Castle Rock – About 100 people, mostly students and friends, gathered at the Douglas County courthouse this morning to support a teen driver facing vehicular homicide charges.
“It feels really good to know everybody is here to support me,” said 17-year-old Todd Stansfield.
Stansfield is the sole survivor of a crash last year that killed three of his teenage friends and the driver of another car.
Among Stansfield supports were parents of at least two of the victims.
“They’re great people,” Stansfield said of his friends’ parents. “I love them so much.”
Killed in the June 18 2004 accident Tony Majestic and Sean Student, both 16, Michael Budge 17, and 77-year-old Marvin “Mike” Gilchrist, the other driver.
Ivan and Mary Majestic, Tony’s parents, and Sherri Budge, Michael’s mother, were there to support Stansfield.
Stansfield was 16 at the time of the two car collision and had his driver’s license for ten days.
Stansfield faces adult felony vehicular homicide charges and could be sentenced to prison of convicted.
Supporters say the teen should be charged as a juvenile and should not have to face jail or prison time.
Michael Knight, a spokesman for the Douglas County District Attorney’s office, said Stansfield is charged with numerous counts, including misdemeanors.
It will be up to a jury to decide his guilt or innocence, Knight said.
Stansfield’s trial was set for September 27 and should last eight days.
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303 820-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
