LAKEPORT — Jury selection is now set to begin Friday for the trial of a Kelseyville man charged with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal car crash in Lakeport more than three years ago.
The process was supposed to start Wednesday, but the case was assigned a new judge Tuesday because of scheduling issues and judge availability.
Alejandro Aurelio Arias, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, gross vehicular manslaughter and two counts of reckless driving causing injury stemming from the Sept. 11, 2009 collision that killed Laytonville resident Charlane Hill.
Authorities allege Arias sped 100 mph through a highway red light in Lakeport and crashed into a car driven by Hill, 41, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Her two passengers suffered major injuries.
Lake County Superior Court Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom will now preside over the trial at the Lakeport courthouse. Jury selection for the Arias case will begin Friday morning because Hedstrom is involved in another trial expected to end Thursday.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow trial coverage live on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #Ariastrial.
