Jury retires to decide Pine Plaza crash case

At 12:59 p.m. today, a nine-man, three-woman jury retired to determine the guilt or innocence of Nicholas Robert Berto.

Justice Annalisa Rasaiah spent two hours and 36 minutes instructing jurors on law related to charges against the 20-year-old Saultite of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and failing to stop to offer assistance to Paul VanderGriendt.

During its deliberations, the jury will have access to security camera video of the Mar. 12, 2016 crash outside The Harp Bar and Grill that left VanderGriendt unable to use his arms or legs.

Judge Rasaiah told the jury to reach its verdict without sympathy, prejudice or fear of public opinion.

SooToday will post coverage the verdict as soon as it's delivered.

NOTE: SooToday does not permit comments on court stories.