The 20/20 special episode “The Deadly Ride” examines the tragic day in Kalamazoo, Michigan when Uber driver Jason Dalton killed six people and injured two others in a shooting spree on February 20, 2016. Surviving victims, relatives of victims, and others are interviewed. In January 2019, right before the prosecutor and defense attorney were to start voir dire, the process of questioning 112 potential jurors for the case, Dalton pleaded guilty to all counts against him. In court, defense attorney Eusebio Solis told the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Alexander C. Lipsey that his client pleaded guilty “against my advice.” Solis said Dalton did not want to put his family or the victims’ families through a trial. “It’s his decision; against my advice,” said Solis.
Solis said pleading guilty at this stage was unusual. “I’ve been practicing law for 30 years and have never pleaded to life in prison without parole.” Prior to the trial, when interviewed by detectives, Dalton said the Uber app “took over my mind and body.” Solis initially filed a motion to pursue an insanity defense but an independent forensic examination concluded that Dalton did not meet the legal requirements for insanity. 20/20 airs Fridays at 9 pm on ABC.
