A Mays Landing man accused of killing his friend in a drunken-driving crash was expected to be out of jail soon after his bail was significantly reduced Friday.
Michael McMunn Jr., 20, flipped his Jeep while driving on Leipzig Avenue near the Atlantic City Race Course about 3:25 a.m. July 2, according to the charges against him. His passenger, Richard Kisby Jr., 21, of Estell Manor, was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
McMunn was arrested in August and charged with vehicular homicide and other offenses. He has been jailed since on $250,000 bail, allowing for 10 percent. That is far above the bail guidelines, which allow for a maximum of $150,000, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton told the judge. She said the state recommended $100,000.
McMunn’s attorney, Michael Grasso, asked for $50,000, saying his client has strong ties to the community and is not a flight risk.
Superior Court Judge Kyran Connor said he would split the difference and imposed a bail of $75,000.
The courtroom was filled with family and friends supporting McMunn. When Grasso asked for them to stand to show the judge who was there for the defendants, every single person filling the six rows stood.
Outside the courtroom, Grasso said McMunn’s family was in the process of bailing him out.
“Today’s motion was successful in that my client will be able to return to his home,” Grasso said.
At the scene of the crash, McMunn admitted he had four to five peppermint schnapps at a party and two or three Miller Lights, Ruberton told the judge. An open bottle of schnapps was found in the Jeep.
McMunn, who is under age, was also seen playing beer pong at the party, she said. His blood-alcohol content was .183, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
The day after the crash, McMunn told The Press of Atlantic City that he drank too much and Kisby was driving his car. McMunn said he was asleep at the time of the accident and didn’t know what happened.
McMunn said at the time he may have given police the wrong information because he felt woozy from the accident and the alcohol.
Outside the courtroom, Grasso said he could not comment on that information.
He pointed out that it’s still early in the case and that he is awaiting the state’s evidence.
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