Judge Vows to Eject Spectators If Hostility Continues

LA Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson made a stark promise on Thursday regarding the Fraser Bohm case. He vowed to eject spectators from his courtroom if the hostile behavior between victim families and supporters does not stop immediately. The judge is reacting to ugly clashes that have erupted in hallways, elevators, and parking garages near Van Nuys.

"It's not ok to be acting in a way that belongs in a junior high school yard - I want it to stop," Rubinson declared. He noted he had become aware of inappropriate confrontations involving threats, four-letter words, and intimidation. There must be a degree of decorum inside the courtroom. If anyone is involved in this chaos, cut it out. The judge will not tolerate such disrespect.

The accused man faces grim charges. Fraser Bohm, 24 at the time of the hearing but 22 during the crash, is on trial for killing four Pepperdine University sorority sisters. He drove a BMW into them on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway in October 2023. Prosecutors say he lost control and slammed into stationary vehicles where the girls were walking. The speed limit was 45mph. Yet data from the car's black box showed Bohm accelerated from 93mph to 104mph just two and a half seconds before impact.

Bohm wore a light gray check suit with a blue shirt and tie at Thursday's hearing. He arrived flanked by his divorced parents, Christopher and Brooke, plus his sister. His mother reportedly bought the BMW as an eighteen-year-old birthday gift for her son. Bohm is pleading not guilty to four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

The courtroom was packed with opposing factions. Supporters of the suspect filled one side, while family and friends of the victims occupied the other. This division has fueled tension that threatens to spill over into open conflict. The judge warned troublemakers specifically about their actions. He emphasized that his patience is wearing thin.

A significant legal battle unfolded during the session regarding evidence. Bohm's attorneys moved to ban three statistical studies from being used at trial. These studies concluded that a pedestrian has virtually zero chance of surviving a collision at 100mph. The defense argued the statistics were irrelevant, confusing, and too complicated for a jury to understand.

Judge Rubinson granted the motion. He stated he would not permit these specific statistics to be presented. This ruling offers a pre-trial victory for the defense team. It limits what prosecutors can show jurors about survival rates in high-speed crashes. The court is now strictly enforcing order before the trial officially begins next term.

Last month the judge threw out Bohm's attempt to keep the jury from hearing answers about his speed, alcohol use, or phone usage just before the crash."

The ruling came after a heated exchange in court where defense attorney Jacqueline Sparagna claimed her client was under duress. She argued that deputies questioned him while he sat detained for hours at the scene of the tragedy.

Sparagna insisted they were "confrontational and accusatory," warning Bohm that an arrest awaited if he did not cooperate immediately.

She labeled the interaction as "custodial interrogation," noting her client was treated as a suspect even though Miranda rights were read six hours later.

The questions sought to elicit incriminating responses, she told the court.

Judge Rubinson rejected these motions. He pointed to the "extraordinary circumstances" of the horrific accident and stated that deputies were "entitled" to ask how fast Bohm was driving.

"He was detained," the judge said in denying the motion. "But he was not in custody for purposes of Miranda."

The official noted a key distinction: "He was not arrested. He was never handcuffed at the scene."

Bohm's legal team also pushed back on claims regarding his mental state. The judge conceded Bohm might have suffered from a concussion later but dismissed arguments that he was confused immediately after impact.

"He was able to understand what was being asked," Judge Rubinson stated firmly. "He knew where he was."

The jury trial, originally set for September, has been pushed back to December. Lead defense attorney Alan Jackson needed more time to counter a new theory from prosecutors.

They allege Bohm carried a "giant canister of nitrous oxide" in his lap right before the deadly smashup on Pacific Coast Highway.

This 10-12 pound laughing gas container was found inside his BMW by authorities.

Jackson worried that announcing this evidence on the eve of trial would imply Bohm was inhaling the gas at the moment of impact.

The legal drama unfolded against a backdrop of rising tension. The judge even threatened to ban spectators after clashes occurred between Bohm's supporters and victim families in the courtroom.

Footage from the night captures the mangled remains of the red BMW, an 18th birthday gift received during his parents' divorce settlement.

The crash took place near a bend locals call "Dead Man's Curve" on October 17, 2023. Four young women died instantly there.

Peyton Stewart and Asha Weir were members of Alpha Phi sorority at Pepperdine University. They were pronounced dead alongside their two friends right at the scene.

Among the fallen were Deslyn Williams and Niamh Rolston, who shared a bond as close friends and sorority sisters.

Deputy District Attorney Nathan Bartos clarified his stance to the court during recent proceedings. He said he did not intend to argue Bohm inhaled the gas.

His focus remained on possession alone. "Possession distracted his driving," Bartos told the judges.

The grieving parents of all four victims are pursuing wrongful death civil lawsuits against Bohm. They are also suing the State of California, LA County, the City of Malibu, and the California Coastal Commission.

Their claims point to dangerous road design on PCH and a lack of necessary safety standards in that specific area.

All four seniors belonged to Pepperdine's Seaver College of Liberal Arts before their deaths. They were set to graduate with the class of 2024.

Later, they were awarded their degrees posthumously by their alma mater.