Testimony underway in Geske trial

GREEN BAY - Testimony is underway in the trial of a De Pere woman charged with killing two young women in a drunken driving crash.

Prosecutors say Anrietta Geske was drunk and speeding when the crash happened.

The crash killed 18-year-olds Talhia Heroux and Ashley Britsch-Knetzger.

Monday, lawyers on both sides selected nine men and five women from the Eau Claire area as jurors. The jury is coming from out of the area because of all the media coverage on the case.

12 witnesses testified Tuesday. Some who saw the crash, others who helped at the scene.

The courtroom was packed during the day one of the trial. Families and many friends of the victims were there. Some hugged and cried during testimony.

At one point Geske hung her head low and wiped her eyes.

Witnesses ranged from off-duty police officers to responding paramedics and eye witnesses.

Some officers said Geske admitted to drinking alcohol. They also said her speech was slurred, shortly after the crash. Though Geske's defense argued she may have simply been in shock.

One witness, 17-year-old Tyler Hampton, testified to seeing Geske driving on Oneida Street before the crash.

“I was slowing down the Porsche sped past me,” Hampton said. “I went through the red light. I didn't see any brake lights go on.”

“At the last second the Porsche tried to swerve left to avoid it but it hit the car towards the front by the driver's side,” Hampton continued. “I basically sat there looking at it, I was shocked.”

And after witnessing the crash Hampton left the scene without talking to police. In cross examination he said a few days later officers tracked him down and cited him for drag racing that night.

At the time of the incident Hampton was 16-years-old.

Jurors, attorneys, the judge, and Geske will visit the intersection where the crash happened. They will do that Tuesday night.