Hit-And-Run Suspect's Mother Faces 2 More Counts
Editor's note: As of Tuesday, Aug. 16, the two additional charges have been dropped. Diane Bakdash is only charged with a misdemeanor for obstructing the legal process. Her next court appearance is Aug. 26.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The mother of a man accused of intentionally hitting a Wis. man, who later died, has been charged with two more counts for her role in the incident.
Diane Patricia Bakdash, 66, was charged with a felony count of being an accomplice to a crime after the fact, for allegedly telling her son to get rid of the damaged car and signing the title so he could sell it to a friend.
On Monday, a second felony count for aiding an offender and a misdemeanor of obstructing the legal process was added to her charges.
Bakdash's son, Timothy Bakdash, 29, of Roseville, is accused of using his car to hit Benjamin Van Handel, 23, of Appleton, Wis., on April 15. Van Handel later died from his injuries. Two women were also injured in the incident.
Prosecutors say Bakdash intentionally hit the man in an act of revenge, but Van Handel wasn't his intended target. It appears to be an case of mistaken identity.
Still, investigators said Bakdash was just as liable whether he intended to kill Van Handel or someone else.
