Brando’s Lawyer Seeking Charge of Manslaughter
Christian Brando’s defense lawyer has asked a court to reduce the murder charge against him to manslaughter. Another motion, filed this week in Superior Court, seeks to suppress a tape-recorded police interview with Brando, son of actor Marlon Brando.
Attorney Robert Shapiro will argue the motions before Superior Court Judge Robert Thomas on Sept. 14, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the district attorney. Brando, 32, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the May 16 shooting of Dag Drollet, 26, the boyfriend of Christian’s half-sister, Cheyenne. Drollet was found dead at Marlon Brando’s estate in the Santa Monica Mountains. Trial is set for Oct. 1.
Shapiro argued unsuccessfully during a preliminary hearing that the murder charge should be reduced to manslaughter because there was no evidence that Brando intended to kill Drollet. However, prosecutors have cited reports that Drollet was clutching a TV remote control device and other items when his body was discovered.
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