Juror shares insight from deliberation, verdict and suggested punishment in Daniel Riley’s trial

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - First Alert 4 sat down with one of the jurors who found Daniel Riley guilty of four charges Thursday and recommended he be sentenced for nearly 19 years.

Janae Edmondson was in downtown St. Louis for a volleyball tournament when she was hit by a car that Riley was driving on February 18, 2023. Riley’s car pinned her between his SUV and a parked car.

“While this tragedy has severely impacted my life, I will not let this define who I am or what I bring to this world,” Janae said.

Janae’s injuries were so severe she lost both of her legs.

The teen has already undergone 29 surgeries, with more still to go.

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore is largely where he is today because of this horrible crime.

It was his predecessor, Kim Gardner, whose failures allowed Daniel Riley to be free despite facing other crimes.

“Our conviction of Daniel Riley sends a clear message to the community,” Gore said. “We will prosecute those who choose to engage in reckless driving with no regard with the lives of others to the fullest extent of the law.”

Gore said this case has resonated wide and far in the St. Louis region.

“There are some crimes that resonate deeply with the community, and this is one of them,” Gore said.

After more than three hours of jury deliberation, Riley was convicted on four out of five charges.

Riley was found guilty of second-degree assault, armed criminal action, fourth-degree assault and driving without a valid license.

First Alert 4 sat down with Victoria, one of the jurors.

Despite emotional testimony from Janae and her parents, Victoria said the jury focused on evidence over emotion.

“We had empathy for the family, but at the end of the day, it’s what actions the defendant took that led up to that,” Victoria said.

Despite deliberations taking over three hours, Victoria said the jury was pretty set on the verdict but just wanted to make sure they were thorough.

A key piece in the decision, Victoria said the fact witnesses described Riley as going “full throttle” behind the wheel.

“Essentially black boxes in the two vehicles that record the five seconds previous to the crash and the two expert witnesses that testified for the prosecution really had solid evidence,” Victoria said.

After the verdict, the penalty phase started.

During that penalty phase, Janae’s family gave victim impact statements.

“Whatever the sentence you give him maximum still won’t be enough to me because he will still be able to walk, even after the time you and the court gives him,” James, Janae’s dad, said. “He’ll be able to run. He’ll be able to bend. He’ll be able to do all of those things. My daughter will not.”

“My daughter was hurt so bad that day, but it could have been anyone’s daughter,” Francine, Janae’s mom, said.

“I pray that no family and nobody has to ever endure what me and my family have gone through,” Janae said.

Victoria said the decision for punishment was even harder for them to decide on collectively, as emotion played a bigger role.

“I would say the sentencing portion got heated in the jury room,” Victoria said. “I think it was more difficult than the verdict itself.”

Victoria said some jurors wanted lighter sentences because of Riley’s age, whereas others wanted the maximum because of what happened to Janae.

“Even though putting somebody in prison is some sort of justice, it really isn’t comparable to the consequences of his decision that night,” Victoria said.

Jurors recommended that Riley serve six years and three months for second-degree assault, 11 years and eight months for armed criminal action and 10 months for fourth-degree assault, a total of 18 years and nine months. Riley will serve the 10-month fourth-degree assault charge in the City Justice Center. The rest of his sentence will be served in prison.

The official sentence will come from the judge on April 18.

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