What to Look for in John Goodman DUI Manslaughter Trial | The Daily Pulp | South Florida | Broward Palm Beach New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Broward-Palm Beach, Florida

Broward News

What to Look for in John Goodman DUI Manslaughter Trial

Wellington polo mogul John Goodman goes on trial in a West Palm Beach courtroom tomorrow, charged with driving drunk and causing the car accident that killed 23-year-old Scott Wilson in 2010.

It's been nearly two years since a New Times cover story dug deep into the case, so here's a refresher on some of the juiciest details that may emerge as key issues in the trial:

-- Goodman's alleged penchant for white powder. A bartender at the Players Club told sheriff's investigators there were times she had seen the polo mogul with "powder hanging out of his nose." His ex-wife, Carroll Goodman, accused him in court documents of abusing cocaine. And the night of the crash, another witness, Stacey Shore, said Goodman suggested they go get some cocaine. She refused. He left the bar without her. According to the Palm Beach Post, toxicology tests did not reveal cocaine in Goodman's blood after the crash.

-- The role of rescue workers in the crash. Scott Wilson was not immediately killed

by the impact of the crash. Instead, his Hyundai capsized in a canal. When rescuers arrived, they felt around the driver's side but couldn't find anyone in the dark waters. Only after they called a tow truck to lift the wreck from the murky canal did the rescuers see Wilson's pale face, still strapped in the driver's seat, his lungs filled with silt. Two Palm Beach County fire captains were later disciplined for their handling of the emergency.

-- The barn drink defense. Goodman could try to argue that he got drunk after the crash, rather than before. After blowing through a stop sign and crashing into Wilson's Hyundai, the polo mogul walked to the barn of his employee and polo teammate Kris Kampsen.

The barn has an office, a TV, and a stocked bar. Goodman said he went to the barn searching for Kampsen and a phone. He didn't find either.

However, weeks later, when the friends had dinner, Goodman asked Kampsen if he still had alcohol in the barn. It's possible Goodman was laying the groundwork to argue that he'd swiped a swig of something while he was in the barn. His blood wasn't tested for alcohol until three hours after the accident, when it was found to be 0.177 -- more than twice the legal limit.

KEEP NEW TIMES BROWARD-PALM BEACH FREE... Since we started New Times Broward-Palm Beach, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
Lisa Rab
Contact: Lisa Rab

Latest Stories