BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Prosecutors say the mom accused of buying a fifth of vodka for her 16 year old son is partly to blame for the deadly crash he caused.
That mom, 43 year old Melissa Grant had her day in court today. She could be facing up to five years in prison.
As Melissa Grant left a Burlington courtroom Tuesday, she said, "I'll give you a full statement and the truth will come out."
She plead not guilty to buying the alcohol that police say was to blame for a deadly crash. Her 16 year old son, James Companion, is accused of drinking the vodka Grant purchased, then driving, crashing, and killing his 25 year old passenger Tasha Maring. Grant says they have it all wrong.
"She's adamant that she is not guilty of this crime and is very eager to get started on her defense," Defense Attorney, Leroy Yoder said.
Grant says she didn't buy the alcohol, Maring did. Witnesses tell a different story. Two women who were also at the party that night told police that they watched Melissa Grant watch her unlicensed teen son get behind the wheel after he'd finished about half a bottle of vodka.
Companion has already been charged with the deadly DUI. He's still in custody but the state asked Tuesday that the two not have any contact.
"I understand that Ms. Grant does not have a record, but this is a felony, she is facing prison incarceration, and her major tie to this state is her son, who's incarcerated on a charge that led to a fatality," Prosecuting Attorney, said.
The defense argued that Grant is not a flight risk and should be able to speak to Companion.
"I think the state is trying to sensationalize this case, this is a 16 year old child who needs his mother," Yoder added.
In the end, the judge granted her permission to speak with her son about non case specific things... When I caught up with Grant outside of the courtroom, I asked her who purchased the alcohol if she didn't, she responded, "You'll find out in the end."
Both Grant and her son, Companion are due back in court next month.
