![The trial stems from a crash that occurred around 10:55 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12 in Lancaster. [LUIS MEZA]](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Lancaster-drunk-driver-crash-through-home-3.29.15-2.jpg)
Aaron Benson is charged with second-degree murder for the death of 71-year-old Patricia Ann Holmes. He is also charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense.
The charges stem from a crash that occurred around 10:55 p.m. Sunday, March 29, on the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12 in Lancaster.
Benson was driving drunk when he sideswiped cars parked on the street and then crashed his pickup truck through a bedroom, where Holmes was lying in bed, according to Deputy District Attorney Sun Chung.
“The truck came to rest on top of Ms. Holmes,” Chung told the jury during her opening statement Monday.
The evidence would show that Benson’s blood alcohol content was .21 percent an hour and a half after the crash, and Benson admitted to drinking two 24-ounce beers and two shots of whiskey between 8:30 and 10 p.m. on the night of the fatal crash, Chung said.
Jurors would hear evidence regarding Benson’s 2011 criminal conviction for DUI, Chung said.
“What this case is about is a choice that this defendant made,” the prosecutor told the jury.
During his opening statement, defense attorney Manuel Medrano stressed that his client was not guilty of second-degree murder.
“It was absolutely unforeseeable that the truck would end up in the bedroom of that house,” Medrano told the jury.
Medrano described Benson as a responsible, hardworking young man who had a longstanding drinking problem. “He started drinking alcohol at about age 10,” Medrano told the jury.
Benson would be taking the witness stand during trial to look jurors in the eye and tell his story, the defense attorney said.
“This is not a guy with a rap sheet as long as your left arm,” Medrano told the jury.
If convicted as charged, Benson faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.
The trial is expected to continue this week in Department A20 of the Antelope Valley courthouse.
Previous related stories:
Murder trial ordered in Lancaster crash that killed sleeping elderly woman
Hearing moved to late May for alleged drunk driver who crashed into woman’s home
Man pleads not guilty in crash that killed elderly woman sleeping inside Lancaster home
Murder charge filed in Lancaster home crash that killed sleeping elderly woman
Suspected DUI driver crashes into Lancaster home, woman killed
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Ken says
Every man deserve s his day in court.
common sense in a senseless world says
I love how he’s going to use the tried but seldom successful defense of “I didn’t do it- it was the booze!”. I hope nobody on the jury buys this crap. If it was the booze, then who put the gun to his head to drink it? It all goes back to the same thing- he drank, he drove, he killed. Case closed.
chris says
He has a prior conviction…he should get at least 18 months…wtf…eye for an eye…you get life
AVs most wanted says
The defense is ” some guy grabbed my his ass at the bar and followed him home, feared for his life so he took off in his truck.”
Wow if a guy grabbed my ass he’s getting punched in the face!!
In a Hurry says
It’s sad! To be possibly put away for life, because of a stupid choice.
I’m bothered in many ways, the act of a drunkin’ decision to put him away for a long time, but also by the lack of learning from prior mistakes that may have led to this…
God help us all, I don’t know how to think…
common sense in a senseless world says
see, that’s what his defense attorney want’s you to think. you are just the type of person he wanted on the Jury. don’t fall for it… there’s nothing to think. he drank, he drove, he killed… it’s pretty-much all on him regardless of the circumstances.
Danny says
Another waste of tax money, guilty put him down.
Tim Scott says
There are plenty of countries that don’t bother with this whole “trial by jury” business. Perhaps you should find one you like and move on…
Cali Palmdale says
Tim Scott the criminal defender well if clearly the guy messed up and killed someone it was going to happen sooner or later he dint think about taking someone life while drunk am sure he drove like this more than once. we should apply the same rules on all those criminals rapist killers. And I assure you we will se less of those scums committing crimes they will think more than twice before they do there crap.
Tim Scott says
Wow, haven’t seen this babble for a while. How ya been Cali? Glad to see you typing instead of driving.
W says
@Tim Scott, Liberals believe there is always an excuse for any behavior. It’s never the criminals fault for breaking the law. It’s society or to much sugar, bad childhood that’s the cause. Bernie Sanders blames climate control that’s what made criminals break the law. Stop blaming the wrong thing. People are responsible for their own behavior.
Tim Scott says
W…does this little tirade of yours relate to anything? If so, please explain, because i just don’t see how.
W says
@Tim Scott My little tirade as you call it is in response to all of your little tirades supporting criminals and your hatred of law enforcement.
Tim Scott says
Oh. You mean like when I suggest that people who think trial by jury isn’t necessary could go to some country where they don’t bother with such…those “tirades”?
Sorry if you think one of the major provisions of the constitution that makes America possible is just a bit of “liberal nonsense,” W. Maybe you should consider getting up to speed on the most rudimentary concepts of our government instead of just looking silly.
William says
@Tim Scott
It looks like ‘W’ is stalking you just like Claire and billandtimsbogusanswers have done.
The phrasing is so similar and the focus on you and nothing else is very familiar.
There is a lot of trash talking on this site with words removed and so on, but people like ‘W’ are obsessed solely with your comments. Interesting.
Tim Scott says
The price of fame.
Danny says
Well Tim Scot (two first names wow) like I said a waste of time and money he is guilty as the day is long realy doesn’t need to go to trial. Besides with people like you on a jury with no commen sense he will walk. The only people like you learn is if it hit close to home so perhaps you can care for the family and even give hugs and kisses to this pathetic piece a trash, remember birds of a feather flock together tiny tim.
One last thing your rants you post are so far off the intent of what is posted come up with something a little original.
Tim Scott says
LOL…like this piece of repetitive speculation about me? That was original?
Anyway, when someone like you comes up with the usual “in this case no trial required” the obvious question is: who do YOU think should decide when no trial is required? Me? You? A government official?
Go ahead, tell us your brilliant idea for improving the judicial system, since you are clearly convinced you have the “common sense” to do it.
Better tiny Tim than tiny brain, Danny…remember that.