Pumar Looks Shocked at Guilty Verdict in Vehicular Manslaughter Case

Updated with correction Saturday, Sept. 14. The female described as Pumar's sister was misidentified. She's his girlfriend.

After a little more than three hours of deliberation, a jury found Matthew Nando Pumar guilty of a felony.

Pumar, 22, had been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter in the death of 50-year-old William Ware on June 21, 2012 in Mountain View.


When the jury read the verdict Pumar's mouth dropped and he looked back at his family in shock. This was the first display of emotion he showed all trial. His sister and mother cover their gasps, and an expressionless father comforted them both.


"We are very disappointed," Defense Counsel Dennis Smith told reporters outside the courthouse. "We thought we put on a strong case, but it wasn't what the jury wanted to hear."

"Matt will get through this and hopefully he'll learn a lesson," Smith said.

None of the jurors had comments for the press.

Outside of the courtroom, District Attorney Duffy Magilligan appeared emotional and was overhead telling the Ware family, "it's a little piece of justice."

Jim Ware, the brother of the deceased told reporters that "it's a horrible thing for both families."

He said that perhaps some good would come out of this, like perhaps the City of Mountain View will continue to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

In the meanwhile, the Ware family will learn more about sentencing as they prepare to return to the North Santa Clara County courthouse on Oct. 21 for the sentencing hearing.

"We got justice for Bill," he said, but "we aren't looking for revenge."

Pumar will not be taken into custody until after the hearing.