SAGINAW, MI — “Actions have consequences.” The theme was repeated by attorneys at the outset of the trial of a woman accused of causing the vehicular, line-of-duty death of Michigan State Police Trooper Joel E. Popp.

Where the prosecution and defense attorneys differed, though, was on whose actions directly led to Popp’s death. Is defendant Brooke L. Allen criminally liable for the tragic collision, or did Popp cause his own death when he inadvertently deviated from his training?

Attorneys delivered their opening statements to the 14-person jury the morning of Wednesday, June 4. Allen, 33 of Haslett, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony.

The prosecution’s theory

Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Aaron M. Majorana told jurors th

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