Manslaghter charge reduced in fatal Pomona hit-and-run
A judge reduced a vehicular manslaughter charge filed against an Ontario man from a felony to a misdemeanor today at the conclusion of a preliminary hearing.
Jose Mariscal, 25, is accused by prosecutors of leaving the scene after running over a 19-year-old Ontario woman Aug. 15.
Liliana Martinez was crossing an unmarked area of Temple Avenue near Scoreboards sports bar after 11 p.m. when she was struck by Mariscal. Martinez died Aug. 27.
In addition to the manslaughter charge, Mariscal faces a felony hit-and-run charge and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license.
His defense attorney, Crashawn Jackson, said Mariscal has a valid license from Mexico. He had arrived in the United States about two months earlier on a work visa, Jackson said.
Judge Robert Martinez reduced the manslaughter charge because he said Mariscal did not demonstrate "gross negligence" the night of the collision.
Mariscal was driving under the speed limit, he was not drunk or on drugs, and there was no evidence he was aware one of his headlights may have been faulty, Martinez said.
"I think it's ordinary negligence," Martinez said.
The judge reduced Mariscal's bail to $50,000 from $100,000. Mariscal remains in custody and is scheduled to be re-arraigned on the charges Nov. 13.
Jose Mariscal should be cosidered guilty for Liliana's death.She was a great woman that didnt deserve to die that way.She was just 19 bearly going to college.She was also a great dancer.That was her passion!What he did to her has no mercy.He should be in jail for the rest of his life!It wasn't necessay to hit and run if it was an accident!!!!!
i SO AGREE WitH ROCiO. LikE fOR REAL, WAS HE NOt LOOkiNG tOWARDS WHERE HE WAS DRiViNG OR WAt? LiLiANA WAS A DANCiNG ANGEL SENt fROM HEAVEN. LikE tHE DUDE SHOULDNt BE iN tHERE fOR EVER BUt HE SHOULD GEt A SERiOUS PUNiSHMENt.
R.i.P
LiLiANA MARtiNEZ
Lili was a great person this guy should stay in jail for life because of him we lost a great person n dancer. He has no idea how many people he hurt.
i am liliana martinez's cousin. i have so much anger on the guy who ran her over, i love and miss lily oh so much but we all know shes in a better place now, and she diserved nothing like this at all .
he shouldnt be let out with bail he should stay in for atleats 5o years nothing is gonna bring our lily back. goshh babygirl its going to be 8 months that you are gone and i still can not belive that you are gone it hurts me so much to know that you are no longer here lilu your Trully MiSsEd t0 the Fullest we LOVE YOUU OHHH SOO SOOO MUCH our daNciiNg Angel...
ResT iN PaRadise babyGiRl..