State v. Beel

Patrick Beel appeals his conviction of negligent homicide.

In Spokane in the early morning hours of April 17, 1980, defendant Beel turned out of a parking lot and proceeded to drive north on Sherman Street when his car nearly collided with a van which had backed out of a restaurant parking lot. Insults were exchanged between the occupants of the van and Beel, ultimately resulting in a physical altercation. Beel was assaulted and the windshield and driver's side window of his car shattered. After sitting in his car for a few moments with the horn on and lights flashing, Beel drove away. He…