A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has denied a motion to dismiss murder charges against Fraser Michael Bohm in connection with a 2023 crash in Malibu that killed four Pepperdine University students.
This marks the second time Bohm’s defense team has attempted to have the charges dropped, citing new evidence that allegedly undermines the case against him. The previous motion was rejected in November 2025.
Prosecutors allege that on October 17, 2023, Bohm was driving over 100 mph on Pacific Coast Highway when he lost control of his BMW, crashing into parked cars and killing four students: Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams. All four were seniors at Pepperdine’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts and members of the Alpha Phi sorority. They were posthumously awarded their degrees with the class of 2024.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson argued that the preliminary hearing was compromised and that the murder charges require more than just evidence of speeding. He stated that “implied malice murder requires proof that the natural and probable consequences of that act and that act alone… is nearly certain to cause death.” Despite these arguments, the judge ruled that sufficient evidence exists for the trial to proceed.
The crash occurred on a section of Pacific Coast Highway known as “Dead Man’s Curve,” notorious for accidents. The incident led to increased traffic enforcement and safety measures in the area. Bohm, who was 22 at the time of the crash, is facing four counts of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He is scheduled to go on trial on September 8, with pretrial motions set for September 2.
Recent Comments