The woman arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the dragging death of a Colorado Springs tow truck driver was advised of her rights Wednesday.

El Paso County Judge Stephen Sletta also advised Detra Dione Farries of the possible charge and penalties against her.

Farries, 32, remains free on $50,000 bond pending a March 9 hearing when prosecutors will decide what charges if any to file in the Feb. 23 death of Allen Rose, a 35-year-old Iraq War veteran and co-owner of J & J Towing.

Police believe Farries drove off in her GMC sport utility vehicle while Rose was attempting to tow it from an east Colorado Springs apartment complex where it was parked illegally. Rose was chasing after the vehicle when his legs were snagged by a towing cable and was dragged over a mile, police said.

Farries arrived more than 30 minutes early for the hearing and sat in a front row of the courtroom. She listened with three fingers pressed against her right cheek as the judge on videotape explained the advisement process to the defendants in the courtroom.

Sletta then called her case first. When he asked if she understood what he said in the video, she answered yes. When he asked if she had any questions about her rights or the manslaughter charge, she answered no. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison.

A crowd of news photographers clustered in the narrow corridor outside the courtroom as Farries walked out.

Rose’s widow Renee sat on the other side of the courtroom with several relatives and her husband’s co-workers during the brief hearing. She wore a set of dog tags around her neck.

She was accompanied by Colorado Springs lawyer David McDivitt, who said the family had retained his firm both to answer their questions about the criminal court process and to represent them in any civil court action.

After the hearing, McDivitt said the family does not have any statement to make at this time.

“Obviously, they’re asking for time to heal and go through this process,” he said.

For video on this story, visit “The Sidebar” blog at gazettedev.gazette.com

Detra Dione Farries following her advisement hearing Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in El Paso County Court. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

MARK REIS