But Sacoolas still refuses to return to the UK to face a lawsuit and his lawyer Amy Jeffress now argues that his client would not be prosecuted in the United States for a similar accident.
Sacoolas admits he was driving on the wrong side of the road when he hit Dunn in August 2019.
But Jeffress argued that this would not be enough for a lawsuit in the United States.
“This type of accident, if it had occurred in the United States, would not be prosecuted criminally. Therefore, in the United States, these cases are only prosecuted when there is evidence of recklessness that reaches the level of almost intentionality, so driving while intoxicated, distracted driving or a hit-or-run situation. But there was none of that here, “Jeffress told BBC radio.
CNN legal analyst Paul Callan contested the attorney’s claim.
“I don’t believe that attorney Amy Jeffress’s statement accurately describes U.S. law. Driving on the wrong side of the road and killing someone in the process could be a crime in the United States,” said Callan, a former New York City homicide prosecutor. York, told CNN on Tuesday.
“In recent years, several US states have enacted criminal statutes regarding ‘vehicular homicide’. These statutes make it possible to sue for negligent direction in particularly flagrant circumstances. Driving on the wrong side of the road can fall into this category under some of the statutes, “said Callan.
Sacoolas was accused in the UK of causing the death of Dunn, 19, for dangerous driving, but the US State Department refused a request from the UK to extradite her.
“In fact, we have made efforts to resolve this case, prior to her return. We understand that community service is a typical sentence for offenses like this and we have offered since more than a year ago that she would be willing to serve that type of offense. phrase and make a contribution to Harry’s memory, take other steps to try to bring some peace to the family, “added Jeffress.
Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, rejected the offer.
“I made a promise to Harry the night he died that I would get him justice. There is no circumstance in which I will break that promise. You cannot kill someone and leave. This campaign has been all about responsibility and ensuring that no one is above the law, “she said in a statement on Tuesday.
Robert Buckland, the UK Secretary of State for Justice, told BBC Radio Today that the current situation has resulted in justice being denied.
“The current situation is a denial of justice. Instead of talking about the sentence that would be appropriate, we are really going to deal with the issue of liability first,” he said on Tuesday.
“It is good to see Mrs. Jeffress, whom I respect enormously, finally reaching the British public,” Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said in a statement on Tuesday.
“However, I would encourage you to enter into a dialogue with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that Ms. Sacoolas faces the UK justice system. It is not for any of us to judge this case in public. We have one of the fairest legal systems in the world and it is vitally important that justice is not only done by Harry, but is seen as done. “
Seiger added: “Mrs. Sacoolas must give a full account of what happened under oath in the Court and the matter must be left in the hands of the judge and the jury.”