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Jury convicts Arroyo Grande woman of manslaughter, deadlocked on murder charge

December 12, 2020

Chelsea Stiles

A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court jury found an Arroyo Grande woman guilty of nine charges including manslaughter, but was deadlocked on a murder charge.

Chelsea Stiles drove while under the influence of cocaine causing a crash on Highway 227 last December that killed Terry Tilton, 72, of San Luis Obispo. Stiles’ 18-month old daughter and two dogs were also in her vehicle at the time of the collisions.

Because of a previous DUI conviction, Stiles was eligible for a murder conviction. On the charge of murder, which requires a unanimous verdict, the jury’s decision was split 11-1 in favor of guilt.

The jury convicted Stiles of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of a drug causing death, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon using an automobile; leaving the scene of a vehicle collision causing injury, child abuse and misdemeanor possession of cocaine.

“Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is deadly serious as this case tragically illustrates,” said Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth. “Ms. Stile’s decision to drive in her condition endangered not only her infant daughter within her vehicle, but every other driver on the roadway that evening. Our community is thankful for the jury’s tireless effort and attention in this nearly two-month-long trial, particularly in light of the COVID-19 safety precautions.”

Stiles faces a maximum sentence of over 14 years in state prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 3.


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Not removing any blame from Chelsea …but her babies daddy is the one who got her strung out on Cocaine which turned into his way of controlling her which proceeded into a alternative way of getting custody rights to their child as to avoid child support by feeding on the drug addiction he induced into the situation .Unfortunatley its a very common thing happening to young mothers these days .I would like to know where was her cocaine obtained from on the day of this tragic occurrence ,did babies daddy supply it ? and was the cocaine laced with a halucnagenic or similar substance LSD is not testable …Lacing of illegal drugs also very common these days to obtain users unwanted reactions or death


-7

Wow, you say “not removing any blame” but then proceed to bring up a bunch of irrelevant hearsay to try to do exactly that! The blame lies 100% totally and completely with Stiles and her horrible evil decision to intentionally swerve into oncoming traffic and take the life of an innocent victim. Was she forced to take cocaine? Did someone put a gun to her head and make her get behind the wheel? Nope! Plenty of people have problems in their life, but actions have consequences and its high time people stop blaming others for the reckless evil they inflict on society.


3

As a dude with a bundle of granddaughters, this just depresses me. No matter how hard the world is, don’t F up and use drugs. Man, I am bummed.


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