Nov 4, 2009 8:36 pm US/Pacific
D.A. Won't File Charge In Hit-And-Run Death
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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Police say two men were arguing before one of them got into a car and deliberately hit the other, dragging him for a half mile.
CBS
The District Attorney's office Wednesday announced they were not going to press charges against a Norwalk resident for the hit and run dragging death of a bar patron he had reportedly gotten into a fight with.
Citing insufficient evidence and suggesting the incident could have been a self defense matter, the D.A. announced that they would not seek charges against Alexander Kellen Copeland.
In a charge evaluation worksheet, the D.A. said they were "unable" to prove that Copeland's action were not in self defense and were not in attempting to avoid being victimized in a felony."
Copeland, 23, was reportedly fleeing from the Shuttle Inn. Allan William Larios, the man Copeland fatally ran over, and his buddies allegedly instigated a fight. The D.A. said Larios and his companions used lethal force to try to drag Copeland out of his car.
Larios, specifically according to the worksheet, attempted to pull Copeland out of his car about 12:30 Monday. They say he got caught under the moving car in the process resulting in his subsequent injuries and death.
Larios, 35, of Buena Park was dragged by Copeland's car several hundred yards. Police originally believed Copeland intentionally ran Larios over.
Copeland fled the scene but surrendered to authorities about 18 hours later, according to officials.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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