Nicole Linton: LA Nurse accused of killing 6 people while driving at 130mph, suffered seizure and 'froze' at the wheel
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nicole Linton, who is accused of crashing through a busy Los Angeles intersection at 130 mph, killing six people, appeared before a judge in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 23. Defense lawyers for Linton, 37, said they intend to introduce a witness who will attest she had a seizure and "froze" at the wheel to explain the tragic accident.
The judge was informed by the defense lawyer, Jacqueline Sparagna, that they intended to call a doctor who specializes in epilepsy and seizures. Sparagna stated, "We are going to put on a defense at the preliminary hearing, which is rare," according to New York Post. Asherey Ryan, who was pregnant, her 11-month-old son Allonzo, and her boyfriend Reynold Lester were among the six individuals that died. Family relatives claimed that the family was en route to a prenatal visit.
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'Nicole wasn't sleeping for days'
Sparagna stated, "Everything that the doctor has reviewed is consistent with her having a seizure. Nicole wasn't sleeping for days and insomnia can cause seizures. People who fall asleep at the wheel go limp, but if they have a seizure, everything tenses up. That is consistent with why her foot was on the pedal," according to New York Post.
Prosecutors stated that Linton allegedly "floored" her car for at least five seconds before accelerating to speeds of 122 to 130 mph and slamming into the intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues on August 4, 2022. They further stated that a psychiatric evaluation of Linton revealed no signs of a seizure. Prosecutors stated in a motion, "This NASCAR-worthy performance flies in the face of the notion that she was unconscious or incapacitated," according to the New York Post.
When will the next hearing in the case take place?
The preliminary hearing for Linton is set for April 17. Sparagna refused to give the identity of the neurologist but claimed that their witness is a "leading expert" on seizures and epilepsy. The attorney further stated that Linton has a history of mental health problems and has previously experienced seizures.
Sparagna stated, "She's being treated for mental health issues in county jail, so the government's own doctors concede this is a mental health case. She simply did not, and could not, commit murder." Linton has entered a not-guilty plea to five counts of vehicular manslaughter and six counts of murder. She is still being held at a county jail without posting a bond.