Two new college grads, a young couple that had been out partying over cocktails, ended their celebration on a very somber note: The male caused the death of both his girlfriend and her six-year-old son in a DUI-fueled accident, as reported by the Daily Californian.
UC Berkeley alumnus J.L., 25, was found guilty of two counts of vehicular manslaughter on May 15 after pleading no contest. He was responsible for the death of M.L., 22, and her son X.C, 6. M.L. was also a UC Berkeley graduate.
According to Deputy District Attorney Teresa Drenick, a 12-year long prison term is being sought by the Alameda County District Attorney's office.
M.L.'s neighbor and also a graduate of UC Berkeley, R.M., commented via email, "It is a tremendous relief to know this particular chapter has come to a close without the trauma of what we knew would be a painful trial for her family and friends. We will continue to celebrate (M.L.) and (X.C.'s) lives and remember the beautiful friend and mother she was in our community."
J.L.'s defense attorney, Paul Wolf, believes that 12 years in prison is too harsh a punishment for his grief-stricken client. Wolf said that J.L. "has never denied nor sought to shirk his responsibility for the damage and pain for which he has shared and continues to experience. He loved both of them. It's an accident, and he's responsible for it."
Sentencing is scheduled for June 11. At that time Wolf plans to argue for a lighter punishment on his client's behalf.
While driving in central Berkeley, J.L. plowed into a tree at about 1 in the morning on May 18, 2012. Passengers M.L. was killed and X.C. was severely injured.
Police reports show that J.L.'s blood alcohol level was double the legal limit to drive.
X.C. was taken to Oakland's Children's Hospital and Research Center. He languished for one week on life support before succumbing to his injuries.
M.L. lived with X.C. in Berkeley's student housing located at the University Village in Albany. She had started at the school in 2007. After her recent graduation she had planned to attend UCLA to acquire a master's degree in teaching.
J.L., who first obtained a sociology degree from UC Santa Barbara, entered Berkeley in 2010 and had just recently graduated from the ethnic studies department.
Wolf said that the couple had been out celebrating their recent degrees over drinks the night of the accident.
J.L.'s bail is set at $200,000 and is held in Dublin's Santa Rita Jail.
Wolf commented, "It's one of the most tragic cases I've ever been involved in, and I've been a criminal defense lawyer for 37 years. It caused nearly intolerable injury and loss to three people and their respective families."
Before pleading no contest to charges stemming from a DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI contact a DUI attorney. A prison sentence can be one result if you are found guilty; other results can also include fines, community service, loss of driving privileges and substance abuse counseling.