BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The defense attorney representing an accused drunken driver facing murder charges in a crash that killed a married couple had the trial date postponed one week, but assured the court he’ll be ready soon.
Paul Brar, the lawyer representing 23-year-old Anabell Correa, said Wednesday he needs more time to obtain expert witnesses to testify on the “alcohol component” of the case and his client’s mental state at the time of the crash.
He said delaying the trial from Aug. 31 to Sept. 16 would provide sufficient time.
Prosecutor Katherynn Deleon objected, saying she’s ready to begin and the trial needs to start soon as she has a witness who will be medically unavailable starting the second week of October.
Judge Tiffany Organ-Bowles postponed the trial one week to Sept. 8. On that date, Brar will provide an update on whether he remains on schedule.
On March 16, 2025, Correa allegedly ran a red light at the the intersection of Coffee Road and Stockdale Highway and hit a rideshare vehicle.
Max Austin Mooney and Desiree Paula Noelle Mooney, both 30, were passengers in the rideshare vehicle. Max Mooney died at the scene, and Desiree Mooney was pronounced dead at Kern Medical.
Correa’s blood alcohol content measured 0.088%, above the legal limit of 0.080%, according to court filings. She’s charged with two counts of second-degree murder, among other offenses.
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