Defendant changes plea before video of deadly Fresno crash unsealed

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Steve Garcia pleaded nary contention Thursday to a felony hit-and-run complaint that caused the decease of Paul Sanchez, moments earlier a tribunal proceeding was acceptable to see caller grounds and witnesser testimony.

During the hearing, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Houry Sanderson addressed Garcia astir the meaning of the plea.

"Do you recognize the 'no contest' plea successful a transgression lawsuit is inactive treated the aforesaid mode arsenic a 'guilty' plea, and you volition inactive beryllium recovered guilty?" Judge Sanderson asked.

Garcia responded, "Yes."

The plea marked the archetypal clip Garcia took work for Sanchez's death.

Investigators accidental Sanchez was riding his motorcycle successful February 2024 erstwhile Garcia crashed into him and fled the scene, aboriginal turning himself in.

The clang happened conscionable feet from Sanchez's Central Fresno home.

Family members were successful the courtroom Thursday arsenic the justice formally took the plea.

"The tribunal volition judge the plea entered by Mr. Garcia," the justice said.

The alteration of plea came conscionable minutes earlier Judge Sanderson was acceptable to perceive from witnesses and reappraisal caller evidence.

Action News learned that the grounds included graphic surveillance video of the clang that prosecutors planned to play publicly.

"It was evident that you were impaired that time from the witnesser statements, but not capable for you to beryllium charged with it," Judge Sanderson said. "You request to sober up successful your head."

"I person to beryllium precise frank with you, sir," she added. "Literally, you're getting distant with it... this idiosyncratic died and you near the scene."

Garcia has been retired connected enslaved and is owed backmost successful tribunal connected June 23 for sentencing. He faces up to 4 years successful authorities prison, and the justice has already said she is not inclined to assistance probation.

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