Justice for Grace and Greg

FACT: The victims' advocate from the District Attorney's office was incredibly supportive and assisted us in considering CalVCB, etc. as resources and possible funding options for direct and derivative victims. 

**Refer right below ‘Provided for Grace and Greg’s daughters’  for more context. 
 

FACT: The victims had the burden of waiting longer than expected for the adult transfer hearing to begin for Morales - it had been postponed for six months at the request of the defense, which switched from a private to a public defender.

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FACT: On June 6, 2024, Judge Etezadi did not allow Grace's sister, Maria Liza who was bedridden with COVID, to participate virtually. This hearing was pivotal as it would determine whether Morales would remain in juvenile court or be moved to adult court.

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Morales​ (public court records):

FACT: The case was a public hearing and was governed by the type of charge. The relevant code is: W&I 676 (c).

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FACT: The sentencing hearing occurred on January 16, 2025, coinciding with Morales' birthday, a fact the court acknowledged.

FACT: Morales’ was permitted by Judge Etezadi to leave the courtroom when one of the victims night terrors played in the courtroom to illustrate immeasurable harm, night terrors he caused. His mother, Susana Salto also chose to vacate the courtroom. 

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FACT: One of the victims families sentencing requests was for Morales to write a sincere letter of apology to Grace & Greg's daughters and any other family members who requested one. This request was denied by defense attorney, Nowack due to a civil lawsuit. In stark contrast, refer to Harrison's FACTS below. 

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FACT: A radar detector box was found in Morales’ bedroom. 
 

FACT: Morales’ parents allowed him to purchase a high horsepower Mercedes, after he drove his dad’s car without a drivers license and it was totaled. 

FACT: He was 73 days from 18 when he fatally struck Greg Ammen, Grace Spiridon, and their twin daughters, who were all in the car at that time. 

​FACT: He was traveling at estimated speeds of over 100 miles per hour when he struck them, in a 35MPH zone on El Camino Real in Redwood City, at the intersection of Finger Avenue on a busy Friday evening on November 4th, 2022 at approximately 8PM. 

FACT: Since he was a minor at the time, an Adult Transfer hearing was set by request of the San Mateo County DA's office, to move him to be charged as an adult. Based on Judge Etazadi's ruling, she decided not to transfer him. 

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FACT: As of January 16th, 2025, only 27 months after that fatal accident, he will spend 90 days in home detention at his parents home. This is the same environment that molded his reckless choice.

FACT: He will not have his drivers license for 3 years (until 23), per Judge Etezadi's sentencing. Still TBD if it's from date of collision or date of sentencing. 

The defense argued the frontal lobe is not fully developed until 25 years of age.

On a side note - someone with a DUI with 8+ points can have their license revoked. Morales has a lengthy list of charges including double vehicular manslaughter.

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FACT: Proposition 57 gives more freedom to the Judge to make rulings than what previously was possible, overriding the DA from being able to perform an adult transfer as they could before. It allows the Judge to use their own discretion, and interpretation of the law, to decide if the transfer is justified.  Experts can be hired by the Defense Counsel (public defender) to attest to this. This is another cost that taxpayers pay for. 

See here for more details: CA Proposition 57​​​

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Harrison​ (facts):

Sentencing hearing is open to the public and takes place on February 25th at 11am at Superior Court in Redwood City.  

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FACT: Harrison has shown remorse by writting a letter of apology to the family and has an active civil lawsuit. In stark contrast refer to Morales’ facts. 

FACT: He will be tried as an adult. He was 23 years of age at the time of the collision.

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FACT: He did not hit Grace and Greg's car, but pled guilty for double vehicular manslaughter, engaging in a speed contest with Morales. 
 

FACT: He was going roughly 80mph

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FACT: He fled the scene the night of November 4th, 2022, and was arrested 17 days later. ​

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Provided by the Deputy District Attorney of Juvie for Morales (just for fall 2024):

The following services are provided for Morales by the taxpayer:

- Various educational programs

- Success Center

- FLY (Fresh Livelines for Youth)

- YMCA

- Therapy (bi-weekly)

- Tutoring 2+ days/ week

- Skyline College: Free admission (not including materials, etc.)

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Provided for Grace and Greg's daughters by the same tax dollars (since November 2024):

The following services are provided for Grace and Greg's daughters by the taxpayer:

-NOTHING

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Victims are left to navigate the aftermath of their trauma without access to essential resources like tutoring and therapy. They must seek these services on their own, often while grappling with shock and grief, and face the added burden of out-of-pocket expenses. CalVCB has limited funds for direct and derivative victims and even when they get compensation they must pay it back from the ongoing wrongful death civil lawsuit which does not include economic loss, etc. Reliance on community support becomes essential, but the process can be frustratingly complex and time-consuming, filled with paperwork and applications.

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In stark contrast, perpetrators receive assistance from the very beginning with seemingly little effort required on their part. The responsibility falls disproportionately on victims, their families, and charitable contributions to secure the help they need. This situation, compounded by the immense pain of their loss, highlights a glaring inequity in the support systems

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Stay tuned for more FACTS, not what the media has sensationalized, or mere opinions.