Witnesses testify in Bakdash case

Matthew Damman was the passenger in Tim Bakdash's car the night Bakdash drove up onto the sidewalk in Dinkytown and hit three people, killing one said the Star Tribune.

Damman took the stand Monday as one of the witnesses in the first day of Backdash's trial on charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, reported the Pioneer Press.

Damman said Backdash wanted to fight two men who taunted him at The Library Bar in Dinkytown. The two got into Backdash's car to leave and that's when Backdash saw the two men. Backdash drove the car onto the sidewalk directly aimed at the two men. A body hit the windshield of the car, but it wasn't one of the men, it was a women, the Star Tribune said.

Two other college students were hit as well. Benjamin Van Handel died because of the accident, reported the Pioneer Press.

Damman asked why Backdash had done it and he said, "They deserved it," according to Damman.

Damman did not come forward to being involved in the crash until six months later. He said he was scared that he would be charged with assisting in the death of Van Handel, said the Star Tribune.

Several other witnesses took the stand and described what they saw April 15. Testimony is to continue Tuesday, reported the Star Tribune.