SEQUOYAH COUNTY (KFSM)—The prosecution team has begun its preparations as it seeks a conviction of conspiracy for three suspects involved in an ATV accident in September 2013.
Angela Gray could have spent up to three years in jail, but the jury deadlocked in August 2015 over who was driving the ATV.
Gray will soon face another jury on conspiracy charges, and Special Prosecutor Michael Ashworth said he plans to prove she drove the ATV drunk, and her son Joey Gray and his friend Kyle Brannon tried to take the blame.
Since that accident, all three defendants in the conspiracy case have been arrested on other alcohol-related charges.
Angela Gray was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest in January 2015. Joey Gray was arrested last month on suspicion of DWI, and Brannon was also arrested last month on suspicion of public intoxication.
“No matter what the circumstances were, or what they say they were at the time, you would think that the people would not want to be associated with vehicle and alcohol,” Ashworth said.
As the Mayberry family members wait for another trial, they said they’re taking things one day at a time.
Christian Mayberry and his mom Kim spoke to 5NEWS on Wednesday (July 6).
“He's doing really good,” Kim Mayberry said. “Our struggles are the things that come with a brain injury, and that is some depression and anxiety and things like that."
But despite it all, Christian still has his sense of humor.
“I'm single and ready to mingle,” he said. “I had to say it.”
His mom Kim said he's come a long way since he was in a hospital bed. Mayberry, 16 at the time, was ejected 12 feet from an ATV and left in a ditch for several hours, according to the sheriff's office. About three years later, he still suffers from cognitive injuries he endured that night.
“He didn't say a word for almost six months, couldn't move his left side for about 11 months, didn`t take one step for well over a year,” Kim said.
Kim said Christian goes to physical therapy twice a week and will soon start counseling to deal with the emotional trauma the accident has caused.
“He wants more than anything to be ‘normal’,” Kim said. “We`ve come a long way, but we have a long way to go."
He now does motivational speeches at churches across the area.
“One thing I love telling people is Jesus Christ is real,” Christian said.
An arraignment date for Angela Gray, Joey Gray and Brannon is set for July 21. Their jury trial date has not yet been set. If any of the defendants are convicted on the conspiracy charges they could face several years in prison.
If you’re interested in Christian speaking at your church, you’re asked to send them a message on the Pray for Mayberry Facebook page.
Since the ATV wreck, Christian’s father John Mayberry has suffered three heart attacks and three strokes and is now in a nursing home. The family is asking for prayers for him as well.