Boxer Garcia charged with cocaine possession night of deadly crash

ABC-7 has learned police charged Joel Garcia, the man accused of driving drunk Christmas Eve and killing three people, with cocaine possession the night of the crash.

It appeared to come as a surprise to many in the courtroom, when Judge Gonzalo Garcia indicated that in addition to three counts of manslaughter, the 24-year-old Garcia was also charged with possession of cocaine.

Garcia faced family members of his three victims as he came into the courtroom. First, Judge Garcia reiterated last week’s rulings to not allow a blood sample to be admitted since it was obtained without a warrant and to throw out part of Garcia’s confession — where he allegedly admitted having five beers and two shots prior to the wreck — because he was read his Miranda rights after he gave it to police.

Judge Garcia then brought up the cocaine charge.

When he asked where it was found, the state’s attorney indicated “it was found in his wallet by a booking cashier while counting his money as he was being booked.”

In the courtroom was Grace Talamantes, whose daughter was killed by a DWI driver in 2007. She told ABC-7 she’s providing support for the families of the victims.

“It’s frustrating just to hear (evidence being thrown out),” Talamantes said. “(The families) are not happy and I don’t blame them. I mean we need all this information to be able to help their case.”

Judge Garcia said the trial is set to begin August 28.