Troopers, medical examiner subpoenaed to testify at preliminary hearing in Rocco Joseph hit-and-run case

Two Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and an assistant medical examiner have been subpoenaed to testify at the preliminary hearings for Rocco Joseph, 18, and his father, Joplin dentist John Joseph II, 9 a.m. Monday, January 13, at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Columbus, Kansas.

Both Josephs have been charged with leaving the scene of a fatality accident in connection with the August 19, 2023 crash that killed Gary LaTurner, 60, Galena. The older Joseph is also charged with contributing to a child's misconduct.

Subpoenas for troopers Nicholas Irwin and Nick Reddy and assistant medical examiner Christopher Geffre were issued November 6, according to Cherokee County District Court online records.

The Josephs entered not guilty pleas during their initial appearance October 30. John Joseph attended the hearing in person while Rocco Joseph was permitted to attend via Zoom. The hearing had initially been scheduled for October 7, but was delayed because the younger Joseph, who is a student at a Mississippi college, had mid-terms.

According to the probable cause statement, surveillance video shows Rocco Joseph's vehicle struck LaTurner at 11:23 p.m. August 19, with Joseph not stopping. Shortly afterward, Joseph called his father and later met with him at the Casey's General Store at 2764 W. 32nd Street in Joplin and after a short time they returned to the scene of the accident.

The probable cause statement indicated the Josephs were captured on surveillance video returning to the scene of the accident, surveying the situation, including LaTurner, who was still alive at that point, according to the initial coroner's report, which said LaTurner died more than eight hours later.

The Turner Report: Probable cause: Surveillance video shows Josephs returning to scene of fatal hit-and-run, leaving again