Petition to recuse DA’s Office from fatal joy ride case denied
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County judge on Tuesday denied a petition seeking to recuse the District Attorney’s Office from the case of a woman charged after her unlicensed son crashed her Dodge Challenger, killing a passenger.
Last year, Candie Springer allowed her then-15-year-old son to take the car for what she thought would be a quick trip to the market. Instead, Jace Springer picked up friends, sped on city streets and led police on a chase that ended with the Dodge crashing into a tree.
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Candie Springer faces a felony count of child cruelty and misdemeanor count of allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle.
Her attorney, David A. Torres, argued the DA’s Office should be recused because of a relationship one of its employees has with the defendant.
The DA’s Office refused to remove itself, and the state Office of the Attorney General backed the decision, finding the mere appearance of impropriety was not a valid reason for recusal.
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In denying Torres’ petition, Judge David Wolf said the DA’s Office had effectively “walled off” the employee in question, keeping them from any role in the case.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month.
Jace Springer accepted a plea agreement in juvenile court last year and was ordered to complete 200 hours in a juvenile work program and follow probation terms. The plea resulted in convictions on charges including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
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