thedrifter
06-30-09, 07:44 AM
Former Camp Pendleton Marine ordered by judge to do weekend jail program
Staff Writer
Monday, June 29th, 2009.
Issue 27, Volume 13.
MURRIETA - A former Camp Pendleton Marine who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in connection with the death of a motorcyclist must report to the county jail weekend program in three weeks, a judge ordered today.
Brian Andrew Thorton, 22, had his felony reduced to a misdemeanor and was sent to jail for 45 days, though he was released on probation within 30 days.
Thornton now must work at a camp every weekend for six months, beginning July 16, Riverside Superior Court Judge Mark Mandio ordered.
Thorton was driving west on Lakeshore Drive in lake Elsinore on Aug. 22, 2006, when his pickup truck crossed the centerline and slammed into a Yamaha motorcycle, killing 36-year-old William Steinbach.
Investigators said Thorton was speeding but alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
Mandio on May 15 reduced the felony to a misdemeanor in order to allow Thorton to serve again in the armed forces, though not the Marines, which will not allow him to reenlist.
By June 15, Thorton was out of custody, having been released on probation from jail.
Today he was told to report to the sheriff's work program and was allowed to leave court on probation.
Prosecutor Blaine Hopp has steadfastly opposed the reduction from felony to misdemeanor, stating that if Thorton wanted to change his life, he should have gotten a job while awaiting disposition of his case.
He has not worked since being separated from the Marines upon his arrest and prosecution, Hopp said.
Ellie
Staff Writer
Monday, June 29th, 2009.
Issue 27, Volume 13.
MURRIETA - A former Camp Pendleton Marine who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in connection with the death of a motorcyclist must report to the county jail weekend program in three weeks, a judge ordered today.
Brian Andrew Thorton, 22, had his felony reduced to a misdemeanor and was sent to jail for 45 days, though he was released on probation within 30 days.
Thornton now must work at a camp every weekend for six months, beginning July 16, Riverside Superior Court Judge Mark Mandio ordered.
Thorton was driving west on Lakeshore Drive in lake Elsinore on Aug. 22, 2006, when his pickup truck crossed the centerline and slammed into a Yamaha motorcycle, killing 36-year-old William Steinbach.
Investigators said Thorton was speeding but alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
Mandio on May 15 reduced the felony to a misdemeanor in order to allow Thorton to serve again in the armed forces, though not the Marines, which will not allow him to reenlist.
By June 15, Thorton was out of custody, having been released on probation from jail.
Today he was told to report to the sheriff's work program and was allowed to leave court on probation.
Prosecutor Blaine Hopp has steadfastly opposed the reduction from felony to misdemeanor, stating that if Thorton wanted to change his life, he should have gotten a job while awaiting disposition of his case.
He has not worked since being separated from the Marines upon his arrest and prosecution, Hopp said.
Ellie