Paul Walker crash: Pair plead not guilty to stealing Porsche part
Two men who allegedly stole part of the wrecked Porsche in which “Fast and Furious” actor Paul Walker died pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of felony grand theft, authorities said.
James Brooks Witty, 18, and Anthony Edward Janow, 25, allegedly stole a roof panel from a tow truck carrying the destroyed Porsche Carrera GT away from the crash site in Santa Clarita, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors say the pair took the panel after they were already told they could not take any parts from the vehicle.
RELATED: Porsche traveling 100 mph, nearly split in half
An Instagram account for @jamesonwhitty showed what the user claimed to be a piece of the Porsche: “Piece of Paul walkers car, took it off a tow truck at a stop light…#paulwalker” #rip #comeup.”
A second message on the same account offered an apology.
“Paul was a childhood idol to me and many. At the time I was not thinking about the consequences it could have, I never wanted it to be like this I wasn’t going to sell the piece to make a profit,” the message read.
“Nobody in this world is perfect, we all make mistakes. Some bigger than others.”
Walker died Nov. 30 after the Porsche he was in crashed and erupted in flames, coroner’s officials said. Walker’s financial advisor and friend, 38-year-old Roger Rodas, was behind the wheel of the Porsche and was also killed.
Witty and Janow entered their pleas on the same day coroner’s officials released autopsy reports that revealed Walker and Rodas were traveling more than 100 mph when Rodas lost control of the Porsche.
“It appeared that the vehicle was almost split in half,” according to the report.
Both Rodas’ and Walker’s bodies were found braced for impact in a “pugilistic” stance.
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