Ex-Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist stands up victim’s family in court as he pleads not guilty through his lawyer

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has denied guilty of manslaughter after hitting and killing a pedestrian with his SUV.

The star did not attend court and was able to enter his plea through his lawyer as the charge is a misdemeanor.

Klinghoffer, 44, who played with the band from 2009 to 2019, was driving a black GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California when he made a left turn and encountered 47-year-old Israel Sanchez.

Sanchez’s daughter denounced the indictment’s filing outside Los Angeles Superior Court in Alhambra.

“I miss my dad,” Ashley Sanchez said Rolling stone after the hearing. ‘We are looking for justice here. I don’t know why Josh only gets a misdemeanor. It’s not okay. My dad was a really great dad.”

Klinghoffer’s lawyer Andrew Brettler previously told DailyMail.com that the March incident was a “tragic accident” with the musician “fully cooperating” with an investigation.

But Sanchez’s family is suing the guitarist, claiming he was using his phone at the time of the crash.

The lawsuit alleges that Sánchez was dragged across the asphalt during the collision and suffered blunt force trauma to his head, causing his death hours later.

The lawsuit claims Klinghoffer failed to hit the brakes, while also claiming he was “distracted behind the wheel” because he was allegedly on his phone.

The complaint adds that the family has “video evidence” showing Klinghoffer on his phone moments before the collision.

The video then shows the driver of the SUV stopping after hitting the pedestrian, before walking toward the body, then turning around and walking back toward the vehicle.

He was not in court to face Sanchez’s family, including his daughter Ashley Sanchez, pictured

Sánchez said she is outraged that the crime has been classified as a misdemeanor

Attorney Nick Rowley, who represents Sanchez’s family, previously said in a statement obtained by Variety: ‘Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for murder.

“We have video of him on his cell phone killing Israel Sanchez, a loving father, in a crosswalk.

“Israel Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store to make soup for his family and never came home.

“He was doing everything right, looking for oncoming traffic and obeying pedestrian signs, but tragically, Mr. Klinghoffer, in a hurry and on the phone, fatally struck him from behind with a large SUV.

Klinghoffer’s case is due in court on October 31.

The civil case will be heard on October 18, with Sanchez’s family seeking reimbursement for medical costs and damages for pain and suffering.

Klinghoffer was able to enter his plea through his attorney at the Los Angeles Superior Court in Alhambra, as it is a misdemeanor

Klinghoffer is pictured with Red Hot Chili Peppers members Chad Smith, Flea and Anthony Kiedis in 2014

Klinghoffer replaced John Frusciante in the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 and recorded two studio albums, I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), and the B-sides compilation I’m Beside You (2013).

At the age of 32, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, making him the youngest inductee at the time.

After being expelled from the group in 2019 following Frusciante’s return, he became a touring and session member of both Pearl Jam (since 2021) and Jane’s Addiction (2023).

In one GoFundMeAshley told her father, “Israel will always be remembered for its humility and kindness.”

“He always went out of his way to help others, was the life of the party, had a great sense of humor and his smile brightened everyone’s day,” she wrote.

‘He had a great passion for cooking, those who knew him or had ever tasted his food would certainly say he was a great chef.’