In opening arguments at Robert Koistinen's trial in Hartford, his lawyer, Elliot Spector, told the jury whether Robert knew that his son Michael had been drinking is probably one of the most important factors in the case.
A few hours later, the jury heard a clearly impaired Michael Koistinen in his call to 911 after the crash that killed Henry Dang, 15, on Oct. 29, 2010, in Windsor Locks.
Jurors also heard witnesses testify about the ferocity of the crash as well as Robert Koistinen's behavior as one of the first police officers to respond to the scene.
Jeanne Johnson testified she told Koistinen she'd seen the driver throw something into her yard after the crash.
"Immediately," she said, "he looked down on the ground and viewed the immediate area around us," without a thorough search.
The object turned out to be a beer glass that was recovered days later. If it had been found that night, it could have triggered a drunken driving investigation of Michael Koistinen, whose blood alcohol content was not tested.
Spector argued in his opening arguments that the state has to prove that Robert Koistinen intentionally hindered the investigation.
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"As soon as he found out his son was involved, he knew he had to recuse himself," Spector said.
