SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 12 (UPI) -- A Santa Barbara jury found the 20-year-old son of a notable television director guilty Wednesday of four counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of four pedestrians he ran down near a college campus.
David Attias, son of director Daniel Attias, faces a possible life sentence once a sentencing hearing that begins Thursday is completed.
The younger Attias was arrested Feb. 23, 2001 after his car struck nine parked cars and then plowed into a group of students walking along one of the crowded, narrow streets in Isla Vista, a popular residential area for students from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
It took several students and police officers to restrain Attias, who was shouting incoherently and trying to fist fight with spectators after the horrific crash.
Attias was acquitted of driving under the influence to cause great bodily harm, but his lawyer had argued to the jury that the youth had a history of mental problems and had suffered a mental breakdown that made him unaware of his actions despite being able to drive.
Attias' father has a long career as a director. His credits include popular episodes of such programs as "The Sopranos," "Melrose Place," "Ally McBeal," and "The Practice."
