It's Jail for Attorney Who Tried To Run Over Officer

By Jim Stebinger
A local attorney who tried to run over a Santa Monica police officer at the conclusion of a post-Christmas chase will start his jail sentence and lengthy probation June 7, according to Dep. Dist. Attorney Alan Jackson.

Duncan T. Moran, 34, pleaded no contest to felony assault, evading police and drug possession charges. Moran, who has a lengthy record of alcohol and drug-related incidents, including a fatal accident, will also be on probation for 14-years after serving his prison term. He will not be allowed to drive during his probation period, which cannot be shortened.

Jackson said the unusual arrangement - one of the longest probation periods he can recall - gives authorities a great deal of control over Moran because the prison sentence hangs over his head.

Jackson said Judge Steven Suzukawa suspended a 7-year 10-month prison term, which means that any serious infraction by Moran will send him immediately to state prison for the entire term.

If Moran cooperates he will serve one year in jail. He will then spend a year at Impact Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. Under terms of the agreement Moran must abide by all rules imposed on him, submit to drug testing and appear at court progress hearings.

Moran's latest legal problems began last Dec. 29. He led Santa Monica police on a chase and tried to run one of them over. Police found various drugs in his vehicle.

Moran has a history of driving under the influence dating back to his teen years. His first arrest resulted in dismissal at age 17. He was arrested and convicted about a year later.

In 1984 he was again arrested after a collision that resulted in a fatality. He was convicted of driving under the influence and causing injury and placed on probation. His record was clear for about 10 years, but in 1996 he began another series of drug related arrests, including one that occurred after a high-speed pursuit. Some of the charges were eventually dropped because the arrests were technically imperfect, but he enrolled in a drug diversion program to satisfy other charges.