A former South Bay man on probation for hit and run in the death of an elderly woman faces a murder trial on Nov. 9 for the shooting death of his brother’s neighbor, a judge scheduled on May 14.
Manuula Save, now 21, was placed on probation in 2017 when he was 18 years old for hit and run in the death of Aurora Garcia de Become, 80, of Chula Vista. He was sentenced to 161 days in jail, according to court records.
The most recent case involves an argument Save was having with his brother on Aug. 17, 2019 in Poway. Save reportedly grabbed a gun and fired a shot into the wall to show his brother he was not afraid of him, according to testimony.
The bullet traveled through the wall and mortally wounded Michael Walker, 38, in the middle of the night. Walker’s wife took him to the hospital, where he died around 2:45 a.m.
On May 14, Save appeared on a video screen before San Diego Superior Court Judge Peter Deddeh. Attorneys appeared remotely and audio from the hearing was carried live on the YouTube Channel because the courts have been mostly closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Save was ordered to stand trial Feb. 27 at the end of his preliminary hearing on charges of murder, shooting inside an inhabited dwelling, assault with a deadly weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Save’s attorney, Andrea Mangarin, argued that more than 45 days had passed since his last court appearance and that he should have been in court sooner. She objected to the May 14 hearing, saying it was not timely.
Deputy District Attorney Kristie Nikoletich said her office could not file amended information against Save since the courts closed March 17 under a declaration of a state of emergency. She noted the closure was a general order from the presiding judge.
Deddeh overruled the defense objection and cited good cause for the delay since the courts have been closed. The nearly two months of closed courtrooms have been declared legal holidays.
Save pleaded not guilty to all charges. Save appeared on video from a room at the George Bailey Detention Facility where he is being held on $3 million bail.
A reporter and 13 other listeners heard the court proceedings on the YouTube Channel though there was no video.
Save was backing his brother’s car out of a Chula Vista driveway on April 30, 2017 when he struck De Become who was walking on the sidewalk as she crossed the driveway. He then fled. He pleaded guilty to hit and run causing death and was placed on three years probation after serving 161 days in jail.
He is barred from possessing a firearm that he allegedly fired into the wall of his brother’s apartment. He could face decades in prison if he is convicted of murder.
