Manslaughter Case In Byron Teen’s Death Dismissed
The manslaughter case against a Kasson man who was facing prosecution in connection with the death of a Byron teenager has been dismissed. A 2nd degree manslaughter charge was filed against 20 year old Darrian Rice last August, five months after the body of 15 year old Noah Graddy was found near railroad tracks between Byron and Kasson. Graddy was last seen alive January 22nd at Rice’s home in Kasson, where he had gone with friends to do drugs.
Rice was accused of later ordering Graddy to leave. He eventually did leave on foot, apparently headed for home while temperatures were in the single digits and while under the heavy influence of multiple drugs.
In ordering a dismissal of the manslaughter case, Dodge County Judge Jodi Williamson noted witnesses told investigators that Graddy had told them he had been up for 5 straight days and had used several drugs, including LSD, synthetic marijuana, methamphetamine and over the counter cold medicine. In her ruling, Williamson wrote Graddy was “ beyond intoxication “ when he arrived at Rice’s home and continued to take drugs. His cause of death was listed as hypothermia and acute intoxication from the combined effects of drugs, including methamphetamine.
Williamson says there was no proof Rice had given drugs to Graddy and that he had no way of knowing that the teen would try to walk home in the cold weather. Graddy had left Rice’s home while the others were in another room. Some later tried to find Graddy without success but did not take his disappearance seriously. His body was found less than a mile from Rice’s home.
Williamson - who wrote it was “ a very sad case with tragic consequences - ruled there is no evidence indicating Rice’s actions were the cause or contributing cause of Graddy’s death.
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