Attias Pleads Not Guilty in Deaths of Four Pedestrians

UC Santa Barbara freshman David Attias appeared in court Tuesday, pleading not guilty to 13 charges--including four general counts of murder--stemming from a Feb. 23 incident in which his car careened down a crowded Isla Vista street and slammed into a group of pedestrians.

Without making eye contact with his parents, who sat in the front row, Attias was arraigned before Santa Barbara Superior Court Commissioner Edward de Caro.

Handcuffed and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, the spiky-haired 18-year-old paid close attention to defense attorney Robert Sanger during the short deliberations. He did not turn to acknowledge his parents, Hollywood television and film director Daniel Attias and his wife, Diana, or anyone else in the half-filled courtroom. When the commissioner asked if he agreed to the not-guilty pleas, the suspect answered, “Yes.”

Sanger did not ask for bail for his client and none was set. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 26.

The charges against Attias include four counts of murder, four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and five counts of driving under the influence of drugs and causing great bodily injury. Prosecutors noted in a press release that “no degree of murder is nor need be” specified in the current complaint. To prove a first-degree charge, prosecutors would have to show that Attias deliberately--not accidentally--struck the pedestrians.

Officials are still awaiting the results of tests on blood taken from Attias the night of the crash to determine if he had been using drugs or alcohol.

After the court appearance, Attias’ parents declined to comment and were quickly escorted out by sheriff’s deputies. Last week, the parents appeared before television cameras to express their shock and sorrow.

After the proceeding, Assistant Dist. Atty. Patrick McKinley declined to comment, as did defense lawyer Sanger. Court officials said they are concerned that pretrial publicity could prejudice potential jurors and prompt a change of venue.

“I don’t think we’ve had a change of venue case in 10 years,” said Lt. Mike Burridge, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

The carnage leading to Tuesday’s arraignment occurred on a busy Friday night in Isla Vista, a party town in the shadow of UC Santa Barbara where liquor stores hold rival keg sales to attract business. As college students were walking from party to party, Attias reportedly drove his Saab at speeds approaching 60 mph on busy Sabado Tarde.

Killed were UC Santa Barbara students Nicholas Bourdakis, 20, a sophomore; Christopher Divis, 20, a sophomore from Vista, Calif.; Ruth Levy, 20, a Santa Barbara City College student; and Elie Israel, 27, of San Francisco. Albert Levy, 27, Ruth’s brother, remains in serious but improving condition at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Witnesses have said that after Attias’ car stopped, the suspect jumped out, screamed and acted erratically until taken into custody by deputies.

Burridge said Attias has not exhibited any unusual behavior since the accident.

“His jailers report he is causing no problems and has been fine during the entire process,” Burridge said.