A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has denied a defense request to dismiss murder charges against Fraser Bohm, clearing the way for the case to proceed to trial in the 2023 Malibu crash that killed four Pepperdine University sorority sisters.

Bohm, now 24, faces four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in connection with the October 17, 2023, crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Prosecutors allege he was driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph (reports have cited up to 104 mph in a 45-mph zone) when he lost control of his vehicle, struck parked cars, and killed the four women who were standing nearby.

The victims were Pepperdine seniors and Alpha Phi sorority members: Niamh Rolston, 20; Asha Weir, 21; Peyton Stewart, 21; and Deslyn Williams, 21. All four died at the scene.

Defense attorneys argued that the murder charges were not supported by the evidence and sought dismissal, describing the case as overcharged. Judge Thomas Rubinson rejected the motion, finding sufficient grounds for the charges to stand. This follows an earlier unsuccessful attempt by the defense to have the murder counts dismissed.

Bohm has pleaded not guilty. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges in a fatal traffic collision and the ages of the victims. A trial date has been discussed in prior hearings, with earlier indications pointing toward a possible fall start, though an exact date will be set as proceedings continue.

The families of the victims and the Pepperdine community have closely followed the case since the crash. The decision means Bohm will face a jury on the murder charges unless further legal challenges alter the path of the case.

Sources

• Los Angeles Superior Court ruling by Judge Thomas Rubinson
• ABC7, Fox LA, CBS Los Angeles, LA Times,