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Amy Senser: The case, the trial, the verdict

Amy Senser sentencing

Amy Senser: An apology, forgiveness, 41 months

The judge said he didn't entirely believe Amy Senser's account of the night she killed Anousone Phanthavong, citing "too many family secrets." Updated Jul. 10, 2012

Amy Senser was charged with felony criminal vehicular homicide in the Aug. 23, 2011, death of Anousone Phanthavong, whom she struck and killed as he filled his car with gas on the Interstate 94 ramp at Riverside Avenue just east of downtown Minneapolis.

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Amy Senser

Give Senser the max, prosecutor asks
Article By: ABBY SIMONS ,Star Tribune Publish July 6, 2012 2:00 AM / Update July 5, 2012 11:13 PM
Request for a 57-month sentence cites "hollow excuses" for fatal crash.

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Senser trial recap: Stepdaughter encouraged Senser to step forward

Amy Senser

Attorney seeks probation, not prison time, for Amy Senser
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish July 4, 2012 2:00 AM / Update July 3, 2012 11:36 PM
Her attorney cites deep remorse in seeking probation in fatal hit-and-run case.

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Amy Senser and attorney Eric Nelson

Jurors' note to judge: We believed Senser didn't know she hit a person
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish May 11, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 11, 2012 7:55 AM
In a new case twist, they accepted her assertion she didn't think she hit a person.

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Jay Larson, a juror on the Amy Senser jury, spoke about the case at a...

Juror: Senser's story didn't add up
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish May 5, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 5, 2012 5:15 AM
Inconsistencies, along with phone records and SUV damage, led to conviction, juror said.

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The parents of Anousone Phanthavong, including his father Phoxay, left...

Phanthavong family settles suit against Sensers
Article By: LARRY OAKES , Star Tribune Publish May 5, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 4, 2012 11:05 PM
Their attorney said they settled before Amy Senser's criminal trial but didn't announce it because they didn't want to influence the trial's jury.

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Amy Senser and her family entered the Hennepin County Government Cente...

Amy Senser knew she hit someone, jury finds
Article By: ABBY SIMONS and LARRY OAKES , Star Tribune Publish May 4, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 4, 2012 11:18 AM
Jurors convicted Amy Senser of criminal vehicular homicide in the death of Anousone Phanthavong. She was convicted of failing to immediately call for help and leaving the scene.

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Jurors in the Amy Senser case walked away from the Hennepin County c...

Some legal experts expected outcome; others surprised
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish May 4, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 3, 2012 11:35 PM
"There's some closure for everybody, a little bit," one legal observer said. Some said they were surprised by the verdict.

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Amy Senser, center, and her husband Joe Senser and their attorneys lef...

Senser trial: Scrutiny felt in jury rooms
Article By: LARRY OAKES and ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune staff writers Publish May 3, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 3, 2012 3:36 PM
The Senser jury deliberated for 13 hours and reconvenes Thursday. Some experts say the notoriety of a case can draw it out.

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Amy Senser arrived with her husband Joe Senser and their attorneys at...

Senser jury has no quick verdict
Article By: ABBY SIMONS and LARRY OAKES , Star Tribune staff writers Publish May 2, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 2, 2012 8:46 AM

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Amy Senser left the Hennepin County Government center during the lunch...

Amy Senser recounts night of fatal I-94 crash, through tears
Article By: ABBY SIMONS and LARRY OAKES , Star Tribune staff writers Publish May 1, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 1, 2012 12:37 PM
Amy Senser testified that she was sure she had hit a barrel or a pothole when she exited I-94.

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Amy Senser

For Amy Senser, a chance to tell her side
Article By: MATT MCKINNEY , Star Tribune Publish April 29, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 30, 2012 5:48 AM
Experts say her testimony Monday will likely be the trial's defining moment.

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Amy Senser walked with her attorney Eric Nelson in the Hennepin County Government Center on Friday afternoon.

