Trial begins for John McClintock intoxication manslaughter case

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - The trial begins for John McClintock.  It's been nearly two years since he was accused of driving the wrong way on I35 while drunk - hitting and killing a veteran on a motorcycle. This happened on Veterans Day in 2015.

John McClintock was in court Tuesday as trial begins in his intoxication manslaughter case.
It started with the state reading the indictment:
"...operated a motor vehicle in a public place and was intoxicated. By reason of that intoxication, caused the death of Domonick Turner by accident of the state."

The state claims that McClintock used a deadly weapon, his motor vehicle, during the offense.
He gave an intial plea of guilty in court Tuesday. It was Veterans Day 2015 when Austin Police say they received several 911 calls around 4:00 a.m. about a driver going the wrong way down I35. Dash cam video shows police catching up to him and trying to get him to stop. McClintock reportedly entered the off ramp of 183, traveling about 14 miles. Ultimately, striking turner on his motorcyle and a second vehicle. Cpl. Hector Campos was first to take the stand.

Domonick Turner was 25 years old and Army veteran. He was visiting a colleague in Texas before heading out for a job interview.

"His life ended tragically. Not fighting for our country, not fighting for us, not because of some danger or evil in Afghanistan. He died because John McClintock, the danger and the darkness of John McClintock's choices," says the prosecution.

Surveillance video from inside Homer's Bar and Grill in North Austin shows what happened earlier in the night. McClintock could be seen drinking at least 6 beers and 3 shots within about 3.5 hours. He was there with a group of co-workers including Kevra Ray.

"Why were you concerned about him driving? He looked really tired. How could you tell he looked tired? His eyes weren't wide open," Kevra Ray being questioned, co-worker of McClintock.

After the bar, they went to IHOP - even at one point telling him not to drive. Ultimately at around 4:00 a.m. he got behind the wheel, attempting to drive to his home in San Marcos which ended tragically. Over the past two years, McClintock has been trying to change his life.

"Once he really came to grips that he was an alcoholic, and that this would be his battle for life, he started attending meetings every single day," says the defense.

Trial will start back up again Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and is expected to last for days.