Judge Denies Bail Reduction Requests For Men Accused In Deadly Street Race

SAN FERNANDO (CBSLA.com) — A judge denied bail reduction requests for two men charged in connection with last month's illegal race in Chatsworth that killed two people.

Jay Jaffe, the defense attorney for Irael Valenzuela, 38, admitted in court that his client was driving one of the two cars involved in the Feb. 26 race, according to CBS2's Dave Lopez.

Jaffe argued Valenzuela, however, was not driving the modified Ford Mustang, stating: "Izzy Valenzuela had nothing to do with that car going out of control immediately."

The attorney for the other driver whom police suspect was involved in the race, 21-year-old Henry Gevorgyan, told the court her client was standing on the starting line but was not behind-the-wheel of his Mustang.

Ultimately, the judge refused to lower their bail amounts, which remain at $2 million per defendant.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 26.