The weight of October 17th, 2023, continues to press down on Malibu, California, as a legal battle intensifies surrounding a devastating crash that claimed the lives of four young women. Fraser Bohm, now 24, is preparing to appeal a judge’s decision to uphold murder charges against him, charges his defense team argues are a tragic overreach of the law.
Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams – all 21 or 22 years old and seniors at Pepperdine University – were walking along Pacific Coast Highway when Bohm’s BMW careened out of control. Witnesses described a scene of chaos: a cloud of smoke, shattered glass, and the sickening crunch of metal against metal.
The prosecution alleges Bohm was traveling at a shocking 104 mph in a 45 mph zone, a notorious stretch of highway known locally as “Dead Man’s Curve.” The impact was catastrophic, leaving the four women pinned between vehicles and pronounced dead at the scene.
Initially arrested on manslaughter charges, the case took a dramatic turn a week later when investigators filed murder charges. This escalation hinges on the legal concept of “implied malice,” requiring proof that Bohm consciously disregarded a high probability of death.
Bohm’s defense, now led by prominent attorney Alan Jackson, vehemently disputes this claim. Jackson argues that speed alone does not equate to murder, especially in the absence of any evidence of intoxication, distracted driving, or reckless intent. He points to the existence of vehicular manslaughter laws designed for precisely this type of tragedy.
Court documents reveal a chilling detail: Bohm reportedly told police he was intimately familiar with the dangerous curve, even acknowledging the phrase “speed kills” – a lesson learned after losing two friends in a previous crash on the same road. Prosecutors contend this knowledge underscores his culpability.
However, the defense presents a conflicting narrative. They suggest Bohm was attempting to evade another driver, Victor Calandra, who allegedly has a history of road rage. Testimony from another witness reportedly contradicts Calandra’s account of the events leading up to the crash.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson, after considering the arguments, sided with the prosecution, refusing to dismiss the murder charges. This decision has now fueled Bohm’s appeal, a last-ditch effort to challenge the severity of the accusations.
The community of Malibu continues to mourn the loss of these four bright, promising lives. A recent memorial ceremony saw four white doves released, a poignant symbol of remembrance for the women who were taken too soon. Pepperdine University, overlooking the vast Pacific, remains a place of grief and reflection.
The case is not simply about assigning blame; it’s a complex examination of intent, responsibility, and the devastating consequences of reckless behavior. As the appeal moves forward, the question remains: where does the line between tragedy and murder truly lie?
