During the trial for the manslaughter of NYPD officer Anastasios Tsakos, a video was presented to jurors that revealed the Long Island woman accused of the crime had taken 19 swigs of alcohol and smoked marijuana mere hours before the fatal hit-and-run incident. The accused woman was visibly emotional during the trial.
According to prosecutors, Jessica Beauvais, who is 32 years old, consumed several hits from a pipe, as well as shots or sips of a cocktail, while recording her live podcast for 90 minutes. Shockingly, she then allegedly got into her car and hit a veteran cop on the Long Island Expressway in April 2021, resulting in his death. The incident has sparked outrage and disbelief among the public.
In a seven-minute clip presented to the Queens Supreme Court jury, Beauvais confidently admitted to still indulging in the activity. “I still do that s–t! I smoked it every day of my life,” she stated without hesitation.
“It’s no secret that I smoke weed. It’s just a part of who I am. In fact, if you’re not aware of my affinity for it, then you probably shouldn’t be around me.”
In the time-stamped footage, Beauvais can be seen doing a shot or taking a sip from what prosecutors have referred to as a potent mixed drink on multiple occasions.
In the early hours of the following day, Officer Tsakos was carrying out his duty of directing traffic at the site of a previous accident on the expressway. Unfortunately, while performing his duty, he was hit by a 2013 Volkswagen driven by Beauvais, who fled the scene after the accident. As reported by the New York Post, Tsakos lost his life in the incident, leaving behind his family and loved ones to mourn his untimely death.
During the trial, NYPD Sgt. Robert Denig testified that Beauvais’ vehicle had been recorded traveling at a speed exceeding 81 mph on both the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the LIE. However, as she approached the site where officers were investigating the previous accident on the road, she reduced her speed to approximately 56 mph.
According to the police, Beauvais was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .15, which is almost twice the legal limit, at the time of her arrest.
Last week, Irene Tsakos, the widow of the NYPD officer, was overwhelmed with emotion during the court proceedings. Witnesses recounted the gruesome injuries suffered by her late husband, making her break down in tears. The sight of the graphic photos of the scene of his death on April 27, 2021, was too much for her to bear, forcing her to leave the courtroom.
As the prosecutors played Beauvais’ podcast from 2021 on Wednesday, she appeared to display minimal emotions.
According to officials, the perpetrator who committed the murder also expressed his anti-police sentiments during the podcast. However, the jury did not have access to that particular segment of the recording.
The video was first uploaded on Facebook, however, it has now been taken down.
Beauvais faces several charges, including vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated, and reckless endangerment.
If proven guilty, she could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
As she was taken into custody, Beauvais was visibly emotional and expressed remorse for her actions. In a tearful apology, she conveyed her regret for the tragic outcome of her reckless behavior. The incident has left a devastating impact on the community, and Beauvais’ heartfelt apology is just the beginning of the healing process.
In the beginning of the trial, Jorge Santos, Tsakos’ lawyer, argued that at the time of the accident, Tsakos was not wearing a reflective safety vest and was distracted by a text message on his phone, causing him to look down.
Santos addressed the jury with a gentle reminder, “You did promise to grant Ms. Beauvais a fair trial. So, I urge you to keep an open mind throughout the proceedings.”
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