Following a five-hour preliminary hearing today, the attorney for Anthony Torsell, a Penn State student accused of hitting two men while driving under the influence, said the evidence against his client is overwhelming.

Torsell entered the courthouse in Bellefonte with more than 15 people who sat together. Twelve people took the stand, including eyewitnesses and police, to testify about the night of Oct. 28. That night, Torsell allegedly hit and killed Richard Smith, 21, and critically injured student Aaron Stidd, 20, as they crossed Atherton Street in the crosswalk.

One woman could barely contain her emotions as witnesses recounted watching Smith fly over the car.

District Judge Allen Sinclair bound Torsell over for trial on all charges. Torsell is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and driving under the influence.

Torsell's attorney, Joseph Amendola, said he will ask to have a private expert conduct another accident reconstruction to contend the results of the police's report.

State College police officer David Scicchitano, who reconstructed the accident, testified that the main causes for the accident were Torsell's high rate of speed as well as his impaired judgement due to alcohol. Torsell's blood alcohol content was .242, according to police.

Scicchitano estimated Torsell was traveling at least 52 mph. The speed limit is 35 mph on Atherton Street.

He said the accident is the first one he has seen where the victims were knocked out of their socks as well as their shoes.

Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said he intended to present overwhelming evidence to push Torsell to step up, take responsibility for his actions and save the victims' families any additional pain.

He said he is not interested in offering Torsell a plea bargain and sees no weakness in the case's evidence.

Check tomorrow's Daily Collegian for the full story.