Google yacht death: 'Prostitute' pleads not guilty to executive's manslaughter

SANTA CRUZ: -- A woman described by US police as a high-priced prostitute has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges over the death of a Google executive on his yacht.

Alix Tichelman, 26, is alleged to have injected him with heroin and then left him to die of an overdose.

She appeared in court in California over the 23 November death of Forrest Hayes, 51.

Ms Tichelman is also charged with great bodily harm and a drugs count.

Police say CCTV footage from inside the yacht shows her gathering her belongings, finishing a glass of wine, and tidying up after he died before leaving the yacht.

Mr Hayes was found the next day.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28329747


-- BBC 2014-07-17

Manslaughter???! What a weak prosecutor. I suppose we can't expect much more out of the Santa Cruz County's DA Office. In light of the fact that her previous boyfriend also died from a heroin OD in which she was the injector, I think a case could easily be made for premeditated murder. The prosecutor could always make manslaughter a lesser included charge, to allow conviction if he couldn't prove intent, and could only show reckless disregard for consequences likely to result in death.

I would guess that this will not be an easy case to prove. Injecting illegal heroin is always dangerous, because one never know the strength. It is suspicious that her boyfriend also died, but also somewhat expected when moving in that world.

Only evidence is CCTV footage from inside the yacht that shows her gathering her belongings, finishing a glass of wine, and tidying up after he died? Does not show her making the mortal heroin injection? At best she is a "person of interest" but unless she confesses to making the mortal injection what case does the police have?Police would need at best a witness and at least circumstantial evidence without CCTV footage that she intended to kill the person such as statements to 3rd parties, social media, etc. of intent to murder the executive. A very weak case against her.

I would guess that this will not be an easy case to prove. Injecting illegal heroin is always dangerous, because one never know the strength. It is suspicious that her boyfriend also died, but also somewhat expected when moving in that world.

what world is that? high end hookers and yachts, i doubt we are talking about cheap skag

This makes Donald Sterling look lucky with his Model 'girlfriend' Vanessa Stiviano. Anyone taking drugs accepts the risks, she shouldn't be punished because he was stupid. How much time did John Balushi's friend do ?

Just a thought - did she have anything to gain, financially or otherwise, from this mans death? As a "service" provider it would appear this death has cut off a very good source of income for her.

It looks like she got a gig. The 'John' hit up (whether on his own, or with her assistance). He OD'd. She didn't. She had nothing to gain (did she steal his wallet or anything else?). She split. I hope she gets off with nothing more than a misdemeanor.

I resided in Santa Cruz, but that's beside the point.