Jury Convicts Nurse of Murder in 2022 South L.A. Crash That Killed Six

Key points

• Linton was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder for the August 4, 2022, crash at the intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues in the Windsor Hills neighborhood.
• The crash, which involved nine vehicles, killed six people: Nathesia Lewis, Lynette Noble, Asherey Ryan, her 11-month-old son Alonzo Quintero, her boyfriend Reynold Lester, and Ryan's unborn child, Armani Lester.
• Prosecutors argued Linton was furious after a conflict with coworkers at Kaiser Permanente and drove at 131 mph while off her bipolar medication, using 'implied malice' to prove murder without intent to kill.
• The defense argued Linton suffered a seizure and lost control of her Mercedes, but jurors deliberated for only three hours before returning a guilty verdict.
• Linton faces a sentencing hearing on December 1, where she could be sentenced to 90 years to life in prison.

Background

This case stems from a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision in August 2022 that drew significant attention due to the high speed and the number of fatalities, including a pregnant woman and an infant. The trial focused heavily on Linton's mental state and whether her actions were a preventable act of rage or a medical emergency. The verdict concludes a legal battle that pitted a seizure defense against evidence of prior reckless driving and bipolar disorder.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News emphasized the prosecution's argument that Linton consciously channeled her anger into her driving, noting her failure to take medication and prior violent incidents. Fox 11 Los Angeles highlighted the technical evidence, such as the 25 impact areas and the fact that Linton steered with precision, which prosecutors used to argue she was conscious. All sources agreed that the defense's seizure claim was central to the trial but rejected by the jury. The Daily News noted that Linton's sister testified to unusual behavior before the crash, while the LA Times highlighted the emotional reaction of victims' families to the verdict.

Why it matters

The conviction underscores the legal standard for 'implied malice' in murder cases, where intent to kill is not required if the defendant knowingly engages in an act that is inherently dangerous to human life. It also highlights the role of mental health and medication adherence in criminal liability, as well as the public's demand for accountability in high-speed, high-casualty crashes.

What to watch

Linton will face a sentencing hearing on December 1, where she could be sentenced to 90 years to life in prison. Her defense attorney, Jovan Blacknell, has not yet commented on the verdict, and it is unclear if he will appeal.