Collegiate Times

Yesterday morning, Aaron Pierce, the Virginia Tech student charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of freshman Tech student Brian McCloskey, stated in Montgomery County Circuit Court that he would plead guilty under the "North Carolina vs. Alford plea."

Under a "North Carolina vs. Alford plea," the defendant states that he is not guilty, but that there is enough evidence to convict him.

"I want to put a resolution to the matter and have both of our families move on," Pierce, former junior chemistry major, said.

Pierce told the judge that he understood his charges and that he had voluntarily taken this plea.

In April 2006, Pierce was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the late 2005 death of McCloskey. McCloskey's body had been found on a jogging path outside of the Pheasant Run Crossing Townhomes, where he had been at a party earlier. McCloskey had been intoxicated that night and, having left the party from the front door, had passed out on this path.

Pierce, who had been at a party close to the one McCloskey was at, had been transporting people from party to party, and had left his party three times.

According to Brad Finch, the commonwealth attorney for Montgomery County, Pierce had crossed the jogging path the second time he had left as a short cut. He also stated that Pierce had hit a rock while doing so.

The jogging path that Pierce crossed had been a frequent crossing area for cars prior to McCloskey's death.

That night, Pierce had been driving a Ford Excursion that he had borrowed from his roommate. Finch said there was a 15-minute interval between the time McCloskey had left the party and when Pierce had allegedly run over him.

McCloskey had suffered injuries to his face and tire tracks had been found near his body. At first, he had been thought to have been physically beaten and killed, but after a medical examination and autopsy, McCloskey was found to be have been run over by a vehicle.

The tire tracks from the scene were closely examined as well to figure out the type of car. Because of a specific bolt pattern found only in Ford Excursions, the police were able to figure out which type of car had run over McCloskey.

In addition, the bolt pattern matched the abrasions on McCloskey's face. Following this discovery, all other vehicles were excluded from the investigation.

Pierce testified that he was not currently on probation or any drugs at this time, and was told that he could present any additional evidence if he felt it necessary.

No plea agreement was set up in this hearing and Pierce's attorney, Tony Anderson, requested the completion of a pre-sentence report. Pierce will return to the courtroom on June 25 to receive his sentence. If he is convicted, he could receive up to 10 years in prison.