Dear Friends and Supporters,

Thank you to all 1889 of you who signed our petition for justice for my mother, Juanmin Liao. Your support has meant more to us than words can express during the darkest time of our lives. 

After nearly four years of delays, the defendant was finally convicted in October 2023 of vehicular manslaughter for the reckless actions that killed my mother.

His sentence:

• 1 year probation
• 30 days in county jail
• 360 hours community service
• restitution to our family for economic losses including funeral costs

Many felt this was already too lenient for taking a life recklessly. We accepted it because we had no choice, and we hoped that the defendant would at least complete his obligations, take responsibility, and pay the restitution he owed.

But that's not what happened.

The defendant has fought accountability at every turn. This pattern began long before his conviction, he filed diversion motions twice, trying to escape taking responsibility for what he did. Each delay, each legal maneuver, felt like another insult to my mother's memory and another reopening of our family's wounds. 

After his conviction, as soon as his probation ended in January 2025, the very moment the threat of consequences was lifted, he immediately appealed the restitution order. He hired private counsel to fight the very compensation the court had determined we deserved for my mother's death.

He lost that appeal just two months ago, in August 2025, when the court affirmed that he owes our family every dollar of that restitution.

Just six weeks after losing his appeal to avoid paying us, the defendant filed a petition to dismiss his conviction. The timing speaks volumes about his priorities. 

His probation ended only nine months ago, and that is not enough time to demonstrate genuine accountability for six years of our family's suffering. An unpaid restitution balance is not full accountability. A pattern of fighting consequences at every turn is not genuine remorse.

My mother's life was worth more than this rush to move on. Mr. Pineda has spent more time fighting his obligations than fulfilling them. Dismissal should be earned through sustained transformation, not granted as a reward for outlasting the victim's family in court.

There is a hearing scheduled for November 19, 2025, when the judge will decide whether to grant this dismissal.

We need your support:

• Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers
• Please share this update so others know what's happening
• Leave a comment of support, we read every one and they sustain us

Thank you for standing with us and for believing that one person's life matters enough to fight for. My mother's memory lives on in each of you who refuse to forget her.

With gratitude and determination,

Ryan

 

Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma

Case: SCR-740351-1