehicular manslaughter, and McClintock did not die as a result of the crash, so it was unclear what she meant.

Growing impatient with her outbursts after the hearing ended, the judge instructed Koether to stop interrupting his courtroom or he’d hold her in contempt, according to the recording.

She shouted that she wanted to speak with a “grief counselor.”

“Be quiet ma’am,” the judge ordered.

At a subsequent court appearance, the municipal prosecutor Scott informed the judge that Koether’s mother had potentially tampered with witnesses.

Koether’s mother allegedly threatened Ochanas and Simons, who were present at the proceeding.

Scott said Koether’s mother’s statements “border on tampering with the witness,” and she pointed

out that Koether’s mom attempted to ingratiate herself with the judge by showing a “familiarity with yourself.”