State expert: Victim hit hood, near fender
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 28, 2012 2:00 AM / Update May 1, 2012 4:20 PM
Wrapping up its case, the prosecution attacks defense claim that Amy Senser was unaware she hit anyone.

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Amy Senser stood in a security line back to back with Anna Prasomphol...

Joe Senser: No-show wife on night of crash was not a surprise
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 27, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 26, 2012 11:15 PM
Used to life in "Amyworld," he didn't question her night of crash.

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Family members of Anousone Phanthavong arrived at Hennepin County Gove...

Joe Senser asked about fatal crash; Amy said no way
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 26, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 25, 2012 10:08 PM
Ex-Viking testifies wife "was adamant" she wasn't in fatal crash.

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Brittani Senser boarded an elevator after testifying Tuesday at her stepmother Amy’s felony criminal vehicular homicide trial.

Brittani Senser tells of being 'furious' after fatal I-94 crash
Article By: ABBY SIMONS and MATT MCKINNEY , Star Tribune staff writers Publish April 25, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 24, 2012 11:37 PM
On the first full day of testimony, Brittani Senser talked about what led Amy Senser to come forward.

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Amy Senser made her final court appearance before trial at Hennepin C...

Senser jury must sift her intent out of facts
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 22, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 24, 2012 8:48 AM
As the trial begins, a key issue is whether the wife of former Viking Joe Senser left the hit-and-run in panic or ignorance.

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Amy Senser

Judge: Senser's silence can be used against her
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 19, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 18, 2012 9:45 PM
Judge Daniel Mabley also limited questions at Amy Senser's trial about her history of alcohol use.

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Amy Senser

State: Senser said she drank
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 17, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 17, 2012 11:14 AM
Prosecutors say that she admitted to a daughter that she had alcohol the night of the accident that killed a man on an exit ramp.

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Amy Senser, followed by her husband Joe Senser, made her way into the Hennepin Government Center for a court appearance, Thursday, January 12, 2012.

New charge says Senser was on cellphone at time of accident
Article By: DAVID CHANEN , Star Tribune Publish April 14, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 13, 2012 10:46 PM
Prosecutors say that Amy Senser was on her cellphone when she struck and killed a man. The charge could delay her trial.

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Amy Senser and her husband Joe Senser

Senser's lawyer tries to head off questions on alcohol
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish April 13, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 12, 2012 10:53 PM
That was among a flurry of motions made ahead of April 23 trial.

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Amy Senser and husband Joe Senser.

Amy Senser trial won't be moved
Article By: MATT MCKINNEY , Star Tribune Publish March 22, 2012 2:00 AM / Update March 22, 2012 5:30 AM
A judge denied a request by the lawyer for Amy Senser to send the case out of Hennepin County because of the pretrial publicity.

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Mike Freeman

Prosecution presses to keep Senser trial in Hennepin County
Article By: MATT MCKINNEY , Star Tribune Publish March 21, 2012 2:00 AM / Update March 20, 2012 11:44 PM
Her attorney has claimed news coverage and online comments make a fair trial here impossible. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman and his office say that isn't so.

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Amy Senser

Citing online 'mob mentality,' Senser's attorney asks to move trial
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish March 10, 2012 2:00 AM / Update March 10, 2012 12:56 AM
As Amy Sense pleads not guilty, her lawyer says she can't get a fair trial here.

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Amy Senser, followed by her husband Joe Senser, in January.

Lawyer: No dependency treatment for Amy Senser
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish February 25, 2012 2:00 AM / Update February 25, 2012 7:50 AM
Amy Senser's attorney filed documents in her hit-and-run case showing she did not receive chemical dependency treatment at a Florida facility.

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Amy Senser and husband Joe Senser.

Amy Senser's medical files sought to check for treatment
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish February 18, 2012 2:00 AM / Update February 18, 2012 12:20 AM
Prosecutors want a judge to review her medical records from the past three years, including any from a Florida detox center.

