Nitrous Oxide Canister Sparks Delay in Malibu Murder Trial of Wealthy Driver

A Malibu millionaire’s son, Fraser Bohm, is accused of killing four Pepperdine University seniors when his BMW careened down the Pacific Coast Highway in October 2023. The case was delayed after prosecutors introduced a theory that a 10-12-pound nitrous-oxide tank, recovered from the vehicle, sat on Bohm’s lap and diverted his attention. Judge Thomas Rubinson heard the argument and set a tentative trial date of December 1, after defense lawyer Alan Jackson asked for three to four weeks to inspect the canister, verify its custody and analyze blood-stained swabs.

Jackson also requested a later start in January 2027, citing other upcoming trials, but the judge questioned the scheduling. Bohm’s team continues to push to drop the murder charges, maintaining the crash was a loss of control. He has been out on $4 million bail since the incident nearly three years ago. The victims—Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams—were senior Alpha Phi sorority members who died at the scene.