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Man Responsible for Metrolink Train Crash Convicted

June 25, 2008

LOS ANGELES – The jury of nine women and three men have convicted Juan Manuel Alvarez for his responsibility in the deadly Metrolink crash three years ago. The 29-year old laborer from Compton was found guilty of 11 counts of first-degree murder, arson and a special circumstance allegation, which made him a candidate for the death penalty.

However, Alvarez’s defense lawyers insisted that the tragedy was an accident and tried to show the court that Alvarez initial intention was to commit suicide. The defense lawyers also demonstrated the defendant’s emotional and mental state, portraying Alvarez as a confused, troubled man who is also a “delusional, methamphetamine addict”.

In his court appearance, Alvarez apologized and asked forgiveness from relatives of the crash victims.

The court proceeding took almost five days of testimony and less than two days for the jury to hand out its verdict on the case.

According to prosecutors, Alvarez doused his Jeep Cherokee with gasoline and parked it on the tracks south of downtown Glendale, causing the southbound Metrolink commuter train to slam into it. As a result, the train was derailed and struck a parked Union Pacific train before it collided with another northbound Metrolink train.

The crash resulted in the death of 11 people and injuries to at least 180 others. The tragic train crash happened on the morning of Jan. 26, 2005.