Woman was on three drugs doctors say

Defense: Prosecutors did not prove elements of some charges

By Matt Smith/Staff Writer

Two doctors called by the prosecution Wednesday testified that Julie Loraine Bradley, 46, of Alvarado had methamphetamine and other drugs in her system when she wrecked her Ford Explorer on Interstate 35W and killed a Grandview woman.

Bradley is on trial in Judge William Bosworth’s 413th District Court facing counts of intoxication manslaughter and manslaughter for the death of Carmen Marie Stanley, 49. If convicted, Bradley faces two to 20 years in prison on each count.

Dr. John Lasetar, director of Accu Chem Laboratories in Richardson, testified that analysis of blood taken from Bradley three to four hours after the July 24, 2005, incident revealed methamphetamine, Valium and Xanax in her system.

During opening arguments Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Martin Strahan said Bradley lost control of her vehicle while traveling north on I-35W because she was weaving and driving recklessly. Strahan said Bradley ran into the back of another vehicle, crossed the median, became airborne and struck Stanley’s Volkswagen Beetle, which was traveling north on I-35W.

Strahan said during a break in trial proceedings — and not in open court — that it has not been established that Bradley had a prescription for the latter two medications.

Lasetar said doctors rarely prescribe methamphetamine, a stimulant, and would almost certainly never prescribe it in conjunction with Valium and Xanax, which Lasetar characterized as depressants. Lasetar went on to differentiate between L methamphetamine, which does not affect the central nervous system, and D methamphetamine, which does. Lasetar said L methamphetamine is present in medications such as a Vicks Inhaler. He said D methamphetamine — the type of methamphetamine illegally produced and sold — is rarely used medically.

Records entered into evidence showed the methamphetamine in Bradley’s system to be 100-percent D methamphetamine.

Lasetar also said the amount of methamphetamine discovered in her system was likely lower than at the time of the accident because samples were not taken for several hours and some of the drug had passed through her blood system.

Strahan asked if Bradley could have ingested the drug a day or so earlier. Lasetar said it would have passed through her blood system almost entirely within 20 to 30 hours.

“So this was a very recent injection of [methamphetamine]?” Strahan said. “Not the leftover hangover from two or three days before?”

“Yes,” Lasetar answered.

Defense attorney Shelly Fowler asked Lasetar the effects of methamphetamine and Valium on a person’s system. Lasetar said the two drugs would combat each other but added it would depend on the amount of each drug ingested.

Lasetar told Strahan he did not test Bradley’s blood for marijuana when asked on redirect. Lasetar said it was possible for evidence of marijuana — or any other drug — to show up in a person’s urine but not their blood because that’s the way drugs pass through one’s system.

The state next called Dr. Geno Tellez, a trauma surgeon at John Peter Smith Hospital who treated Bradley and Stanley. CareFlite helicopters transported both women to the hospital after the wreck.

Tellez testified that Bradley’s urine drug screen, collected the day of the accident, tested positive for methamphetamine, marijuana and other drugs. Tellez testified that Bradley suffered a neck and ankle fracture.

Tellez also spoke about Stanley’s treatment at the hospital.

“She had massive, devastating injuries to her liver, which were obviously life-threatening,” Tellez said. “We discovered a large amount of blood in her abdomen, which is not good because it means there is not much blood circulating.”

Stanley passed away at 3:54 p.m. the day of the wreck.

An autopsy report submitted into evidence lists multiple fractures, lacerations, contusions and other injuries Stanley suffered in the accident. Her cause of death is listed as multiple blunt-force traumas sustained in a motor-vehicle accident.

The prosecution rested its case after Tellez’s testimony. Bosworth denied Fowler’s motions for a directed verdict on the ground that the state failed to prove every element of their case. Fowler argued that the state failed to prove Bradley operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated and that she drove recklessly prior to the wreck.

Fowler opened Bradley’s defense case by calling Bradley’s former husband, Chris Bradley. Chris Bradley testified that the truck Julie Bradley drove the day of the wreck — a 2003 Ford Explorer — sustained prior damage, including a large scratch or crease alongside both doors on the driver’s side.

Chris Bradley testified that the crease occurred when the truck was nine or 10 months old. Strahan asked if the car was insured and if Chris had attempted to have the damage repaired. Chris said it was insured and that he had contacted his insurance company but had not had time to take the truck in for a damage estimate.

“So, for two years you didn’t bother to fix this dent on a new car?” Strahan asked.

“Yes sir,” Chris answered.

After a break for lunch, Strahan said prosecutors believe the scratch or crease on the truck occurred the day of the accident, not earlier.

Matt Smith can be reached at

817-645-2441, ext. 2339,

or msmith@trcle.com.