Witness availability delays Flippin manslaughter trial

The misdemeanor manslaughter trial of a Ramona woman accused of causing a fatal motorcycle accident has been delayed to Oct. 21 because some witnesses were unavailable for trial in July.

Katrina Flippin, 29, is accused of making a U-turn in front of Mark Anthony Taylor, 46, who was on a motorcycle and was killed when the motorcycle he was driving hit her car on Sept. 15, 2009, at 5:10 p.m. in front of Olive Peirce Middle School. She is also accused of driving with a suspended license and without insurance. Deputy District Attorney Brooke Tafreshi said she asked for the delay in the trial because some law enforcement officers were out of town in the second week of July, so the July 7 trial date was vacated at her request.

Flippin waived her right to have a speedy trial and it was reset for Oct. 21. Tafreshi said she informed the victim’s family of the delay so they wouldn’t waste a trip coming to El Cajon.

At previous hearings, more than 50 people have showed up in support of Carolyn Taylor, the victim’s widow.

Officials report there was no alcohol or drug use by Flippin in the accident, the reason the charges are misdemeanors. She pleaded guilty to all charges on March 9, but was allowed to withdraw her plea May 4 after she learned the prosecutor was seeking the maximum one year jail term.

The probation department also recommended a one year jail sentence. Judge Gary Bubis allowed her to withdraw her plea as that was part of the agreement if the prosecutor was going to seek the maximum.

Flippin was driving a rented Dodge sedan and said she looked both ways before making a U-turn. A California Highway Patrol officer said at the time the victim had no time to react to the U-turn and he crashed into her car.

She remains free on her own recognizance and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.