A suspected drunk driver, accused of killing a young boy, made his first appearance in a Fresno County courtroom on Thursday.
Loren LeBeau is charged with killing 7-year-old Donovan Maldonado. Fresno police say he was drinking and driving when he struck several members of the Maldonado family in a crosswalk two weeks ago.
LeBeau was supposed to be arraigned on four felony charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter but the judge delayed the arraignment.
The focus inside the courtroom on Thursday was on LeBeau's bail amount. The morning after the accident, LeBeau posted bail and was released from the Fresno County Jail.
The original bail was set at $256,000 but on Wednesday, the Fresno County District Attorney officially filed four felony charges and on Thursday, the prosecuting attorney wanted the bail amount increased to over $1.1 million. If the judge agreed, LeBeau would have been sent back to jail.
Defense Attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt argued his client is not a risk to the public because he's wearing a device that monitors alcohol consumption.
The judge decided not to raise his bail amount.
Attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt said, "The judge followed the law on the issues for bail, which are flight and safety to the public and both of those issues are adequately addressed."
LeBeau will be back in court August 16th to answer to the four felony charges.
CBS47's legal analyst says, if convicted, LeBeau could face up to 16 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Jesse Maldonado and his 18-month-old daughter, Bella, are still recovering in the hospital with injuries suffered in the accident.
