LOS ANGELES — A judge in California has declined to reduce the bail for a young man charged in the deaths of four Pepperdine University students. The defendant, Fraser Bohm, 23, faces serious charges, including murder and vehicular manslaughter, stemming from an incident in 2023 in which he is accused of driving recklessly at over 100 miles per hour in Malibu and colliding with the students.
During a recent court hearing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson denied a request from Bohm’s attorney, Alan Jackson, to lower his client’s bail from $4 million to $2 million. The bail was previously reduced from an initial $8 million, reflecting the severity of the accusations against Bohm, who allegedly struck sorority sisters Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21.
Jackson, who is known for his high-profile defense work, asserted that Bohm’s family had depleted their savings, including the sale of their home, to fund his legal representation. He expressed concerns that the family would not be able to secure necessary evidence and expert witnesses to support Bohm’s defense, which he claims revolves around proving that the crash was a tragic accident rather than a criminal act.
However, Rubinson emphasized that the purpose of bail is not to subsidize private legal representation, stating that the justice system cannot accommodate a request solely based on the defendant’s ability to hire a star lawyer. The judge remarked that many defendants in similar situations would also seek reductions in bail for the purpose of hiring top-tier legal counsel. He urged Bohm’s family to consider public defense options if they were indeed in financial distress.
Tracy Rolston, the mother of victim Niamh Rolston, attended the hearing and expressed gratitude for maintaining the bail amount. She emphasized her family’s desire for justice, noting the lengthy period they have endured since the tragic loss of their daughter and her friends.
Bohm maintains that he was the victim of road rage during the incident, but prosecutors argue that evidence supporting such a claim is lacking. Following his arraignment, he entered a guilty plea to the murder charges last month, but the circumstances surrounding the event are still under scrutiny.
Jackson, optimistic about his client’s case, asserted that the defense team is prepared to present their side and reveal the truth. He has recently garnered attention for successfully defending another high-profile case in which his client was acquitted of serious charges.
Fraser Bohm is set to return to court for a hearing on October 8, as the legal proceedings continue in the wake of this devastating event that has profoundly affected the families of the deceased students and the larger community.
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