In a shocking incident that has captured public attention, Nicole Linton, a traveling nurse, is at the center of a legal battle following a catastrophic crash in Windsor Hills. On August 4, 2022, Linton allegedly barreled through an intersection at speeds exceeding 100 mph, resulting in the tragic deaths of five individuals, including a fetus. This incident raises significant questions about mental health, responsibility, and the legal system's approach to such cases.
The evidence presented against Linton includes disturbing online searches made just days before the crash, prompting a deeper investigation into her mental state. As the case unfolds in court, it highlights the complexities of navigating mental health issues within the judicial system and the challenges faced by defense attorneys in such high-stakes situations.
As we delve into the details of this case, we will explore the implications of Linton's mental health history, the legal arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense, and the broader societal issues surrounding mental health awareness and road safety. The outcome of this trial could set important precedents for future cases involving similar circumstances.
Four days before a woman barreled into a busy Windsor Hills intersection at more than 100 mph, causing a deadly, fiery crash, prosecutors say, she searched online using her phone: “Why do I feel like death is near?”
That same day, they say, she also searched, “Can you see your dea[th] coming?”
Those internet searches were part of the evidence presented by prosecutors Friday against Nicole Linton, a traveling nurse charged in the deaths of five people and a fetus after crashing through the intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues on Aug. 4, 2022.
Linton’s mental state, both before and during the crash, plays a central role in her legal proceedings. After a multiday preliminary hearing that began last week, a judge is set to decide whether there is enough evidence of a crime to take the case to trial. The preliminary hearing is set to continue this week.
Linton’s family has said she struggled with bipolar disorder since 2018, and a psychiatrist testified Thursday that Linton had twice been hospitalized on account of mental issues prior to the crash.
However, Caleb Mason — Linton’s defense attorney — argued in court that she might have blacked out moments before the crash, possibly due to a seizure.
Linton’s defense attorneys have also raised questions about when she was taken into police custody and whether statements she made after the crash should be admissible if she had not yet been advised of her Miranda rights.
On Monday, Mason told the court the defense would be filing a motion to suppress data obtained from Linton’s cellphone, including online searches from her phone. Mason argues law enforcement inappropriately obtained the password from Linton after she had requested an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that Linton sped down La Brea Avenue toward the busy intersection of Slauson Avenue just after 1:30 p.m. on the day of the crash.
California Highway Patrol investigator Jeffrey Crain testified that Linton’s Mercedes-Benz reached the intersection
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