Jury convicts driver of all 11 murder counts for causing Metrolink crash [SoCal]

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 26, 2008 | Ann M. Simmons and Jack Leonard

[La Enchiladita]

Jurors today convicted Juan Manuel Alvarez of 11 counts of first-degree murder for the deadly Metrolink crash he caused three years ago when he parked his vehicle on railroad tracks.

The jury also found the 29-year-old Compton laborer guilty of arson and a special circumstance allegation that makes him eligible for the death penalty. Jurors will now hear testimony to determine whether Alvarez should be put to death for his crimes.

Alvarez sat without showing emotion as the guilty verdicts were announced in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom. The jury of nine women and three men took less than two days to convict Alvarez.

.....

[La Enchiladita]

Shocker.

[Coffee200am]

Get rid of it.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Why in hell did this take three years of taxpayers money? This should have been done in a year!

[Harley]

Alvarez, a delusional methamphetamine addict, changed his mind about committing suicide.

Let's give him his wish.

[La Enchiladita]

I was thinking this trial would never happen.
So much of the public has forgotten the horror of that day, when hundreds were injured in addition to the 11 who were killed.
I am surprised they are done and the guilty verdicts are in.

[bornred]

special circumstance allegation that makes him eligible for the death penalty

Uh oh, Mexico's not gonna be happy about this one.

But screw em.

[montag813]

Run him over with a train.

[Deo volente]

Alvarez sat without showing emotion as the guilty verdicts were announced

Of course. They never do. He didn't show any emotion during the entire trial, from what I've heard.

[La Enchiladita]

Say what you will about L.A., but I am proud that WE still know the difference between suicide and homicide. Props to the jury.