The driver involved in a tragic Malibu car crash that resulted in the deaths of four Pepperdine University students is seeking to have his murder charges dismissed, claiming he has been unfairly charged by the legal system.
Fraser Bohm, aged 23, was driving a BMW that collided with parked cars along the Pacific Coast Highway in October 2023. This incident has sparked a significant legal debate regarding whether his actions should be classified as murder or a lesser offense.
The accident tragically took the lives of four senior students from Pepperdine’s Alpha Phi sorority: Niamh Rolston, aged 20, and Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, all aged 21.
The young women were walking when Bohm’s vehicle, allegedly speeding, crashed into three other vehicles, which then struck them.
According to prosecutors, Bohm was driving at approximately 104 mph in a 45-mph zone on a notoriously dangerous section of the Pacific Coast Highway when he lost control of his car.
In addition to the deceased, two other individuals were injured in the crash, while Bohm emerged unscathed.
Bohm was initially charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, but the charges were later increased to include four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. His attorney argues these charges lack legal foundation.
Defense attorney Jacqueline Sparanga submitted a 55-page motion on September 30, requesting the judge to dismiss the murder charges.
In an interview with the New York Post, Sparanga stated: “We believe that the facts that were presented at the preliminary hearing do not establish murder charges, so we’re asking the court to look at the facts that were presented … and look at the law and make a determination that the facts do not rise to the level of murder.”
She added: “We believe he was very overcharged, grossly overcharged. We don’t believe this is a murder case. This is our first shot at getting the murder charges dismissed.”
The motion contends that the prosecution lacks sufficient legal evidence to prove implied malice, which refers to a person’s knowing engagement in behavior likely to result in death or serious injury.
It also criticizes the prosecution’s approach as being based on an unfounded theory.
Bohm made an appearance at the Van Nuys Courthouse when the motion was filed, and Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson is expected to review the presented arguments.
The case has garnered significant attention, not only due to the devastating nature of the crash but also because Bohm’s defense team includes the renowned Los Angeles attorney Alan Jackson, known for high-profile cases involving Karen Read, Harvey Weinstein, and Kevin Spacey.
Last month, Jackson’s attempt to lower Bohm’s $4 million bail to $2 million was denied. Jackson stated that Bohm’s family had sold their home and exhausted their retirement savings to finance his defense.
Bohm has entered a plea of not guilty and is awaiting trial. If found guilty, he faces the possibility of multiple life sentences. A hearing to discuss the dismissal motion is set for November 10.