The arraignment hearing has been continued for a second time for the two Culver City residents charged with causing the November Corral Fire. The request for a continuance was made by the attorneys for Eric Matthew Ullman, 18, and Dean Allen Lavorante, 19. The suspects’ new hearing is scheduled for May 16.
The other three suspects charged with causing the fire- city of Los Angeles residents Brian Alan Anderson, 22, William Thomas Coppock, 23 and Brian David Franks, 27-pleaded not guilty in December. They are scheduled to return to court on April 21 for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial.
The five suspects are charged with felony counts of recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury and recklessly causing a fire to an inhabited structure. The District Attorney’s Office says the blaze was started “during and within an area of a state of emergency,” which would require a mandatory state prison sentence if the suspects were convicted. Attorneys for Coppock and Franks have said they do not believe there was a state of emergency in effect when the fire began.
The Corral Fire burned 4,900 acres and destroyed 86 structures, 53 of them homes. Also, 37 vehicles and a mobile home were destroyed. Another 45 structures, including 33 homes, were damaged. Six firefighters were injured, including one who received second-degree burns to the face.
Sixty schools expected for MHS college fair
Malibu High School will host its third annual College Fair on Monday. The event, being organized by the Malibu High PTSA and the Malibu Boys and Girls Club, will include representatives and alumni from 60 colleges and universities.
The event is free and takes place in the Old Gym from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be sold. More information can be obtained online at malibuhigh.smmusd.org, click on COLLEGE FAIR.
PCH Closure
One westbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway between Kanan Dume Road and Cavalleri Road is being closed this week on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tree trimming work.
The California Department of Transportation has issued an encroachment permit to Southern California Edison for this work.
-Jonathan Friedman