Emily Shane Murder Trial Starts Today

Nearly two years after Malibu eighth-grader was struck and killed by a vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway, the man charged with murdering her will have his day in court. The trial of Sina Khankhanian begins today at the Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles. It is expected to last at least two weeks.

Khankhanian, 28, is charged with second-degree murder. If convicted, he would be sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison. 

Emily was killed April 3, 2010 when Khankhanian's vehicle struck her while she stood on the shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway near the Heathercliff Road intersection. Prosecutors allege the incident was a suicide attempt by Khankhanian that followed 17 miles of reckless driving on the highway.

Defense attorney Bradley Brunon says his client lost control of the car and did not intend to kill the girl. He has said numerous times that Khankhanian should be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. .

Prosecutors offered  late last month for Khankhanian to be sentenced to 15 years in prison. He would be required to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence, and with his being in custody nearly two years since Emily's death, he could be free in a little under 11 years. Brunon countered with an offer for an 11-year sentence that could have his client going free in about seven years. No deal was made.

Since Emily's death, her parents Michel and Ellen have created the Emily Shane Foundation in her memory. The nonprofit encourages people to do good deeds and write about them on the website. Last week, the declared Feb. 14 "Pass It Forward Day" in honor of Emily. People are encouraged to go out of their way to do a good deed on that day.

The foundation is also funding a program at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District called , which provides tutoring to students who have learning or processing issues. The initial plan for SEA is to target middle school students who struggle academically and risk failure due to a lack of funds and access.

Her death has also led to a higher awareness about public safety issues in Malibu. The organization A Safer PCH was formed to lobby the city, state and various agencies for increased safety measures on Malibu's main highway and other local and area roads.

The trial will take place in Department D on the eighth floor of the courthouse on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is open to the public.