CA - 4 Pepperdine students killed in crash, Malibu, Oct 2023 *arrest*

[waldojabba]

I don't believe that AJ is going for a plea deal.

AJ was very clear when telling Billy Bush that FB did nothing that was criminal which is quite different from wanting the 4 murder charges downgraded, a motion that most defense attorneys automatically file for whatever the charge.
imo

I listened to it when I posted it but if I remember correctly

- AJ is adamant that the charges by the former DA were politically motivated and the 22 yr old was overcharged
- He indicates he’s going to chat with the new DA/ their people and get the charges reduced
- AJ is nothing if not strategic - He throws out how in the 1970’s ish the pres of Pepperdine killed 2 people in car accident also on this road - but the pres was drunk driving unlike FB who was sober - The pres got involuntary manslaughter and a 4 year suspended sentence
- AJ does say that his client did nothing criminal - strategic or real?
- His clients actions and poor judgement killed 4 people and injured 1 - kind of irrefutable ? Hard to call it a misdemeanor or whatever charge that is not a criminal charge

My thought is that even with charges reduced to the lowest for killing 4 people in an accident where you are at fault - which I think is vehicular manslaughter - ?- that’s still criminal right? And I don’t see any way a jury doesn’t convict him from where I sit now. The kid is not a sympathetic defendant.

So if Alan can get the new DA to go with that lesser charge, along the same lines as the Pres of Pepperdine - with a suspended sentence. Perhaps with an added caveat that after x amount of time the felony goes off his record if that’s possible. Backroom deal done.
AJ seems to know this DA or his people. That’s what really pushes me to a negotiated plea. I don’t think the press or jury will be kind to this kid.

I am prob all wet but that’s my thought process at this point

JMO

 

[mickey2942]

I listened to it when I posted it but if I remember correctly

- AJ is adamant that the charges by the former DA were politically motivated and the 22 yr old was overcharged
- He indicates he’s going to chat with the new DA/ their people and get the charges reduced
- AJ is nothing if not strategic - He throws out how in the 1970’s ish the pres of Pepperdine killed 2 people in car accident also on this road - but the pres was drunk driving unlike FB who was sober - The pres got involuntary manslaughter and a 4 year suspended sentence
- AJ does say that his client did nothing criminal - strategic or real?
- His clients actions and poor judgement killed 4 people and injured 1 - kind of irrefutable ? Hard to call it a misdemeanor or whatever charge that is not a criminal charge

My thought is that even with charges reduced to the lowest for killing 4 people in an accident where you are at fault - which I think is vehicular manslaughter - ?- that’s still criminal right? And I don’t see any way a jury doesn’t convict him from where I sit now. The kid is not a sympathetic defendant.

So if Alan can get the new DA to go with that lesser charge, along the same lines as the Pres of Pepperdine - with a suspended sentence. Perhaps with an added caveat that after x amount of time the felony goes off his record if that’s possible. Backroom deal done.
AJ seems to know this DA or his people. That’s what really pushes me to a negotiated plea. I don’t think the press or jury will be kind to this kid.

I am prob all wet but that’s my thought process at this point

JMO

Exactly. Just up the road, Rebecca Grossman killed two children, Jacob and Mark Iskander. Rebecca Grossman is now convicted, 15 years to life. She filed appeals to get the case thrown out before trial, and now, still filing an appeal from prison. Chowchilla, California is such a godforsaken place.

I don't see a plea deal less than this. And that would be a gift.

 

[waldojabba]

Exactly. Just up the road, Rebecca Grossman killed two children, Jacob and Mark Iskander. Rebecca Grossman is now convicted, 15 years to life. She filed appeals to get the case thrown out before trial, and now, still filing an appeal from prison. Chowchilla, California is such a godforsaken place.

I don't see a plea deal less than this. And that would be a gift.

A little blurb on Rebecca - evidently she was drinking /speeding and then hit and run /killing two young boys. A "socialite' with seemingly plenty of cash to get a good defense

Rebecca Grossman: Socialite jailed for hit-and-run deaths

Rebecca Grossman is given a jail sentence of 15 years to life over a crash that killed two boys.

www.bbc.com

It will be intersting to see a list of all similar accidents and charges in the area over the past 10 -20 years. AJ reachiing into the 1970's for his example was prob the most favorable outcome for a similar case he could find. AJ strategically setting expectaions .Things were very different in that time period re drunk driving and speeding - far more lenient IMO.There is only so much anyone can do here for the defendant and I agree with Mickey a jury is going to give a stiff sentence.

With the civil suit out there - which I think the plantiffs will win - and get a big payout - I think a negotiated plea deal here serves everyone.
If the kid gets jail time- maybe he can pick his jail maybe finish college whie inside etc.

Wondering if since he's at fault - in any civill cade filed against him will his/his parents insurance still cover him ?

We will have to see how it all plays out - I am not sure anything happens quickly.

In the meantime the authorites need to straighten out this road and install safety features - set up sobriety and speed traps. They still have 28 million that was for improvements from eight years ago that was never spent per the link I posted above on this same page of the thread.

