ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Circuit Attorney is praising the Tennessee family for testifying in the case against the man who changed a teenager’s life forever.
“There are some crimes that resonate deeply with the community, and this is one of them,” Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said.
Janae Edmonson is suing the City of St. Louis and Daniel Riley, the driver who hit her in February 2023, costing both of her legs. Edmonson was leaving a volleyball tournament with her family when Riley struck her.
The jury found Riley guilty on four of five charges Thursday, including second-degree assault, armed criminal action, operating a vehicle without a valid license, and fourth-degree assault.
Gore praised prosecutors along with Janae and her family.
“Watching Janae testify yesterday, one thing that will resonate always with me is the resilience of Janae and her family and her determination to not be defined by the horrific injuries she suffered as a result of Mr. Riley’s recklessness,” he said. “Our conviction of Daniel Riley sends a clear message to the community: we will prosecute those who choose to engage in reckless driving with no regard for the lives of others to the fullest extent of the law.”
Janae held back tears while testifying about how her life has forever changed.
“I was questioning why this happened to me,” she said. “I am a very active person and so being trapped, or feeling trapped, and not being able to go out or go outside, I just became depressed.”
Jurors recommended that Riley spend nearly 19 years in prison. A sentencing is scheduled for April 18.