(Kelsey Anne Knoll, 24, (right) makes her first appearance in court Tuesday on a murder charge for allegedly crashing into a woman with her SUV on the west side of Santa Cruz Friday. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
SANTA CRUZ — The Mount Herman woman accused of deliberately running over another woman with her vehicle on July 20 made her first court appearance Tuesday.
Kelsey Knoll, 24, pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge. She also faces a charge that she used her vehicle as a deadly weapon.
She returns to court on Aug. 16.
If convicted, Knoll faces a sentence of 26 years to life in state prison.
During the short arraignment hearing, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann granted a request by prosecutors to revoke Knoll’s $2.5 million bail.
“We believe if she obtains bail she would be a risk to the community,” Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Johanna Schonfield said outside court.
Police investigators say that the 23-year-old victim, McKenzie Gilbert, was walking west on the 700 block of Modesto Avenue at about 3:25 p.m. when a 1999 black Infiniti SUV, also traveling westbound, struck her from behind in the intersection of Sacramento Avenue.
Gilbert was pronounced dead at the scene.
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The victim’s family releases statement
The victim’s family declined to speak with reporters outside court.
In a statement released through the Santa Cruz Police Department, the family said Gilbert recently graduated college with a biology degree, and returned home just 10 days before her death.
“We were having a graduation party next weekend, but instead we are planning her funeral,” the statement read.
Her family described Gilbert as a “ fun, sincere, loving person” who rode horses competitively.
McKenzie Gilbert
Gilbert was also a “determined” young woman with a love for music and a passion for new experiences. She completed a 220-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail for her 20th birthday.
“She wanted to do something epic,” the statement said. “We will miss her beyond what words can express. Our family is in complete disbelief and distraught at the loss of McKenzie. She is loved by her mother, father, sisters, brother, stepfather and stepmother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Please say prayers for McKenzie and hug the people you love. I only wish I had many moments back with her.”
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The investigation
According to Santa Cruz Police Lt. Warren Barry, the investigation included talking to witnesses and reviewing security footage.
“…It was determined that this was not an accident but an intentional act,” Barry said.
SCPD investigators brought in a California Highway Patrol drug recognition expert to examine Knoll and determine if she was driving the vehicle under the influence, Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Dan Flippo said.
The results of blood and alcohol testing are pending.
The crash occurred in a quiet neighborhood two blocks from West Cliff Drive.
On Saturday, an altar of flowers and handmade signs continued to build on the corner of the crash site where police spray paint markings dotted the asphalt. One large sign read, “You were very loved.”
According to court records, the incident is not Knoll’s first brush with the law. In 2015, she was charged with felony count of possession of a controlled substance and selling a controlled substance. Later the same year she was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
In 2017, Knoll again was charged with a felony for possession of a controlled substance. In May 2018, Knoll had a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance.
In 2015, Scotts Valley Police said Knoll was arrested twice in the same week on suspicion of sale of heroin and methamphetamine after they found large quantities of the illegal drugs in her car on both occasions.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Cruz Police Investigations department at 420-5820.
