Encino Pilot Pleads Not Guilty in Death of 2 After Ocean Crash
An Encino pilot, whose small plane crashed into the ocean off Malibu in April, killing two passengers, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of second-degree murder and drunken flying.
Roger Amiran, 23, entered the plea at his arraignment in Municipal Court in downtown Los Angeles. Judge Glennette Blackwell allowed him to remain free on $5,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing Oct. 8.
Prosecutors said Amiran’s rented four-seat Piper Cherokee Warrior crashed into the ocean April 9 about 500 yards offshore.
Amiran and one passenger, Laurie Ann Thuer of Simi Valley, became tangled in kelp as they tried to swim ashore and were pulled from the water by a Coast Guard helicopter. Two other passengers drowned--John Harris of Northridge and Mathew Frey of Canoga Park, both 22.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Amiran could be sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison.
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