Dr's atty ques. girl's mental health

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A prominent local doctor is charged with drunk driving and leaving a girl to die.

Now, the case has taken a stunning turn. Prosecutors say Dr. James Corasanti only cared about himself on the night Alexandria Rice was struck and killed. Wednesday, Corasanti's defense lawyer made some strong statements in court about the victim.

Attorney Joel Daniels asked for Alexandria Rice's mental health records, claiming she had a history of depression. The prosecution fired back, calling it blatant attack on the victim, and that no one is at fault but Dr. Corasanti.

>> See a timeline of events that fateful night here

Prosecutors say the Amherst doctor drunk, speeding and texting when he allegedly struck and killed the 18-year-old girl, and then took off. The prosecution says Rice was in the bike lane, skateboarding home from work last July around 11:20 p.m.

A few months ago, Corasanti pleaded pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including second degree vehicular manslaughter, second degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of tampering with physical evidence and DWI.

On Wednesday, inside an Erie County courtroom, defense attorney Joel Daniels asked Judge Sheila DiTullio to dismiss all charges against the doctor. Daniels also asked for the victim's mental health records, and questioned who was at fault in the accident.

The defense speculated that maybe the victim could have been erratically riding on her skateboard and somehow contributed to the accident. Daniels says Rice had marijuana in her system at the time of the accident and on social media sites referred to herself as a "cutter" who suffered from depression.

After about an hour, the prosecution responded and called Daniels remarks "offensive" and a "blatant effort to blame the victim."

Corasanti faces a maximum of 23 years in prison if he's convicted of all the charges. A trial is scheduled to begin April 23.