JUDGE

Verdict Reached in Trial of Man Charged in Massachusetts State Police Trooper's Death

A verdict has been reached in the trial of a man facing a manslaughter charge in connection to the 2016 death of a Massachusetts State Police trooper.

Judge Janet Kenton-Walker is set to announce her decision at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the trial of David Njuguna, who is accused of killing Trooper Thomas Clardy after he allegedly struck his police cruiser.

Prosecutors said Njuguna was high on marijuana and driving at speeds that exceeded 80 mph when he hit Clardy’s cruiser on the Massachusetts Turnpike in March 2016.

"He drove with reckless disregard for his own limitations and the safety of the public, his decisions and actions caused the death of Trooper Thomas Clardy," Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Travers said during the trial.

The defense argued that their client suffered a seizure prior to the crash.

Forensic scientists testified about four pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes that were allegedly found in Njuguna’s car. THC was also found in the defendant’s blood.

Njuguna’s jury-waived trial was interrupted briefly after he had an outburst in court in which he apologized to Clardy’s widow and openly questioned his lawyer.

The incident prompted the defendant’s previous lawyer, Peter Ettenberg, to withdraw from the trial.

Contact Us