PRESTON, Minn. – One twin sister in a 2023 wreck tyat killed Amish school children pleaded guilty to switching roles with her sister. The plea by Sarah Beth Peterson left things not looking good for her sister Samantha Jo Peterson, whose trial is pending as the driver. Sarah Beth’s ples was Tuesday in a hearing before Fillmore County Judge Jeremy Clinefelter. The judge reminded Sar Beth that changing her plea could mean six months in jail. The plea was to only two criminal counts on condition that other counts be dropped. Judge Clinefelter seemed agreeable to the deal. The judge scheduled sentencing for late March. Meanwhile, her identical twin Samantha Jo Peterson goes on trial in July. At Sarah Beth’s hearning on Tuesday, she admitted that her sister called her to the accident. Sara Beth said she arrived even before police and that Samantha Jo asked her to take her place as the driver. Sara Beh admitted she agreed to take the blame to protect her sister who had been taking meth.
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Daniel McIntosh, defense attorney for Sarah Beth: “Our goal was to have a resolution that Miss Peterson could take responsibility but accurately reflecting her culpability did not harm the children, that she did not hit them with the vehicle. Yes, she made some mistakes out of concern for her sister that she shouldn’t have done. She regrets that.”