Durham Man "Ready, Willing and Able" to Accept Responsibility in Fatal 2011 Crash

The competency of one of two men charged with manslaughter in the fatal crash that killed a 20-year-old Meriden man in July 2011 to stand trial is being questioned in court, according to the Middletown Press.

Defense attorney Jake Donovan on Thursday filed a motion for a competency evaluation for Jedidiah Roesler, 23, of Meriden, who along with former South Fire District Firefighter Stephen Tyrseck of Durham are charged with driving while intoxicated on July 24, 2011. 

Both entered not-guilty pleas in Middletown Superior Court related to the death of Alexander Martinez of Meriden.

Martinez, 20, was a passenger in a car driven by Roesler, which collided with a pick-up truck driven by Tyrseck at South Main Street and Highland Avenue in Middletown. He was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the 2002 Honda Civic about 2:30 a.m., according to police. Tyrseck was traveling south on South Main approaching Highland Avenue.

Roesler, the son of Meriden Public Library director Karen Roesler, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle, negligent homicide and reckless driving, DUI, traveling too fast for conditions, and improper turn. He is being represented by Attorney John R. Donovan, a former prosecutor for the state of Connecticut.

Tyrseck, represented by Rome McGuigan Attorneys, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle, negligent homicide and reckless driving, DUI, speeding more than 60 mph and failure to drive on the right.

On Thursday, the Press reports, Donovan explained that in recent conversations with his client, questions of whether he is competent to assist in his own defense have been raised.

Tyrseck was also in court Thursday, the Press reports, and his attorney said he was “ready, willing and able” to accept responsibility for the incident. He resigned from the department in mid-December 2012.

Both cases have been continued until March 8.

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