Man convicted of murder in Forest Lake car-into-crowd case
(ABC 6 News) – Dylan Robert Simmons was convicted of 2nd-degree murder without intent, criminal vehicular homicide, and three counts of 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon– his car — in the death of Darisha Bailey-Vath and injury of three others in a Forest Lake group of people.
A Washington County jury acquitted Simmons of one charge: 2nd-degree murder with intent.
Simmons drove his car into and over 17-year-old Rochester native Darisha Bailey Vath in the aftermath of a July 2023 fight in Forest Lake.
The 21-year-old North Branch man’s defense argued that he had done so in self-defense.
Simmons’ sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2025.
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(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Washington County pushed Dylan Robert Simmons’ jury trial back to Dec. 9-13.
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(ABC 6 News) – On Tuesday, a Washington County judge denied Dylan Robert Simmons’ motions to dismiss his murder and criminal vehicular homicide charges, as well as a motion to disallow testimony from law enforcement officers.
The prosecution also filed a motion alleging that a witness, Ryan Anderson, told the State’s attorneys the defense had advised him not to speak with them “and he wished to respect that” when they attempted to contact him ahead of trial.
The state requested a hearing to discuss which witnesses the defense had advised not to speak with them, and “discuss remedies.”
“Interfering with access to material witnesses and material evidence is prejudicial to the administration of justice,” the state wrote in the Nov. 19 motion.
Simmons’ court proceedings are scheduled to continue Nov. 20-22.
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(ABC 6 News) – A Washington County judge heard arguments about testimony and behavior in court ahead of Forest Lake murder trial.
Dylan Robert Simmons, 21, faces two counts of 2nd-degree murder, a count of criminal vehicular homicide, and three counts of 2nd-degree assault.
Witnesses told police Simmons intentionally drove his car into and over 17-year-old Rochester native Darisha Bailey Vath in the aftermath of a July 2023 fight in Forest Lake.
On Thursday, April 25, Simmons appeared for an omnibus hearing. His defense informed the court that Simmons plans to rely on the following argument at trial: Self-Defense and Authorized Use of Force pursuant to Minnesota Statute 609.06, Subd. 1(3).
Since April, Simmons’ defense and prosecution made 11 court filings containing around 50 separate motions concerning evidence and arguments to be made during trial.
From the defense:
Oct. 30: Simmons’ defense attempts to prevent the state from arguing for an aggravated, or comparatively harsh sentence compared to Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
The state also moves to keep the State from mentioning an alleged assault at a Stacy, MN gas station July 15.
Nov. 13: The defense moves to dismiss all charges against Simmons — as well as prohibit the testimony of three officers because of what the defense calls “egregious due process … violations.”
Nov. 15: The defense lists 40 requests in a single document. Among them: motions to sequester all witnesses; require the state to disclose “Brady” material relating to any law enforcement officers called; motions to prevent any witness, law enforcement officer, or attorney from commenting on the credibility of any speaker, or from stating if they have an opinion about Simmons’ possible guilt.
The state also requests that no observer wear clothing that could “inflame the passions” of the jury. The motion lists a hypothetical t-shirt with the slogan “Justice for Danisha” as an example.
Simmons’ victim was named Darisha, not Danisha.
The state further requests that testimony about Simmons possibly assaulting Darisha Bailey-Vath or friends be prohibited during trial, and that the number of photos and videos of the victim’s injuries be limited, to again avoid “inflam(ing) the passions of the jury.”
From the prosecution:
Nov. 15: The State files motions to prevent the defense from attempting to offer negative evidence related to the character of the victim, 17-year-old Darisha Baily-Vath.
If the court does allow such evidence, the state moves to enter evidence of a fight Simmons was allegedly involved in days before the Forest Lake incident.
The State also writes that the defense motion to dismiss all charges “contains numerous false claims and misrepresentations of fact, and that the state will ask the Court to deny the defense motion in its entirety.”
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Family mourns Darisha Bailey-Vath at celebration of life – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com