Josh Klinghoffer avoids prison for road murder

No prison for Josh Klinghoffer: the former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and current member on tour of the Pearl Jam, avoided a possible sentence after reaching a plea bargain agreement in the case of road murder against him, opened last year. Klinghoffer showed up in court in Alhambra, California, where he presented a plea bargain with a “no contest” formula (no opposition). This type of declaration entails acceptance of the sentence without officially admitting the fault. The artist will have to carry out 60 hours of social services, a year of supervised freedom and attend a road safety course.

The case dates back to March 2024, when a car led by Josh Klinghoffer invested a 47 -year -old pedestrian, Israel Sanchez, who then died due to the injuries sustained.

At the time of the incrimination of Klinghoffer, the lawyer of the Sanchez family, Nick Rowley, had declared that he was in possession of “a video that shows him on his cell phone when he hit and killed Israel Sanchez”. During the hearing, the public prosecutor warned the guitarist on his future conduct, affirming: “If you continue to drive absently and someone should die because of your guide, you could be accused of murder”.

Klinghoffer played the guitar in the Red Hot Chili Peppers for 12 years, participating in the albums “I’m with you” of 2011 and “The Getaway” of 2016. After the return of John Frusciante in the band, Klinghoffer collaborated with Iggy Pop, the Redd Kross, and Pearl Jam, as well as figuring in the collaborative album “Who Believes in Angels? by Elton John and Brandi Carlile.