By Angela Lau and J. Harry Jones

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
December 21, 2007

VISTA CA – A 24-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and killing two North County couples in a crash on state Route 76 pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance Friday.

Although California Highway Patrol officials said they believe Anthony James Boles was under the influence of methamphetamine and alcohol at the time of the crash Dec. 14, he has not yet been charged with any crimes related to it because it is still being investigated, Deputy District Attorney Brenda Daly said.

The hearing in Vista Superior Court dealt only with a drug-possession charge stemming from methamphetamine that investigators said was found in Boles’ sock after the collision.

Because Boles is being held without bail on a probation violation, authorities said, there is time to wait until the crash investigation is finished before any additional charges are filed.

Friday, Boles, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 295 pounds, hobbled into the courtroom in a blue San Diego jail top and pants, his left hand bandaged and his long hair tied in a pony tail. He broke his leg in the crash.

His attorney, Dana Grimes, appearing on behalf of her father, Bob Grimes, a noted criminal defense lawyer, entered a not guilty plea.

He will return to court Jan. 11, when the judge will determine whether the prosecution and defense are ready for a preliminary hearing Feb. 11 to decide if enough evidence exists for the case to go to trial.

Boles lives in Palm Springs but is a member of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pala Chairman Robert Smith said Friday. He often visits his mother, who lives near the Pala casino.

Smith declined to discuss the legal case, but said the crash was “unfortunate.” “Our hearts go out to the families and victims,” he said.

As a member of the tribe, Boles receives payments of casino profits. The law firm he has hired often represents wealthy criminal defendants.

Boles’ mother and other members of his family attended the brief arraignment Friday. They declined to comment afterward.

Shortly before midnight Dec. 14, a GMC Yukon in which Boles was riding hit a guardrail and crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting the victims’ Toyota Camry head-on, investigators said.

Killed were Jesus De Santiago, 45, and Lina De Santiago, 46, of Escondido and Rubi Baez, 46, and Luis Baez, 51, of Vista.

Boles was found outside the SUV, his leg broken. He was on probation and driving without a license.

Boles’ female passenger, Deanna Fridley, also was injured. She was in fair condition Friday at Palomar Medical Center. Boles is being held in a medical unit at the downtown San Diego jail.

Boles repeatedly told rescuers at the scene that he was not driving. The CHP says its investigation suggests otherwise.

A CHP spokesman said investigators have videotapes showing Boles drinking at the casino shortly before the crash. The spokesman would not, however, confirm a report that investigators also have a tape showing Boles getting in the driver’s seat of the Yukon.

Boles has a long criminal history, Riverside County Superior Court records show, including at least one DUI conviction and other drug-related convictions. Late last year, he was ordered to have an alcohol-detection system installed on his truck, a GMC Sierra, which requires him to breathe into a sensor before starting it.

Because of the prior DUI, it is possible that the District Attorney’s Office may choose to pursue murder charges, as it has done in other recent cases, rather than less severe vehicular manslaughter charges.

Such charges could lead to an interesting trial at which prosecutors would likely argue that Boles knew there was a good chance he would kill someone if he drove while intoxicated because he has been taught in court-ordered classes about the dangers of impaired driving.

The defense could argue that Boles didn’t intend to kill or harm anyone and that murder charges are unwarranted.

Staff Writer Onell R. Soto contributed to this report.
Angela Lau: (760) 476-8240; angela.lau@uniontrib.com
J. Harry Jones: (760) 737-7579; jharry.jones@uniontrib.com
© Copyright 2007 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. • A Copley Newspaper

Posted on December 21st, 2007 by hunwut
Filed under: News