ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore credited the courage of Janae Edmondson testifying to jurors Thursday in helping secure a guilty verdict to Daniel Riley.
On Thursday evening, jurors found Daniel Riley, who recklessly driving a vehicle in February 2023 that would Edmondson both her legs, guilty of four of the five charges he was facing in court, with jurors recommending Riley to serve almost 19 years in prison.
Edmondson was a high school volleyball teenager from Tennessee who was struck by a car driven by Riley while walking with her family downtown following participating in a high school volleyball tournament.
The high-profile crash not only led Edmondson to lose both her legs and have them amputated, but would also serve as one of the first dominoes that would cost Kim Gardner her job, due to the fact Riley was not supposed to be out and was supposed to be under house arrest.
Edmondson testified to jurors hours before the verdict, recollecting the crash that cost her legs, along with telling jurors the rehab she had to go through. Times during her testimony, she visibly showed emotions when talking.
On Friday, Gore credited her strength and her testimony in helping secure the verdict.
"Her testimony went to the events of that evening and exactly what happened, so her testimony was powerful," said Gore. "She showed tremendous poise and I could not be more impressed with her resilience and courage."
Gore spoke to the media about the jury recommending almost 19 years for Riley and thought the sentence was fair.
"I will accept the judgement of the jurors and I will accept the judgment of Judge (Michael) Noble," said Gore.
Riley's sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 18th at the Carnahan Courthouse, in which Noble will determine if Riley's sentences will be served consecutively or concurrently.
