A judge has rejected defense efforts to dismiss murder charges against a wealthy young man who killed four Pepperdine University students while driving his BMW at 104 mph, ensuring accountability despite his privileged background.
Story Highlights
- Fraser Bohm faces murder charges for killing four Pepperdine sorority sisters in October 2023
- Judge refuses defense motion to dismiss charges, case proceeds to trial
- Bohm was driving 104 mph in a 45 mph zone on Pacific Coast Highway
- Case highlights debate over privilege and equal justice under law
Judge Upholds Murder Charges Despite Defense Challenge
Los Angeles County Superior Court has denied defense motions to dismiss murder charges against Fraser Bohm, the wealthy defendant accused of killing four Pepperdine University students in a high-speed crash. The judge’s ruling allows prosecutors to proceed with the rare murder charges typically reserved for cases showing “implied malice” or conscious disregard for human life. This decision represents a significant victory for families seeking justice and sends a clear message that wealth cannot shield defendants from accountability when their reckless actions cause tragic loss of life.
Horrific Crash Details Reveal Extreme Recklessness
On October 17, 2023, Bohm was driving his BMW—an 18th birthday gift from his parents—at 104 mph in a 45 mph zone on the Pacific Coast Highway near Pepperdine University. The impact killed four female students, all members of the same sorority, who were struck while on the roadway. Evidence suggests Bohm may have been distracted by his phone during the crash. The prosecution filed charges with unusual speed just four days later, signaling the severity of the case and the strength of evidence against the defendant.
Prosecution Builds Case on Implied Malice Theory
Los Angeles County prosecutors argue that Bohm’s extreme speed and reckless driving demonstrate “implied malice,” the legal standard required for murder charges in vehicular homicide cases. Driving at more than double the speed limit in a residential area near a university campus shows conscious disregard for human safety. Legal experts note that murder charges in vehicular cases are rare but justified when defendants display such extreme indifference to life. The prosecution’s aggressive approach reflects growing frustration with wealthy defendants who believe their privilege exempts them from consequences.
Case Exposes Two-Tiered Justice System Concerns
The Bohm case has intensified public scrutiny of how the justice system treats wealthy defendants versus ordinary citizens. Many observers question whether a defendant from a less privileged background would have access to high-profile defense attorneys capable of challenging murder charges. The defense’s attempt to dismiss charges based on prosecutorial timing appears to exploit legal technicalities rather than address the fundamental facts of the case. This pattern reinforces concerns about a two-tiered justice system where wealth provides advantages that ordinary Americans cannot afford when facing similar charges.
The judge’s refusal to dismiss charges represents a crucial step toward ensuring equal justice regardless of economic status. As the case proceeds to trial, it will test whether prosecutors can successfully hold privileged defendants accountable for their actions and whether juries will reject attempts to minimize responsibility based on social status rather than facts.
Sources:
CBS News Los Angeles – Pepperdine University Students Crash Malibu Murder Trial Judge Fraser Bohm
Fox LA – Defense Seeks Dismissal Murder Charges Malibu Crash Killed 4 Pepperdine Students
