Delay in Nestande hit-and-run case

AUSTIN (KXAN) - More than a year after a deadly collision, there is another delay in the case of Gabrielle Nestande -- accused of a hit-and-run.

Nestande was scheduled for a pretrial hearing Monday, but it was postponed.

The former legislative staffer is charged with failure to stop and render aid after allegedly hitting and killing Courtney Griffin, who was jogging at the time.

Griffin's family has called for tougher charges, and a tentative trial date of Aug. 13 has already been set.

"We just want as many charges, the most charges, to be brought against her. And let a jury decide what's right or wrong," said Griffin's father, Bart Griffin.

Nestande worked as an aide to a state representative last year when it happened.

Griffin, who worked as a nanny and volunteered for Austin Pets Alive! , was walking home late at night in the Tarrytown neighborhood when she was killed. Her body was discovered after dawn.

Police linked Nestande to the death when her damaged vehicle was parked nearby, with telltale signs consistent with hitting something.

Nestande was in court March 2 in connection with the May 28 hit-and-run death of Griffin, whose birthday would have been three days prior.

Nestande walked out of the courtroom that day with attorneys, looked down and cried, hand over her brow.

Nestande appeared in court briefly on Jan. 20, during which her attorneys updated the judge on how far they've come in getting ready for trial.

Friends and family of Griffin on that day filled up three rows of seats in the courtroom as well. Nestande was only up at the bench for a couple of minutes.

Prosecutors told the judge they are still trying to track down a witness to talk to, and also Nestande's sister, who goes to college out of state.

Friends and family of Griffin have been showing up for every court setting. On Jan. 20, they gathered around afterwards as the prosecutor explained what happened in the courtroom and what's next.