Manslaughter Indictment Looms
For Police Officer Andrew Kelly
By Ryan Thompson
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
JAY STREET — Tuesday, a Brooklyn grand jury began investigating the case of NYPD officer Andrew Kelly, who is charged with driving drunk and running over a Brooklyn woman last month, killing her.
The off-duty officer has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
Vionique Valnord was killed as she tried to hail a cab after a wedding reception in Flatlands.
Valnord’s family met with Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes on Monday to discuss the case. The lead assistant district attorney assigned to the prosecution was also present.
The Valnords’ attorney, Sanford Rubenstein, of 16 Court St., told the Eagle that Hynes assured them that officer Kelly would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and that if the Internal Affairs investigation turned up evidence of a police cover-up to aid Kelly, then those crimes will also be prosecuted.
There has been some allegations that police officers gave Kelly water and chewing gun at the scene of the accident to mask the smell of alcohol. Seven hours later, after the court ordered a blood test, Kelly’s blood-alcohol content was zero.
Rubenstein said that the grand jury investigation will likely last about two weeks.
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