Plea Deal on the Table for Malibu Councilman Skylar Peak

The attorney for Malibu Councilman Skylar Peak told a judge Wednesday that he wants a few weeks to review a plea deal and evidence in his client's hit-and-run and reckless driving case.

Michael Shultz, a Malibu-based attorney who has known the Peak family for years, entered a not guilty plea Wednesday on behalf of Peak, who faces charges of hit-and-run driving, reckless driving and vandalism causing more than $400 in damages.

Peak was not present in court for the hearing, which is common for misdemeanor cases. A pretrial hearing was set for April 24 at the Malibu Courthouse, which is slated to close on May 31 due to budget cuts.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has offered a plea deal in the case. Prosecutors handed over two CDs with 911 calls related to the case. They plan to also share photos of Peak's truck and other damage.

Shultz acknowledged the deal in court, but told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lawrence J. Mira he was not ready to make a decision.

"There are some evidentiary issues I need to look at," Shultz said.

Shultz said outside of court he preferred not to disclose the details of the deal.

Peak is accused of leaving the scene on Christmas Day after driving erratically and plowing through 400 feet of delineators, which are three-foot-tall reflectors that separate eastbound from westbound traffic on PCH, damaging the front of the truck.

Last year, the D.A.'s Office opted to not file charges against Peak stemming from an investigation into his alleged behavior at a Malibu shopping center. The investigation began on July 11 following allegations that Peak, wearing a Speedo swimsuit, threatened security guards at the Point Dume Village with part of a pair of scissors.

Peak, who said afterwards he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was checked into a county hospital and underwent a psychological evaluation. 

Due to the investigation, the Malibu City Council voted against appointing Peak as mayor pro tem even though he was the top vote getter in April's election. Instead, Joan House was appointed to the position.

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