LAKEPORT — The murder trial of Alejandro Aurelio Arias has been set for late January, almost two and a half years after the fatal car crash authorities claim he caused.
Arias, 30, faces four felony charges, including second-degree murder and reckless driving causing injury, for his alleged role in the crash that killed Charlane Hill, 41.
Authorities say Arias sped through a red light at the intersection of highways 29 and 175 in Lakeport on Sept. 11, 2009 and crashed into another car, killing the driver and severely injuring two of the three passengers.
Arias has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Continuances had been a theme in the case for more than a year but the trial appeared to be ready to start last week. However, it got pushed out yet again on Oct. 7 when the court ruled Arias should be appointed a new public defender.
Attorney Doug Rhoades suggested to the court Monday that moving the trial to late January would give him enough time to familiarize himself with the case.
Judge Andrew S. Blum scheduled the trial to begin on Jan. 25.
Arias will next appear in court on Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. in Department 1 for a settlement conference. He remains in custody at the Lake County Jail.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
