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In a courtroom in San Diego, 38-year-old Antonio Alcantar faced charges related to the tragic death of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven. The arraignment on Thursday brought to light the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident involving Alcantar, who is a Navy police officer.
According to reports, Alcantar was apprehended on suspicion of driving under the influence. His vehicle crashed into an accident scene where Officer Craven, 25, had heroically moved two individuals to safety. She had returned to assist 19-year-old DeVeonte Morris, whose car had overturned, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
During the proceedings, Spencer Sharpe, a deputy district attorney, highlighted the severity of Alcantar’s intoxication. “He consumed alcohol until his blood alcohol content was at 0.16 over an hour after the time of driving,” Sharpe detailed, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The prosecution argued that Alcantar’s military police training elevated the charges from manslaughter to murder. “As military police, he had received specific training and had duties that made him particularly aware of the dangers that drinking and driving posed to human life,” Sharpe explained.
In contrast, Alcantar’s defense attorneys emphasized his dedication to serving his country and his previously clean record, suggesting these factors should influence the charges against him. They argued that his service and lack of a criminal history should have been considered more heavily in the legal considerations.
Defense attorneys argue Alcantar’s service to the nation and lack of criminal history should have weighed more in the charging of their defendant.
Alcantar’s defense attorney Dan Greene is asking the public to hold their judgment of Alcantar until all of the evidence is released.
“He’s not a risk to the community, he’s certainly not a risk of flight and that’s not for show, that’s the person he’s always been and that’s the person he continues to be,” Greene said.
Alcantar is being held on $1 million bail and is expected back in court on Dec. 3.
