Metal Anarchy

According to Rolling Stone, Pearl Jam’s touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer (ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers) has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. His lawyer Blair Berk entered the plea during an arraignment hearing that was held at a court in Alhambra, CA earlier today (September 26).

The criminal charge is connected to March 18, 2024 incident in which Klinghoffer allegedly struck and killed 47-year-old Israel Sanchez while he was using a crosswalk. Sanchez’s daughter Ashley previously filed a wrongful death suit against the musician, claiming he was using a cellphone and driving with no plates. However, a source close to the investigation said “there was no phone involved.” It also said “no criminal intent is alleged.” Notably, the lawyer working for Sanchez’s family, Grayson Yoder, disagreed saying there is footage of the musician “holding a phone”:

“If they have exculpatory evidence, it’s never been presented to us. All I can see is what I see on the video. If he says he’s not on his phone, fine. But it’s the middle of the day, he’s coming into an intersection and there are no brake lights on his vehicle, none, not until a man is hit in the crosswalk. I’m skeptical of exculpatory evidence, and I can’t speak to the DA and their charges, but at the end of the day, in broad daylight, he had many, many opportunities for this not to have happened. There’s no other word for it besides negligence. We allege that it’s gross negligence.”

Ashley added:

“We’re seeking justice here. I don’t know why Josh is getting just a misdemeanor. It’s not okay. My father was a very great father.”

For their part, Klinghoffer’s team said the following:

“This was a tragic accident. Josh immediately pulled over, stopped the vehicle, called 911, and waited until police and the ambulance arrived. He is fully cooperating with the traffic investigation.”

Klinghoffer’s criminal case will head back to court on October 31. The civil case will also be heard on October 18.