Nurse testifies about blood sample

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Dr. James Corasanti manslaughter trial resumed Thursday after a two hour delay. Erie County Court Judge Sheila DiTullio announced that Juror 4 has been replaced by Alternate 1, but she did not explain why once court resumed at noon.

All along, defense attorney Joel Daniels said he was going to question the blood sample collection process. He did so on Thursday with a nurse on the witness stand.

Hope Dalrymple, an emergency room nurse at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, drew Corasanti's blood using a DWI blood kit on the morning of July 9th, hours after the fatal hit and run crash that killed 18-year-old Alexandria Rice.

Dalrymple testified that Corasanti's eyes "appeared a little glassy." Daniels asked if Dalrymple knew this was a criminal case, and she acknowledged she knew there was a warrant out for a hit and run.

Prosecutors say Corasanti's blood alcohol content was found to be .10 percent - above the legal limits. During his cross examination, Daniels hammered Dalrymple about the drawing of Corasanti's blood.

"Did you do anything to prevent blood from flowing in the tube?" Daniels asked.

"No," Dalrymple replied.

But Daniels insisted the blood stopped flowing in both tubes.

"I thought it would fill the way it was designed to fill," Dalrymple testified.

"Vacuum may have been defective?" Daniels asked.

"I guess," answered Dalrymple.

Daniels suggested that the blood kit might have been defective because two of the tubes filled up only a little more than half way, and not the maximum. Dalrymple replied the tubes might not have filled properly because she had missed the vein.

Then on redirect examination, prosecutors asked whether there was any indication of problems with the DWI kit. Dalrymple simply replied, "No."

Corasanti faces manslaughter, leaving the scene and evidence tampering charges. The trial continues on Friday.