In a barely audible voice Marguerite Vuong, a 28-year employee of the Pacific Palisades post office, pleaded “no contest” on Friday, Feb. 6 in the hit-and-run that killed 23-year-old Palisadian David Pregerson.
In Judge Kathryn Solorzano’s courtroom at the Airport Courthouse, Vuong admitted to one count of felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Vuong’s husband Michael Vuong pleaded “no contest” to one count of felony accessory to hit-and-run causing death.
“I accept the pleas and find you both guilty,” Judge Solorzano said.
A no contest plea is viewed as a guilty plea by the court.
Marguerite faces a maximum penalty of four years in state prison; Michael could get up to three years in county jail.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Friday, March 6.
After the plea, David Pregerson’s father federal judge Dean Pregerson told the Palisadian-Post, “I think it’s just one of those days that are filled with sadness but also great satisfaction knowing the perpetrators pled guilty. You never stop being a parent even when your son isn’t with you and we’re doing the best we can. We are thankful to the community, the proscecutor, LAPD and the Palisadian-Post for helping us get to this day.”
David Murphy, the attorney for Marguerite Vuong, told the Post his client is “very pleased things are wrapping up and to have this process be over.”
Pregerson, a budding filmmaker, was struck by a car while walking on Chautauqua Blvd. in Pacific Palisades around 3 a.m. on Dec. 27, 2013 and later succumbed to his injuries.
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