FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – 6 men and 8 women are deciding the fate of 52 year old Luis Moreno – accused of killing a 54 year old mother of eight while driving drunk – when he hit her car three years ago.
The defense is disputing count 1 that Moreno deliberately acted with “conscious disregard” of human life, when he collided with the Toyota Corolla with Blia Vang inside, killing her on Friant Road back in May of 2013.
The defense is not disputing counts 2 & 3, felony drunken driving causing serious injury to Vang’s husband, Yee Her, and driving without a license.
In closing arguments, Defense Attorney Scott Kinney said of Moreno, “He’s intoxicated driving 50-60 miles per hour but it’s not murder.”
The prosecution is trying to prove Moreno knew driving drunk was dangerous, and that he drove under the influence, showing a conscious disregard for life.
Judge Hoff gave the jury instructions and now they decide if Moreno will or will not spend the rest of his life in prison – the maximum punishment for the 2nd degree murder charge.
