Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on October 25, 2017, a Bay County jury deliberated only 31 minutes before finding Kenneth Manhard guilty of DUI Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death, and Driving while his License was Suspended. Prosecutor Robert Sombathy, Chief of the Major Crimes Division, presented evidence that Manhard left a night club on Panama City Beach in his car during the early morning hours of April 17th in an intoxicated state and struck Jerry Jones as he was traveling east on a scooter across the Hathaway Bridge. When Manhard arrived at another night club in Panama City, witnesses observed damage to his car and called the police. The investigation conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Panama City Police Department revealed that one or more witnesses observed Manhard in an intoxicated state prior to and immediately after the accident. Judge Michael Overstreet will conduct a sentencing hearing on November 17th .
For additional information contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.