RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont man accused in a crash that killed a Rutland Police officer wants to be released from jail until his trial. Tate Rheaume, 20, appeared in person Thursday as prosecutors laid out some of the evidence they say justifies an aggravated murder charge that should keep him behind bars.
Rheaume is charged in the death of 19-year-old Rutland City Police Ofc. Jessica Ebbighausen last summer.
Audio was played in court Thursday of an interview with Cpl. Richard Carravaggio, the training officer in the cruiser with Ebbighausen when police say they were hit head-on by Rheaume.
The Carravagio interview is part of the evidence prosecutors say shows the likelihood Rheaume’s guilt is high and why he should remain jailed without bail until his trial.
Through the course of the interview with state police detectives, Carravaggio says his memory of the crash was spotty.
“I remember having the thought in my mind that he’s either going to stop and give up because he’s got no place to go or he’s going to do something incredibly reckless like he did,” Carravaggio said in the recording.
Prosecutors say Rheaume’s action was so reckless it warrants the state’s most serious charge, aggravated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.
Both sides were not able to finish the hearing on Thursday and it will be scheduled for another day. Prosecutors are expected to introduce surveillance video of the crash.
Rheaume will continue to be held without bail.
