Riverside Police are looking for suspects in connection with what they described as the "intentional" hit-and-run killing of a 62-year-old Riverside man.
As we see it, this story presents a good chance to discuss why it is important that alleged crimes fit the circumstances.
The man was struck around 6:30 a.m. Sept. 14 as he stood in a front yard of a residence in the 7100 block of Marguerita Avenue in the Casa Blanca neighborhood of Riverside. He was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery, but it was to no avail. He died in early October.
Police have been tight-lipped as to why they think this hit-and-run was intentional.
As criminal defense attorneys, we think it will be interesting to see what authorities' investigation turns up. If this hit-and-run was indeed intentional, then the responsible party should be charged with murder. If it was an accident, however, then the appropriate charge would likely be manslaughter. Those are two very different crimes and they carry different punishments. In a case like this, a criminal defense attorney's objective may not be to prove his or her client not guilty; it may be to ensure that the client is treated fairly by the court and is charged only with crimes that are borne out by the circumstances.
If you are charged with committing a crime in the Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Corona or Riverside areas, it would be wise to make sure you are well-represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney. You are welcome to contact us at any time for a free and confidential consultation.