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Rice's parents express disappointment with Corasanti verdict

Chris Caya/WBFO News

Alexandria Rice's father Richard and her mother Tammy Schueler say they are "unhappy, shocked, dissatisfied [and] disappointed" with the verdict against the man who struck and killed their daughter. 

Dr. James Corasanti was acquitted Wednesday of the most serious charges in the hit-and-run death of 18-year old Rice.  The jurors cleared Corasanti on two manslaughter charges as well as tampering with evidence and leavening the scene of an accident without reporting, resulting in death.  Corasanti was only found guilty on a DWI charge.

The Rice family did not speak as planned after appearing to be shocked at Wednesday night's verdict. But today they  met with the media at the law office of Buffalo attorney Terrence Connors, who is representing the family in the civil case against Corasanti. 

Richard Rice said he's not going to judge Dr. James Corasanti, but he says he doesn't know anyone who made as many bad decisions as Corasanti did the night he struck and killed "Alix" as she skateboarded along Heim Road last July. 

"I can't hate him. As far as forgiveness for Ally, forgiving him...nobody's asked me for forgiveness yet. I understand there was a big party at [Corasanti's residence] 41 Mount Holyoke last night," Rice said.

"I don't hate him. That's not going to solve anything," Scheuler said.

Richard Rice says there was no reason for Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita to apologize following the verdict.

"I don't think the DA did anything wrong," Rice said.

"No, not a one of them. I admire, I'm proud that they were the people to represent my daughter. They were awesome," Schueler followed.

"We couldn't have done better for Alix. We couldn't have done better," said Rice.

"It just didn't work out," added Scheuler.

 

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