Hearing Is Set for Murder Defendant in PCH Crash

• Charge Is Use of Vehicle as Weapon

BY BILL KOENEKER

A defendant charged with the murder of a Malibu teen was in court last week, according to authorities.

Sina Khankhanian, 26, who is charged with one count of murder in the death of Emily Shane, was ordered to appear in court on Oct. 21 for a preliminary hearing.

Khankhanian, who is being held on $3 million bail, was arraigned on the murder charge several months ago.

The felony charge includes a special allegation of using his vehicle as a deadly weapon to commit murder, the District Attorney's office said.

The felony complaint states Khankhanian "unlawfully and with malice aforethought murder[ed] Emily S."

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum prison term of life with the possibility of parole.

Deputies reported the San Fernando Valley man drove his vehicle off the roadway on Pacific Coast Highway east of Heathercliff Road, fatally hitting Shane before he crashed into a power pole and overturned the vehicle.

Shane's death has spawned a public safety movement campaign for Pacific Coast Highway.