Man indicted for first-degree murder in fatal hit-and-run
A Hennepin County grand jury has indicted a Roseville man on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder for a fatal hit and run last month.
According to the criminal complaint, Timothy Bakdash, 29, admitted to driving his car on a Dinkytown sidewalk in order to kill a man he'd been arguing with earlier in the evening. That man, Benjamin Van Handel, died several days later. Two women next to Van Handel were also injured.
Initially, Bakdash was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault. But Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said he would seek the more severe first-degree murder indictment. If convicted, Bakdash faces life in prison without parole.
Bakdash's lawyer didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
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