Accused Murderer's Lawyer to 'Discuss Issues' With D.A. Official

The lawyer for Sina Khankhanian, who is charged with murder in the 2010 death of Malibu eighth-grader , said Thursday that he would meet next week about the case with a high-level official in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office whose name he declined to reveal.

Bradley Brunon told Malibu Patch he would not characterize the meeting as a plea negotiation, but rather as a chance to "discuss issues" involved in the case. However, he said it is possible a deal could be reached.

"Reasonable people can come to agreements," said Brunon, but he said it appears the case would go to trial.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Jan. 9, with the trial starting later in the week, possibly the next day.

Brunon said he will meet with the official rather than the case's lead prosecutor, Marna Miller, because he did not believe talking with Miller was useful. While Brunon says Emily's death was a case of gross vehicular manslaughter, Miller has said second-degree murder is the only appropriate charge.

"She has been intransigent," Brunon said.

Both lawyers and Khankhanian appeared before Judge Katherine Mader at the Airport Courthouse on Thursday. Miller told Mader she spoke with Brunon in the fall, and told him that a deal must include at least 15 years in prison for Khankhanian. Brunon said he would not recommend his client take a deal that sent him to prison for more than 11 years.

"I think even 11 years would be too much," Brunon told Malibu Patch outside the courtroom. "The state legislature has determined that the maximum sentence for gross vehicular manslaughter is 10 years. That's what this case is. This is not a murder case."

Emily was killed April 3, 2010 while standing on the westbound shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway near Heathercliff Road when she was struck by Khankhanian's vehicle in what prosecutor's allege was a suicide attempt that followed 17 miles of reckless driving on the highway. Brunon says his client lost control of the vehicle and did not intend to kill Emily.