A DUI driver who intentionally struck and killed a 13-year-old girl while she was walking on the Pacific Coast Highway in 2010 could soon be released from prison.
The victim’s parents found out on Friday that Governor Newsom rejected their appeal for the early release of their daughter’s killer, 41-year-old Sina Khankhanian.
Now, Ellen and Michel Shane are speaking out – seeking justice for their late daughter, Emily Shane.
“She did not have a mean bone in her body,” Ellen told KTLA’s Angeli Kakade on Monday, recounting her daughter’s memory. “To serve a minimum for a heinous crime like that, in my opinion, is really not justice.”
After a two-year trial, Khankhanian was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the crash – but the couple said he was eligible for parole after just 12.
Since then, the family has been focused on keeping Emily’s memory alive through the Emily Shane Foundation, and they’ve also been trying to keep the man who took her life behind bars.
“He killed our daughter because he was in a state of utter anger beyond control,” said Ellen. “To drive the way he did for 17 miles like a maniac to aim a car and kill a young kid.”
Michel, Emily’s father, said he’s not convinced Khankhanian is ready to be released.
“He will once again fall off the rails, and I just hope he doesn’t kill a child,” said Michel.
Documents from Governor Newsom’s office show Khankhanian was granted parole in 2023.
It was reversed later in 2023, but then was approved in October 2024 – meaning his release could be months away.
The Shane family told KTLA that Emily’s memory will live on through their work with the foundation, and if and when Khankhanian is released, they’re going to forget about him.