JMO

 

[Izzylizzy]

I listened to it when I posted it but if I remember correctly

- AJ is adamant that the charges by the former DA were politically motivated and the 22 yr old was overcharged
- He indicates he’s going to chat with the new DA/ their people and get the charges reduced
- AJ is nothing if not strategic - He throws out how in the 1970’s ish the pres of Pepperdine killed 2 people in car accident also on this road - but the pres was drunk driving unlike FB who was sober - The pres got involuntary manslaughter and a 4 year suspended sentence
- AJ does say that his client did nothing criminal - strategic or real?
- His clients actions and poor judgement killed 4 people and injured 1 - kind of irrefutable ? Hard to call it a misdemeanor or whatever charge that is not a criminal charge

My thought is that even with charges reduced to the lowest for killing 4 people in an accident where you are at fault - which I think is vehicular manslaughter - ?- that’s still criminal right? And I don’t see any way a jury doesn’t convict him from where I sit now. The kid is not a sympathetic defendant.

So if Alan can get the new DA to go with that lesser charge, along the same lines as the Pres of Pepperdine - with a suspended sentence. Perhaps with an added caveat that after x amount of time the felony goes off his record if that’s possible. Backroom deal done.
AJ seems to know this DA or his people. That’s what really pushes me to a negotiated plea. I don’t think the press or jury will be kind to this kid.

I am prob all wet but that’s my thought process at this point

JMO

You did real good.
My take is that AJ said 2 things that when combined I believe could be his defense.
Him saying that TB did nothing criminal and was trying to get away from a "road rage" (guy in the truck next to him at the light)
So FB was fleeing for his life and accelerated to 70 mph and the accident was not his fault?
IMO

 

[mickey2942]

You did real good.
My take is that AJ said 2 things that when combined I believe could be his defense.
Him saying that TB did nothing criminal and was trying to get away from a "road rage" (guy in the truck next to him at the light)
So FB was fleeing for his life and accelerated to 70 mph and the accident was not his fault?
IMO

Which begs the question, why he did not stop, pull over and call 911 like a normal person would do...

 

[windrower]

And why accelerate if you can’t control your vehicle?

I don’t care what was happening with him, he made choices that proved fatal and life-changing for others.

Calling it “nothing criminal” is pretty disgusting.

 

[mickey2942]

What is eerie to me, is that I have walked in that crosswalk.

Let's admit that Malibu Canyon is a dream road in a fast car, quick turns, open stretches. I have no doubt that the perpetrator was going over 100 mph. And in his car, he was "king", living his best dream life. Who cares about pedestrians, or anyone else, when he can show off how cool he is in his new BMW, and race anyone off the road.

He was probably the one dusting someone else. And lost control of his car on that turn.

 

[mickey2942]

Parents of 4 Pepperdine students struck and killed on PCH sue state and local agencies

Malibu and Caltrans and other agencies are being sued by the families of four Pepperdine students killed by a speeding driver as well as an injured fifth student.

www.latimes.com

Separate issue, the parents of the victims are pursuing a civil lawsuit against the State of California, Coltrane, City of Malibu. Those are the deepest pockets by far.

And it isn't rocket science to anyone from the area how dangerous that stretch of road on the Pacific Coast Highway.

 

[waldojabba]

Parents of 4 Pepperdine students struck and killed on PCH sue state and local agencies

Malibu and Caltrans and other agencies are being sued by the families of four Pepperdine students killed by a speeding driver as well as an injured fifth student.

www.latimes.com

Separate issue, the parents of the victims are pursuing a civil lawsuit against the State of California, Coltrane, City of Malibu. Those are the deepest pockets by far.

And it isn't rocket science to anyone from the area how dangerous that stretch of road on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Yes upthread I posted a breakdown of that civil suit but I am attaching it again -

It really filled in a lot of the blanks about that area and where the money will be coming from to pay the families. Because that is an easily winnable case for them imo.

Aside from FB's poor decision making skills - that road/that dead mans curve in particular, is a total black eye and embarrassment to the city. They had studies/they had the ecoconimic means to mitigate some of the safety issues and they basically did NOTHING for years. Guilty guilty guilty.

And they scream that they are guilty them selves because now they are implementing measures approved years ago.

In my eyes they are culpable right along with Fraser. Its not like this is the first time an accident has occurred.

JMO

Lawsuit Filed Over Deadly PCH Crash at Malibu's "Dead Man's Curve"

Four Pepperdine students killed, one injured in tragic accident. Families seek justice and improved road safety measures.

www.lawinc.com

 

[waldojabba]

What is eerie to me, is that I have walked in that crosswalk.

Let's admit that Malibu Canyon is a dream road in a fast car, quick turns, open stretches. I have no doubt that the perpetrator was going over 100 mph. And in his car, he was "king", living his best dream life. Who cares about pedestrians, or anyone else, when he can show off how cool he is in his new BMW, and race anyone off the road.

He was probably the one dusting someone else. And lost control of his car on that turn.

Your thoughts and judgements about the defendant are exactly why I think AJ does not want to take this to a trial with a jury. Many people will think like you do.
JMO

 

[waldojabba]

You did real good.
My take is that AJ said 2 things that when combined I believe could be his defense.
Him saying that TB did nothing criminal and was trying to get away from a "road rage" (guy in the truck next to him at the light)
So FB was fleeing for his life and accelerated to 70 mph and the accident was not his fault?
IMO

I understand why you think that. I picked that up too but imo it wont fly

The kid is responsible for his decisions while driving. He made a poor decision, if true, to speed up.

Now if he had been shot at by the guy/gal road rager (do we have proof there was even a road rage thing happening?)and he lost control of the car when that occurred - I could maybe buy that.
Or if he had a medical event.

In this case I see the kid as 100% accountable for whatever speed he was going. Just a poor choice. Probably had done it many times before. He lives just up the street.

JMO

 

[mickey2942]

This is why new and young drivers should have a used Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, it gets them places, but not into too much trouble.