By Melody Hanatani
Daily Press Staff Writer

CITYWIDE — The day when George Russell Weller plowed his car through the Farmers’ Market on Arizona Avenue more than three years ago is still crystal clear in Vince Garcia’s mind.

Immediately after the deadly July 16, 2003 crash, a crowd of frantic people burst into Western Spirit, a store specializing in western wear that Garcia manages on Third Street. People were screaming for Garcia to call 9-1-1. A vehicle had just driven into the nearby Farmer’s Market, located just a few yards from the store, killing 10 people and injuring more than 60 others.

On Friday, just hours after a jury found Weller guilty on all 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter, possibly sending him to prison for up to 18 years, Garcia said he was pleased with the verdict. He hoped it would send a clear message that regardless of age, those who commit a crime will be punished.

Weller, who was 86 years old at the time of the crash, is now 89 and in ailing health.

Reaction to the verdict in Santa Monica ranged from disbelief to satisfaction. Some could not believe that a jury would find an elderly man in the final stages of his life guilty of a crime that many thought was a tragic accident, while others believed justice was served.

The 600 block of 25th Street that Weller calls home was surprisingly peaceful on Friday, belying the stark verdict that had just been issued in a Downtown LA courtroom. The street was filled with the noises of hammers, as the house next to Weller’s single-story home was under construction.

“It’s a shame,” said Kit Dreyfuss, who lives across the street from Weller. “I think it was a very bad decision on part of the jury.”

Dreyfuss has known Weller since she moved into her home in 1969. She called her neighbor “one of the finest people you’ll ever meet.”

“It’s terrible for the people killed, it’s terrible for the people injured, and it’s terrible for him [Weller],” Dreyfuss said.

Meanwhile, city officials expressed hope that the verdict would close a very sad chapter in Santa Monica’s history.

“I don’t know any of the people who were injured, nor do I know Mr. Weller, but I do know his close relatives and I can assure you they are as devastated as everyone is by this,” said Mayor Bob Holbrook.

Since the accident, the city has taken heightened measures to ensure a similar tragedy is not repeated. Rubber cones and saw horses served as barricades before the accident. Today, cars and trucks are in their stead.

City Councilman Richard Bloom, who was mayor when the crash occurred, said he was surprised by the verdict. Bloom thought Weller would be acquitted of all charges.

“I know the healing is going to be long-term and ongoing,” Bloom said. “It’s not something that is going to go away anytime soon in the eyes of those who are close to the events.”

It was business as usual on Friday along the Third Street Promenade, where shoppers and power walkers were enjoying the beautiful weather. Those who had heard the Weller verdict through word-of-mouth said they were shocked.

“I don’t think he’s going to live long, so why make him suffer in jail?” asked Sameer Jooma, owner of Giorgio Vasari on Third Street. “He’s not a risk. It wasn’t anything malicious.”

Jooma remembers the day when the accident occurred. He never once thought Weller had purposely driven his car into the market.

“Maybe he blanked out,” Jooma said.

Esther Kim of Santa Clarita agrees that Weller probably did not drive into the market intentionally. Kim, who was sitting on the promenade with a friend, said the judge should sentence Weller to one year in prison with community service.

Daily Press Staff Writer Kevin Herrera contributed to the reporting of this article.