Los Angeles DUI Driver Wins New Trial

A recent ruling in a case involving a DUI in Los Angeles County has overturned the second degree murder conviction of a woman who hit a pedestrian and kept driving—with the pedestrian stuck to her windshield.

In February 2014, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury convicted Sherri Lynn Wilkins of second degree murder and two counts of DUI in the death of Philip Moreno, 31, of Torrance California. A judge later sentenced her to 55 years in prison. But after her conviction, Wilkin’s defense attorneys argued that prosecutors unjustly introduced Wilkins long history of drug addiction and serious crime as evidence in the case.

The three-judge panel from California’s Second District Court of Appeal agreed. They noted that “The rap sheet reflected numerous arrests and several convictions, including for offenses such as drug possession crimes, prostitution, and thefts. We conclude admission of the rap sheet was prejudicial error requiring reversal of the murder and driving under the influence convictions.”

The 2012 accident received national attention because of its horrific nature. Wilkins hit Moreno, a pedestrian, and then drove for 2 ½ miles with him plastered against the windshield before she stopped her car. Even then she apparently made few efforts to help Moreno, smoking a cigarette and watching while others tried to assist him. Moreno later died at the hospital.
Wilkins’ attorneys admitted that she had drunk three vodka shots with beer and tomato juice while sitting in her car before she drove. But they claimed that the vodka had not yet had time to get into her system so she was not really impaired.

Wilkins is not free and clear, however; the judges only ruled that she should get a new trial. In their decision they noted that “there was substantial evidence to support a finding that defendant’s conduct was a substantial factor in causing Moreno’s death.”

To understand what to do to fight back against your charges, call Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer, Michael Kraut of Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers. As a former (and highly successful) Deputy District Attorney, Mr. Kraut has fought on behalf of defendants like you for nearly 20 years.