David Brian Pearce, a Hollywood film producer, took the stand Tuesday in his defense, denying responsibility for the deaths of two women—model Christy Giles and architect Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola. Pearce, 45, faces murder charges after the women were found dead following an overdose of drugs on November 13, 2021. He also faces charges of sexual assault involving multiple women.
Pearce testified that he did not personally see Giles or Cabrales-Arzola consume drugs or provide them with cocaine after they returned from a rave at his Beverly Hills home. The two women were taken to separate hospitals hours apart, with Giles already deceased upon arrival at Southern California Hospital in Culver City. Cabrales-Arzola, who was in critical condition, later died after being taken off life support.
Toxicology reports revealed that Giles had multiple substances, including cocaine and fentanyl, in her system, while Cabrales-Arzola had a mix of drugs, including ecstasy. Pearce denied the prosecution’s claims that he gave them drugs, asserting that he believed the women had simply passed out from partying.
During cross-examination, Pearce was confronted about his actions that day, including moving the women after they were unresponsive and transporting them to hospitals in a car without license plates. Pearce denied making a comment attributed to him, “Dead girls don’t talk,” and continued to claim he did not sexually assault either of the women, despite DNA evidence presented in court.
Co-defendant Brandt Walter Osborn, charged as an accessory, testified that Pearce was frantic when he realized Giles wasn’t breathing and that he tried to seek medical help, only to return home and find Cabrales-Arzola in a similar state. Osborn also denied hearing the alleged comment and stated that he didn’t know the license plates were missing from the vehicle.
Pearce is also facing numerous sexual assault charges involving other women, some of whom testified against him in court. His defense argued that the two women’s deaths were a tragic accident and that Pearce should not be held responsible for their drug ingestion.
The trial continues, with closing arguments expected soon.
