Retrial to Get Underway in Shane Case

A new trial in the case of a man accused in the death of 13-year-old Malibu resident Emily Shane is expected to begin this week.

Sina Khankhanian is accused of killing Emily in April 2010 when his vehicle struck her while she stood on the shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway near the Heathercliff Road intersection. During the first trial, several witnesses testified that Khankhanian was seen driving erratically for a 17-mile stretch down Topanga Canyon Boulevard and up PCH.

Khankhanian from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in February that included an 11-year prison sentence. A jury in January was unable to reach a verdict after an eight-day trial.

The new trial could begin as early as Wednesday at the Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles. Jury selection began last week.

He has been charged with second-degree murder. If convicted, Khankhanian would face a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Defense attorney, Bradley Brunon, has said his client, could not appreciate that his actions created a risk of death for himself and others.

Emily's father Michel wrote in an email to Malibu Patch that he and Emily's mother Ellen are preparing to live through their daughter's murder "for a third time, once on PCH and now twice in the court of law."

He added that he hopes the jury will see the truth in the case.

"Nothing will bring real justice as Emily is forever gone as a member of our family and this community. We can only hope that this killer will get his just desserts when the time comes," Michel said.

Check back this week for more on this story as the trial gets underway.