Josh Klinghoffer, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and Pearl Jam all-round live musician, was summoned to the Alhambra Courthouse, Los Angeles, at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024, to appear on a charge of involuntary manslaughter to be accused. On March 18, Josh Klinghoffer allegedly ran over 47-year-old Israel Sanchez while he was crossing the street at a crosswalk in Alhambra. His daughter Ashley Sanchez then filed a lawsuit against Klinghoffer.
It is unclear when a decision can be expected in the courtroom and how long the process will last. The punishment is currently not foreseeable.
Lawyers contradict each other
Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew B. Brettler, told Pitchfork that the event was a “tragic accident”: “After the car hit the pedestrian, Josh immediately pulled over, stopped the vehicle, called 911 and waited for the police and ambulance arrived. He is cooperating fully with the traffic investigation.”
However, according to Variety, the defendant’s legal representative, Nick Rowley, announced that Klinghoffer should be convicted “of murder”: “We have a video of him on his cell phone at the time he shot Israel Sanchez, a loving father, on one Crosswalk struck and killed. Israel Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store to make soup for his family and didn’t come home. He did everything right, paying attention to oncoming traffic and following pedestrian signs, but tragically he was fatally struck from behind with a large SUV by Mr. Klinghoffer, who was in a hurry and on the phone. The loss and grief the Sanchez family now faces is immense. We will not stop until Mr. Sanchez and his family are held accountable and receive justice.”
Video recording is intended to prove the crime
“TMZ” presumably published the video mentioned by Rowley and from an unknown source, which is supposed to document the alleged incident. Here you can see the video.
It shows a man crossing a zebra crossing at an intersection when he is hit by a black SUV turning left. The driver then stops after colliding with the pedestrian, runs over to the person censored in the clip, then turns around and goes back to his car. In the first few seconds it appears as if the driver is holding an object in his hand over the steering wheel.
