Defendant hires Paul Pfingst for vehicular manslaughter case

By Neal Putnam

Harold Lee Green Jr. 50, of Ramona, has hired former District Attorney Paul Pfingst to defend him on vehicular manslaughter charges involving the death of his passenger in 2011 in a crash on Ashley Road.

A back seat passenger, Mark Andrew Jones, 52, of Ramona, was killed on Nov. 13, 2011, around 3:18 p.m., and another passenger, Michael McComack, 55, was injured when the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda rolled over several times.

El Cajon Superior Court Judge William McGrath ordered Green to appear at an Oct. 30 preliminary hearing, and allowed him to remain free on his own recognizance along with conditions.

In allowing Green to remain free, McGrath made an order that says “do not drive any motor vehicle at any time” and also to “abstain from alcohol,” according to court records. Green pleaded not guilty on Aug. 22.

Pfingst, defeated in 2002 in his bid for a third term as district attorney, has had successful defenses in many cases involving homicides and vehicular deaths.

Green wasn’t arrested after the crash because he was also injured and hospitalized. A prosecutor said the case was filed July 30 after it was fully investigated. He was sent a notify letter from the DA’s office about the charges and arraignment date.

Green was driving southbound on Ashley Road from Telford Lane and he apparently tried to turn, causing the vehicle to hit a street sign and then a retaining wall, according to authorities. Jones was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over.

Green has also been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury to McComack and driving with more than .15 blood/alcohol level, which is nearly twice the legal limit.