Judge Set Limits in Fraser Michael Bohm Hearing

The court ruled on evidence and behavior during a pre-trial motion for the Malibu crash case.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Crime — General

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a neoclassical column, symbolizing judicial process in Los Angeles. — Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson limited the defense's medical evidence in the upcoming trial of Fraser Michael Bohm at a hearing Tuesday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson presided over a pre-trial motion hearing for Fraser Michael Bohm at the Van Nuys Courthouse on Oct. 1. The court limited the defense's medical evidence and excluded statistical studies regarding pedestrian survival rates.

Why it matters

The rulings aim to streamline the legal process as the court prepares for a trial that will involve dozens of witnesses. The judge emphasized that evidence must focus on driving behavior rather than post-collision statistics to ensure a fair trial.

Judge Rubinson permitted only one or two pages of medical records and denied the inclusion of three statistical studies. The prosecution has signaled its intent to call 40 witnesses to testify during the trial.

The players

Thomas Rubinson

He is the Superior Court Judge presiding over the pre-trial motion hearings for the case.

Fraser Michael Bohm

He is the defendant currently facing charges related to a 2023 fatal car crash.

The details

Judge Rubinson also warned courtroom attendees to stop inappropriate interactions after reports of verbal threats within the courthouse. The defense was granted permission to refer to the defendant as Mr. Bohm during the upcoming trial proceedings.

June 2018 marks the initial diagnosis of ADHD and anxiety disorders for Bohm.
The fatal car crash occurred in Malibu on Oct. 17, 2023.
Previous motion hearings for the case were held on Sept. 9 and Sept. 15, 2026.
The most recent motion hearing took place at the Van Nuys Courthouse on Oct. 1, 2026.
The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2026.

Legal Context

This hearing follows a series of 402 motion hearings, which are used to determine the admissibility of evidence before a trial begins. Such proceedings are critical in complex cases to prevent the introduction of prejudicial or confusing information to the jury.

Residents and attendees are reminded that the court has implemented strict conduct rules to maintain order following reports of verbal threats. These security measures at the Van Nuys Courthouse are designed to ensure the safety of all participants throughout the trial process.

The takeaway

The court's decision to limit medical and statistical evidence reflects a broader effort to narrow the trial's focus to the specific conduct of the driver. Parties involved in legal proceedings often encounter such procedural rulings as judges work to exclude potentially confusing or redundant data.