In a release, the DA's office says it filed one count each of murder, animal cruelty, fleeing a pursuing peace officer's vehicle causing death, second-degree burglary and sale/transport of marijuana against Jyvante West, 26 of Richmond.

The criminal case accuses West of stealing marijuana from a [WLB] warehouse. [DA release text] "When police arrived, the defendant allegedly fled in a vehicle and led police on a chase through various parts of Long Beach. At one point, West is accused of running a red light and striking and killing Jose Hernandez, 32, and his dog, as they walked across the street. West later crashed the vehicle and he was arrested."

The DA's release notes that if convicted as charged, defendant West "faces a possible maximum sentence of life in state prison." The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Brittany Vannoy of the DUI Training and Prosecution Section. A June 12 arraignment in LB's Superior Courthouse has been postponed.

The DA's office confirms to LBREPORT.com that six other men arrested by LBPD on suspicion of burglary at the site of the alleged commercial burglary haven't been charged at this point by the DA's office. They posted bond and have been released with a hearing pending.

As detailed in previous coverage by LBREPORT.com, a 2018 state law -- enacted with the "yes" votes of a number of LB state legislators -- changed CA law to limit the grounds on which defendants in CA can be convicted of murder if a death occurs while they engaged in certain alleged felonies regardless if whether they were personally involved in or intended the killing (the "felony murder" rule.)

[Scroll down for further.]

As also previously noted by LBREPORT.com, the death of Mr. Hernandez with his dog comes a little over a year after Jessica Bingaman, a 41 year old Long Beach dog daycare provider, was killed when a suspect allegedly fleeing LBPD in a stolen 2016 Nissan crashed into her 2013 Ford Escape at a Temple Ave/Third St. stop sign. Ms. Bingaman perished in the May 7, 2019 midday crash, along with five of six dogs she had with her in the SUV.

The DA's office charged Javier Olivarez Jr., 43, of Los Angeles with nine felony counts, but not with murder.

The DA-filed charges filed were one count each of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle causing death and driving or taking a vehicle without consent as well as six counts of cruelty to an animal. A DA office release at the time said the charges included allegations that Olivarez was convicted in 2002 of unlawfully planting or cultivating marijuana, receiving stolen property in 2004, second-degree robbery in 2007 and possession of belt buckle knife in 2017.

The release said the felonies charged carried a possible maximum sentence if convicted of 38 years in state prison.

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As reported noted by LBREPORT.com, the case against Olivarez has not yet come to trial. Earlier today (May 29), the DA's office provided details of the procedural delays involved.

[Emailed statement by Greg Risling, Ass't Chief DA's office Media Relations Division] A defendant has a right to have a preliminary hearing within 10 days of arraignment. In this case, the defense has waived that time repeatedly as both sides complete the discovery process, review evidence and prepare for a preliminary hearing. Additionally, the preliminary hearing has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The day after Ms. Bingaman was killed, family, friends, neighborhood residents, assembled at Temple Ave./Third St. for an emotion packed candlelight vigil. LBPD Police Chief Robert Luna attended. So did 3rd dist. Councilwoman Suzie Price, who delivered poignant heartfelt remarks

In center of photo above: Ms. Bingaman's mother (wearing all blue), Councilwoman Suzie Price, Cookie Braude (holding "Guillermo")

(Additional LBREPORT.com coverage here.)

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