Hit and Run Suspect to Appear in Court Friday

The man accused of running down and killing a popular Santa Barbara bartender is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning.

The District Attorney will charge Raymond Morua will an additional second degree murder following the death of Mallory Rae Dies. Prosecutors also want him to stay in jail without bail.

Morua was fired from his position as an aide to Congresswoman Lois Capps after the crash. Capps’ staff checked references and performed an interview that did not reveal his prior DUI convictions, a hit and run case in Ventura County or that he was on probation following a grand theft arrest. A spokesperson for Capps said they are not required to do a criminal background check.

Candles now mark the crosswalk where Dies was run down one week ago. Pedestrians and cyclists said the candles serve as a reminder of the dangerous crosswalk on the corner of Anacapa and Haley.

They would like to see an pedestrian signal in the area.