PRESTON, Minn. – The second Spring Valley twin charged in the traffic deaths of two Amish children was advised of the specific charges against her at an arraignment hearing. Judge Jeremy Clinefelter listed 16 charges:
> Four counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
> Eight counts of aiding an offender.
> Four counts of criminal vehicular operation.
Sarah Beth Petersen, 30, who now lives in Kellogg, responded that she understood the charges. Judge Clinefelter set bail at $10,000. Prosecutors had sought for a $50,000. Both Sarah Beth and her twin sister Samantha Jo both were involved in the wreck, but Judge Clinefelter had set bail for Samantha Jo at $50,000 four days earlier, He explained he set Sarah Beth’s bail lower because her sister was accused of being high on drugs but Sarah Beth wasn’t. Although Sara Beth was allowed to leave the Fillmore County Courthiuse on her own recognizance pending further proceedings, the judge noted that she will continue to be supervised by a probation officer because of previous federal drug conviction. Also: The judge noted too that she will be subjected to random drug testing.
Hearing details
Sarah Beth walked into the courthouse showing little emotion. With her was criminal defense attorney Thomas Braun of Rochester. Sarah Beth sat calmly in front of the judge for the 15-minute hearing. Samantha Jo, who lives with Sarah Beth, was not in attendance. Both sisters each are scheduled for further hearings on the same day in June. Pleas are expected then.
Parallel charges
Sarah Beth Petersen was not accused of driving he death vehicle but of conspiring with her twin sister Samantha Jo Petersen to take the fall for the wreck. Samantha Jo was high on meth at the time. Samantha Jo called Sarah Beth to leave work, come to the scene, and take the blame, rather facing stiffer charges herself for driving high. This all according to investigators. Neither sister has yet entered a plea.
Sarah Beth. Sisters are identical twins. Confusing people by swapping places has been a game since childhood.,