Juliette Acosta murder case preliminary hearing wraps up. Here's what to know

A Stanislaus County judge soon will decide whether Juliette Acosta must stand trial for murder in the drunk-driving death of her 4-year-old daughter. The preliminary hearing featured emotional testimony, body-camera footage and sharp disputes over the evidence.

Original reporting by Dean J. Condoleo:

Emotional testimony, jail phone call played in Oakdale mother’s murder hearing

Acosta case prosecutors, defense spar over whether evidence supports murder charge

Here are key takeaways:

• Acosta, 27, is charged with second-degree murder in the March 8, 2025, death of her daughter, Reagan Herrin, who died after Acosta allegedly drove drunk and crashed into an irrigation canal near Hickman. Prosecutors seek to hold her to answer on all charges.
• A criminalist testified that Acosta’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.169% about three hours after the crash, with retrograde extrapolation suggesting it could have been around 0.229% — almost three times higher than the legal limit — near the time of the crash.
• Prosecutors played a recorded jail call in which Acosta’s father told her Reagan had died, saying “You f—ing killed her.” On the call Acosta can be heard crying and repeatedly apologizing. The playing of the call drew emotional reactions throughout the courtroom.
• Defense attorney Gil Somera argued the case does not meet the legal standard of implied malice required for second-degree murder, noting Acosta had no prior DUI convictions or court-mandated classes.
• Judge Valli Israels is expected to decide after arguments May 29 whether prosecutors presented enough evidence for Acosta to stand trial.