Pocono News Section

Mother Speaks Out About Daughter's Death

Mother Speaks Out About Daughter's Death - Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 4:17PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Wednesday, Apr 9, 2008 @04:17pm EST
(WILKES-BARRE, Luzerne County) A local man pleads guilty to a pair of homicide by motor vehicle charges today - and for the first time - the mother of one of those victims is speaking out.

WBRE’s Jill Konopka has the story of the Knorr family who lost their only child. 21-year-old Jonathan Banks of Berwick kept quiet on his way into court.

Reporter Jill Konopka asks,"Mr. Banks is there anything you want to say?”Defense Attorney Mike Pisanchyn stated, “No comments at this point, but thank you."

He (Banks) later admitted his role in a double fatal car crash that killed James Starner of Wapwallopen and his passenger, his girlfriend 20-year-old Rachel Knorr of Hazleton.

Michelle Knorr is Rachel’s Mother, "We miss her more and more everyday. There's no getting around it. I hope nobody else has to go through what we've had to go through." The Knorr family's lives changed forever March 16th 2007.

That's when police say Banks drove recklessly down Route 93 in Sugarloaf Township slamming into James Starner's car.

Knorr added, "I don't want any other family to go through what we've gone through this past year.” Michelle Knorr says she's speaking out about her daughter's death, to prevent others from driving dangerously.

Michelle Knorr responded, "I've had to give up my job, because I can no longer function, couldn't do my job. I'm on anti-depressants indefinitely it’s just been rough." Assistant District Attorney Mike Vough stated,” Depending on his prior record, it could be 6 to 12 months or 12 to 18 months"

Attorney Vough will ask that Banks serve both vehicular homicide sentences back to back. Vough stated, "It’s very difficult to explain to a Mom who lost her daughter, this individual might only spend one year in jail." A Judge will decide, even though a Mother already has.

Michelle Knorr added, "There's nothing he could say or do to make this up to me, never." Knorr also wants Jonathan Banks to lose his license for the rest of his life. Attorneys say his license will be suspended, but that process won't start until he is sentenced June 25th.