MALIBU ¬ó The driver who struck and killed 13-year-old Emily Shane as she walked along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu two years ago was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in prison.
Sina Khankhanian, who turns 29 next week, was convicted May 17 of one count of second-degree murder in the April 3, 2010 death of Shane.
The first trial for Khankhanian ended earlier this year in a hung jury, but the second trial concluded in May with a conviction. Deputy prosecutor Marna Miller argued during the trials that Khankhanian, despondent over losing his job and troubles with his fiancé, was suicidal and should have known his actions would place others in danger as he drove recklessly on the 17 miles from his home in Winnetka before crashing near the intersection of Heathercliff Road and PCH.
It was revealed Khankhanian left a suicide note at his house before getting in the car. Multiple witnesses also testified that Khankhanian was profane and combative at the scene of the crash.
Defense attorney Bradley Brunon argued that Khankhanian, who was diagnosed with autism, was incapable of comprehending the danger his reckless driving caused to other motorists and bystanders. Brunon said Khankhanian was instead guilty of vehicular manslaughter.
This article originally appeared in the Malibu Times.
