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Van Nuys

Judge Postpones Nitrous Oxide Hearing in Bohm Case

Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson delayed discussion of a nitrous oxide canister found after a fatal 2023 crash in Van Nuys until Nov. 20.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Criminal Justice

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A Van Nuys judge postponed a pre-trial hearing on a nitrous oxide canister in the Fraser Michael Bohm case until Nov. 20 after the defense attorney could not appear. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A pre-trial discussion involving a nitrous oxide canister found in Fraser Michael Bohm's car after an Oct. 17, 2023 crash was postponed at the Van Nuys Courthouse. Judge Thomas Rubinson moved the matter, along with remaining 402 motions, to Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. after defense attorney Alan Jackson was unable to appear due to an alleged medical situation.

Why it matters

The delay extends the timeline of a case tied to a crash that killed four Pepperdine seniors on Pacific Coast Highway, keeping key evidence questions unresolved. It also reflects how scheduling disruptions can slow proceedings in Van Nuys courts.

Bohm's pre-trial discussion of the nitrous oxide canister and 402 motions is now set for Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Van Nuys Courthouse, after the Nov. 4 hearing was postponed. Defense attorney Alan Jackson did not appear, and an extension request from Blue Line Solutions, subpoenaed by defense attorney Jacqueline Sparagna, remains pending.

The players

Thomas Rubinson

Superior Court judge presiding over the Van Nuys pre-trial proceedings who postponed the nitrous oxide discussion.

Fraser Michael Bohm

The defendant whose case involves a nitrous oxide canister found in his car after the October 2023 crash.

Alan Jackson

Defense attorney for Bohm who was unable to attend the Nov. 4 hearing due to an alleged medical situation.

Jacqueline Sparagna

Associate defense attorney who attended the hearing and subpoenaed Blue Line Solutions.

Blue Line Solutions

A public safety company that requested an extension after being subpoenaed by the defense.

The details

At the Nov. 4 hearing, Bohm and Jackson were absent, and associate attorney Jacqueline Sparagna attended on behalf of the defense. Sparagna said Jackson was not in surgery but was 'just in a cast,' and she recently subpoenaed Blue Line Solutions, a public safety company, which requested an extension.

Timeline

  1. Oct. 17, 2023: Crash on Pacific Coast Highway in which a nitrous oxide canister was later found in Bohm's car.

  2. Sept. 2: Earlier pre-trial hearing at the Van Nuys Courthouse.

  3. Nov. 4: Pre-trial hearing where Bohm and Jackson did not appear and the discussion was postponed.

  4. Nov. 20 at 9 a.m.: Rescheduled discussion of the nitrous oxide tank and remaining 402 motions.

Legal Context

Pre-trial continuances in Los Angeles County Superior Court, including those at the Van Nuys Courthouse, commonly occur when defense counsel is unavailable and push evidence hearings back by weeks. The Bohm case follows this procedural pattern, with the nitrous oxide evidence issue deferred to a later date.

Residents who travel Pacific Coast Highway may be interested in how the case proceeds, as it concerns a crash that killed four Pepperdine students. The delay means families and the public will wait longer for evidence to be addressed in court.

The takeaway

Scheduling delays in criminal cases can extend the wait for evidence rulings, so followers of the Bohm case should track the Nov. 20 hearing for the next concrete update. Court dates can shift, so confirming details with the Van Nuys Courthouse is advisable.

What happens next

The discussion of the nitrous oxide canister and 402 motions is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Van Nuys Courthouse.

Further reading

Explore more on Criminal Justice coverage from the Van Nuys courts.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Pepperdine Graphic.