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Amy Senser

Affidavit: Driver of Senser SUV had light hair
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish February 8, 2012 2:00 AM / Update February 8, 2012 11:58 AM
Description of driver seen later near scene more closely resembles daughter.

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Amy Senser and her husband Joe Senser

Amy Senser's lawyer claims hit-and-run victim was on drugs
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish February 4, 2012 2:00 AM / Update February 4, 2012 7:21 AM
In seeking a dismissal, the attorney also said evidence shows Amy Senser didn't know she'd struck someone.

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Amy Senser and husband, Joe Senser

Driving details unfold in Amy Senser case
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish January 24, 2012 2:00 AM / Update January 24, 2012 6:31 AM
Prosecutors build a circumstantial case against Amy Senser in fatal hit-and-run.

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Amy and Joe Senser

Attorney: Amy Senser will be cleared
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish January 13, 2012 2:00 AM / Update January 13, 2012 6:57 AM
The attorney for the wife of ex-Viking Joe Senser cited new evidence in a fatal hit-and-run. The claim came as she went to court and faced a new charge.

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Amy Senser court date postponed again
Publish December 7, 2011 2:00 AM / Update December 7, 2011 7:36 AM
Investigators are still sorting out the accident, her attorney said. She is expected to plead not guilty in January.

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Amy Senser court date postponed again
Publish December 7, 2011 2:00 AM / Update December 7, 2011 7:36 AM
Investigators are still sorting out the accident, her attorney said. She is expected to plead not guilty in January.

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Amy Senser

Senser civil case put on hold until criminal investigation ends
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish October 17, 2011 2:00 AM / Update October 17, 2011 6:20 AM
A Hennepin County district judge ordered a halt to the proceedings until the criminal investigation ends.

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Vilayphone Phanthacong, center, sister of Anousone "Ped" Phanthavong a...

Amy Senser's defense pinned on 2010 ruling
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish September 17, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 17, 2011 12:57 AM
The Minnesota Supreme Court overturned an identical charge.

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Amy Senser, with her husband, Joe, at her side, left the Hennepin County jail in Minneapolis on Thursday.

Amy Senser charged with felony in hit-and-run
Article By: ABBY SIMONS and PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune Publish September 16, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 16, 2011 8:38 AM
Authorities still are not sure what happened the night a man was killed on an Interstate 94 ramp in Minneapolis.

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Hit-and-run death involving Senser ruled accidental
Article By: DAVID CHANEN , Star Tribune Publish September 15, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 15, 2011 11:10 AM
That ruling by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office means little to the investigation of Amy Senser, the State Patrol says.

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Vilayphone and Kono Phanthavong

Lawyers get hit-and-runs off fast track
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish September 11, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 14, 2011 7:48 AM
Amy Senser case's pace is in line with others with attorneys involved early.

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Vilayphone and Kono Phanthavong

In suing Sensers, family of the victim asks, 'Why?'
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish September 7, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 7, 2011 10:10 AM
The lawsuit alleges that Amy Senser "demonstrated a deliberate disregard" for the safety of others.

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Amy Senser

Senser's wife was driver in deadly hit-and-run accident
Article By: DAVID CHANEN , Star Tribune Publish September 3, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 3, 2011 1:09 AM
Amy Senser was identified as the driver of the car, but other aspects of the Aug. 23 accident remained unclear. The victim's family is expected to file a wrongful-death suit next week.

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Joe Senser

SUV at center of fatal hit-run off I-94 belongs to Joe Senser
Article By: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune Publish September 2, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 2, 2011 10:55 AM
Ex-Viking's attorney won't say who was driving when man died.

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Vehicle involved in fatal hit-run on I-94 ramp found
Publish August 26, 2011 2:00 AM / Update August 25, 2011 9:01 PM

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Anousone Phanthavong

Driver sought in hit-and-run death off I-94
Article By: PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune Publish August 25, 2011 2:00 AM / Update August 24, 2011 11:41 PM
Chef at True Thai Restaurant had stopped to fuel his car .

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