Red Hot Chili Peppers Rocker Pleads Not Guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter Charge: Latest Developments in Josh Klinghoffer Case

Update, Tuesday, October 29, 2024: Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and current Pearl Jam touring member Josh Klinghoffer has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence in connection with a March 2024 car crash that killed a pedestrian. Klinghoffer entered his plea in an Alhambra courtroom through his attorney, Blair Berk, on Sept. 27, six months after he allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian walking in a California crosswalk. Associated Press. The 45-year-old rocker did not attend the hearing and a source said: New York Post It is normal for attorneys to appear in misdemeanor cases without the parties involved.

Klinghoffer, who is accused of running over and killing 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, faces a maximum of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted. He is not accused of having any violent intent, only of failure to submit. Klingoffer’s criminal case will return to court on October 31.

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In addition to the charge, Klinghoffer also faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Sanchez’s family in July. On Oct. 18, a Superior Court judge threw out most of the case, ruling that the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, failed to show that Klinghoffer’s actions rose to the level of “despicable and willful” conduct required to seek punitive damages. Accordingly Rolling stoneThe judge said: “The facts alleged here by the plaintiff clearly demonstrate that the defendant was careless, even reckless. However, carelessness is not sufficient to support a claim for punitive damages.” He added that the plaintiff can file an amended lawsuit, but new facts must be added that allegedly show “bad motive.”

Original Story, Thursday, September 26, 2024: Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is facing charges in connection with: A car accident that occurred in March 2024 fatally struck a pedestrian. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, a current touring member of Pearl Jam, is scheduled to go on trial in a California court on Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. KTLA 5 News And Deadline.

The charge stems from a crash recorded on a nearby security camera on March 18. Klinghoffer is accused of driving a GMC Yukon on Meridian Boulevard near West Main Street in Alhambra, Calif., and striking pedestrian Israel Sanchez, 47, as he walked in the crosswalk. Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, said in a previous statement that Klinghoffer “immediately pulled over, called 911, and remained at the scene until police and paramedics arrived.”

It was stated that Sanchez suffered “excruciating” injuries after being “thrown and/or dragged onto the asphalt”. wrongful death lawsuit The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in July by his daughter, Ashley Sanchez. Sanchez was pronounced dead at Huntington Hospital at 5:28 p.m., according to court records.

There was controversy as to whether Klinghoffer was distracted while driving. Sanchez’s family claimed that the guitarist was distracted while driving and did not brake in time.

“The video of the incident shows that Defendant Klinghoffer made no effort to brake or slow down until he fatally struck Mr. Sanchez, indicating that Klinghoffer was likely driving while distracted,” attorneys for Sanchez’s family said in a press release. . “In the video taken a few seconds before the incident, an object believed to be a phone is seen between the steering wheel and the driver.”

But Klinghoffer’s legal team disputed the claims that he was distracted, with Brettler telling KTLA 5 News: “It is clear from the evidence that Mr. Klinghoffer was not on the phone at the time of the accident. This was a tragic accident. “There is no criminal intent and there are no allegations.”

Klinghoffer, who spent a decade in the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019 and also played for Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop and Morrissey, was arraigned in Alhambra, California, on a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. will be removed. The courthouse is at 08.30. He was released on his own request.