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The In An Instant podcast shines a light on the often-overlooked stories of crime victims. Maria Liza candidly shares her journey, recounting how her life took a devastating turn on the evening of November 4, 2022 and the harsh realities that followed.
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About Justice Forgotten

On the fateful evening of Friday November 4th, 2022 at around 8PM, the Spiridon and Ammen families' lives were tragically changed forever. Grace Spiridon and Greg Ammen were killed, due to an alleged speed contest between Cesar Morales and Kyle Harrison. 

Mr. Morales was driving recklessly on a busy road, exceeding 100 MPH in a 35 MPH zone while racing against Mr. Harrison, who was also traveling at a high rate of speed. In this reckless pursuit, Morales T-boned Greg, Grace, and their 7-year old twins.

Miraculously, the twins survived the crash.

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Mr. Morales was just ordered home detention on January 16, 2025 by San Mateo Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Etezadi. At 21, his record will be permanently sealed and he will walk away from this as if nothing ever happened. Harrison's sentencing will take place February 25, 2025 at 11am in Redwood City, CA. 

 

​​​This website is dedicated to honoring Greg, Grace, and their twin daughters, whose lives were overlooked by the court from the very beginning. It serves as a platform to advocate against an unjust system that disproportionately penalizes victims while allowing perpetrators to evade appropriate consequences.

 

The REAL Facts

​​​Morales​ (public court records):

FACT: The case was a public hearing and was governed by the type of charge. The relevant code is: W&I 676 (c).

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FACT: The sentencing took place on January 16, 2025, which happened to be Morales' 20th birthday, a detail recognized by the court. He received a sentence of 90 days of house arrest for the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of two parents, left two 7-year-olds deeply traumatized, and shattered the lives of two families, friends, and numerous bystanders.

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FACT:  Judge Etezadi granted Morales permission to leave the courtroom when recordings of one of the victim’s night terrors were played, showcasing the profound damage he had inflicted. His mother, Susana Salto, also opted to leave the courtroom, despite having previously allowed her son to drive despite his history of reckless driving, even before he had a drivers license, and while he was still on a provisional license 

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FACT: One of the victims families sentencing requests was for Morales to write a sincere letter of apology to Grace & Greg's daughters and any other family members who requested one. This request was denied by defense attorney, Nowack due to a civil lawsuit. In stark contrast, refer to Harrison's FACTS below. 

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FACT: A radar detector box was found in Morales’ bedroom. 

 

FACT: Morales was pulled over for going 108mph in July 2021. Just a few months after he got his provisional driver's license.  This critical piece of evidence was never mentioned nor brought to the courtroom. It was only discovered after Morales' sentencing in 2025. 
 

FACT: Morales’ parents allowed him to purchase a high horsepower Mercedes, after he drove his dad’s car without a drivers license and it was totaled. He was still allowed to keep his car and drive after he received a ticket for going 108mph, only a few months after he got his drivers license. 

 

FACT: He was 73 days from 18 when he fatally struck Greg Ammen, Grace Spiridon, and their twin daughters, who were all in the car at that time. 

 

​FACT: He was traveling at estimated speeds of over 100 miles per hour when he struck them, in a 35MPH zone on El Camino Real in Redwood City, at the intersection of Finger Avenue on a busy Friday evening on November 4th, 2022 at approximately 8PM. 

 

FACT: Since he was a minor at the time, an Adult Transfer hearing was set by request of the San Mateo County DA's office, to move him to be charged as an adult. Based on Judge Etazadi's ruling, she decided not to transfer him, nor did the DA appeal her decision. 

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FACT: As of January 16th, 2025, only 27 months after that fatal accident, he will spend only 90 days in home detention at his parents home. This is the same environment that molded his reckless choice.

 

FACT: He will allegedly not have his drivers license for 3 years (until 23), per Judge Etezadi's sentencing. Still TBD if it's from date of collision or date of sentencing.  The defense argued the frontal lobe is not fully developed until 25 years of age.

On a side note - someone with a DUI with 8+ points can have their license revoked. Morales has a lengthy list of charges including double vehicular manslaughter as well as a reckelss driving history.

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FACT: Proposition 57 gives more freedom to the Judge to make rulings than what previously was possible, overriding the DA from being able to perform an adult transfer as they could before. It allows the Judge to use their own discretion, and interpretation of the law, to decide if the transfer is justified.  Experts can be hired by the Defense Counsel (public defender) to attest to this. This is another cost that taxpayers pay for. 

See here for more details: CA Proposition 57​​​

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Harrison​ (facts):
Sentencing hearing is open to the public and takes place on February 25th at 11am at Superior Court in Redwood City.  

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FACT: Harrison has shown remorse by writting a letter of apology to the family and has an active civil lawsuit. In stark contrast refer to Morales’ facts. 

 

FACT: He will be tried as an adult. He was 23 years of age at the time of the collision.

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FACT: He did not hit Grace and Greg's car, but pled guilty for double vehicular manslaughter, engaging in a speed contest with Morales. 
 

FACT: He was going roughly 80mph

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FACT: He fled the scene the night of November 4th, 2022, and was arrested 17 days later. â€‹

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FACT: Harrison was declared deceased while in custody on March 15, 2025. It was revealed the presence of methadone was found in his system, a controlled substance that was not on his prescribed list of medications.

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Provided by the Deputy District Attorney of Juvie for Morales (just for fall 2024):

The following services are provided for Morales by the taxpayer:

- Various educational programs

- Success Center

- FLY (Fresh Livelines for Youth)

- YMCA

- Therapy (bi-weekly)

- Tutoring 2+ days/ week

- Skyline College: Free admission (not including materials, etc.)

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Provided for Grace and Greg's daughters by the same tax dollars (since November 2024):

The following services are provided for Grace and Greg's daughters by the taxpayer:

-NOTHING

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Victims are left to navigate the aftermath of their trauma without access to essential resources like tutoring and therapy. They must seek these services on their own, often while grappling with shock and grief, and face the added burden of out-of-pocket expenses. CalVCB has limited funds for direct and derivative victims and even when they get compensation they must pay it back from the ongoing wrongful death civil lawsuit which does not include economic loss, etc. Reliance on community support becomes essential, but the process can be frustratingly complex and time-consuming, filled with paperwork and applications.

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In stark contrast, perpetrators receive assistance from the very beginning with seemingly little effort required on their part. The responsibility falls disproportionately on victims, their families, and charitable contributions to secure the help they need. This situation, compounded by the immense pain of their loss, highlights a glaring inequity in the support systems

 

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Stay tuned for more FACTS, not what the media has sensationalized, or mere opinions.

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