Prosecutors would face high bar in filing Amtrak charges
Prosecutors are trying to determine if the Amtrak engineer at the controls of a train that derailed in Philadelphia last week committed a crime.
Former prosecutors say 32-year-old Brandon Bostian could face criminal charges if law enforcement finds he was reckless or negligent when the train approached a curve at 106 mph. But any prosecution would have to pass a high bar: Bostian is unlikely to be charged if the crash is deemed an accident.
Lawyers suggest the charges under review would include reckless endangerment, involuntary manslaughter, third-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Jurors, though, would have to find significant negligence to convict.
Bostian’s lawyer has not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Associated Press. Robert Goggin has said his client has no memory of the May 12 derailment.
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