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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Follow-up: Train crash caused for ex-wife's attention |
| 2005-02-18 |
| EFL A man accused of killing 11 people by parking his truck in a train's path intended to get his estranged wife's attention by causing "a horrific tragedy," not to kill himself as originally thought, police said. Authorities also said Juan Manuel Alvarez told them he had poured gasoline on the SUV before the Metrolink struck it Jan. 26 as it carried commuters to downtown Los Angeles. Police initially believed Alvarez had meant to remain in the truck but then lost his nerve and fled. He and his wife, Carmelita Alvarez, had separated, and she had obtained a restraining order against him, police said. Alvarez, 25, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 11 counts of murder and an arson charge. Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty. Authorities, who had previously released few details about the arson charge, said Thursday that witnesses reported seeing a man park next to the tracks and douse a vehicle with liquid. Sgt. Tom Lorenz, a police spokesman, said Alvarez described pouring gasoline on and inside the vehicle. Police said they asked Alvarez what he thought would happen if a vehicle were left in the path of an oncoming train. "He basically stated that he thought there would be an explosion," said Lt. Jon Perkins, the case's lead detective. Alvarez was ordered jailed without bail pending a March 16 hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to try him. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #4 According to the article, jawa, it was not a suicide attempt. The ass wanted a dramatic incident, with his car exploding on the tracks, but he wanted to be around to reconcile with his wife afterward. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-02-18 9:47:32 PM |
| #3 There are too many contradictions with this story and it's fishy. First, we were told Alvarez was suicidal and slashed his wrists and neck. However, as noted today...no visible marks. Now, we are told he wanted his ex=wife's attention. But if this was a supposedly attention grabbing suicide bid, why the gasoline doused truck left on the tracks absent Alvarez? He admitted he wanted to cause an explosion...this would indicate terrorism. |
| Posted by: jawa 2005-02-18 5:42:53 PM |
| #2 Defense attorney Eric Chase said the police statements were "not only vicious and callous but are a reckless distortion of the facts. If they want to make this case about, as they say, Juan Alvarez's intent to cause a horrific tragedy, I hope they can back it up. Apparently the Glendale police have not seen enough blood and are hungry for more," Chase said in a statement. I love lawyers. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-02-18 3:47:23 PM |
| #1 For the ex-wife? Hell, I figured he did it to impress Jodie Foster. |
| Posted by: Dar 2005-02-18 3:37:37 PM |