CPD officer’s attorney fights to get involuntary manslaughter case dismissed

The Columbia police officer facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of a child was in court Thursday.

The attorney for Andria Heese asked the judge to dismiss the case, saying that Heese did not act recklessly. Heese was in her police cruiser at Battle High School in January 2019 when she drove over 4-year old Gabriella Curry on the sidewalk, killing Curry.

A second probable cause statement filed Thursday says Heese’s car was going 14 miles an hour when it struck Curry.

The city settled with Curry’s family for more than $3 million.