Nestande in court Aug. 31
A former Capitol worker charged in a deadly hit-and-run last year now faces more serious charges, according to the district attorney’s office.Gabrielle Nestande, a former Legislative aide to Rep. Wayne Christian in The Texas House, was indicted Wednesday on manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter charges, both second-degree felonies.
The 25-year-old was previously charged with failure to stop and render aid after police say she struck 30-year-old Courtney Griffin with her black BMW in the early morning hours of May 27, 2011. Griffin was walking to her home at Exposition Boulevard at the time.
Nestande, a native of California, then fled the scene to a friend’s house nearby. She was taken into custody the following morning when she went to work on the House floor at the State Capitol.
A homeowner discovered Griffin’s body in her driveway shortly after 5 a.m.
Nestande now faces up to 20 years in prison for both manslaughter charges. Jury selection for her trial on the failure to stop and render aid charge was set to begin Monday. Her attorney tells YNN they will ask for a new February trial date during a hearing Friday morning.