Judge Denies Senser's Motion To Throw Out Verdict

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Amy Senser's motion asking a judge to throw out her guilty verdict in the hit-and-run death has been denied.

District Court Judge Daniel H. Mabley said, "specifically, the defendant said she was 'adamant' she hit a cone or a barrel. However, the defendant testified she did not see or know what she hit, so it would have been impossible for her to have been truthful regarding her certainty."

He added that the jury speaks through it verdict.

Senser's attorneys pressed her case in Hennepin County Court on Thursday.

Senser was found guilty earlier this month on three counts, including two felonies, in the hit-and-run death of Anousone Phanthavong last August. She hit him as he filled his gas tank on an exit ramp along Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, then she drove off.

Her attorney, Eric Nelson, says there was insufficient evidence for the convictions and that the state failed to prove Senser knew she hurt or killed someone.

With this ruling, Senser is still scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. She faces up to four years in prison.

Senser is the wife of former Minnesota Viking and restaurant owner Joe Senser.