SAN FRANCISCO - A repeat offender charged in a deadly New Year’s Eve crash that killed two women in downtown San Francisco may avoid trial through a court-supervised drug diversion program; a possibility that has sparked public outrage and renewed debate over criminal justice reform.

The backstory:

Troy McAlister is charged with vehicular manslaughter and other crimes.

Authorities say he was high on meth and alcohol, driving a stolen car, when he ran a red light and fatally struck Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt in a crosswalk on December 31, 2020.

He was on parole at the time and has a long criminal history.

What they're saying:

Protesters rallied outside the Hall of Justice on Friday, urging Superior Court Judge Michael Begert, who oversees Drug Court, not to grant diversion, whic

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