RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California guy accused of killing 3 teenage boys by way of deliberately ramming their automotive once they performed a doorbell-ringing prank on him was once discovered in charge Friday of homicide.
Anurag Chandra was once convicted in a Riverside County court of 3 counts of first-degree homicide and 3 counts of tried homicide.
“The homicide of those younger males was once a horrendous and mindless tragedy for our neighborhood. I thank the jury for his or her verdict. That is a very powerful step towards justice,” county District Lawyer Mike Hestrin mentioned in a commentary.
Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Check in by means of AP
Chandra’s legal professional, David Wohl, didn’t right away go back a request for remark Friday.
The sufferers, who have been all 16 years outdated, have been amongst six teenagers inside of a Toyota Prius on Jan. 19, 2020 when Chandra deliberately rammed their automobile off the street and fled, prosecutors mentioned.
The Prius’ motive force misplaced keep watch over and the sedan slammed right into a tree in Temescal Valley, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
The buddies had dared one boy to both bounce right into a pool at night time or play “ding dong ditch.”
Chandra, who didn’t know the kids, testified at trial that one of the crucial boys rang his doorbell and uncovered his buttocks earlier than operating away, in keeping with The Riverside Press-Endeavor. Chandra testified that he adopted as a result of he feared for his circle of relatives’s protection and sought after to precise his anger. He mentioned he was once “extraordinarily, extraordinarily mad” from the prank.
Chandra additionally testified that he drank 12 beers within the hours earlier than the crash, the newspaper reported. He mentioned he didn’t plan to crash into the Prius and testified that he didn’t forestall after rear-ending the sedan as a result of he didn’t notice any individual were injured — despite the fact that he admitted beneath cross-examination that he were using 99 mph (159 kph) earlier than the collision.
The crash killed Daniel Hawkins of Corona; Drake Ruiz of Corona; and Jacob Ivascu of Riverside, in keeping with the Riverside County coroner’s workplace.
Sergio Campusano was once the Prius’ 18-year-old motive force on the time. He and then-13-year-olds Joshua Hawkins and Joshua Ivascu survived the crash. They testified on the trial and have been within the court when the decision was once learn.
Chandra already was once going through prison fees in reference to alleged home violence in 2020 when the killings passed off.