Tragedy on the Playground: A timeline of events

* May 3, 1999: Steven Allen Abrams steers his 1967 Cadillac into the

playground at the Southcoast Early Childhood Learning Center, killing two

children and injuring two others and a teacher’s aide. Costa Mesa police

officers say Abrams told them he intended on “executing” the innocent

children there.

* May 5, 1999: Abrams appears in court, where prosecutors charge him with

two counts of murder, seven counts of attempted murder and three counts

of intent to cause bodily harm. Abrams does not enter a plea. Prosecutors

consider seeking the death penalty for Abrams. “I think that man will go

to hell,” Police Chief Dave Snowden said. “I hope we can expedite his

trip.”

Later that night, a memorial service for the slain children is held at

the Lighthouse Coastal Community Church. Preschool operator Sheryl

Hawkinson collapses of an apparent heart attack prior to the service,

eventually recovering.

* May 12, 1999: The day-care center reopens, with many of the school’s

students returning.

* May 18, 1999: Construction of a new concrete-and-iron wall begins at

the day-care center. The wall is later met with resistance from

neighbors.

* Aug. 17, 1999: In remembrance of her slain daughter, Cindy Soto creates

Sierra’s Light, a foundation advocating safety guidelines for child-care

facilities.

* Aug. 25, 1999: Costa Mesa City Manager Allan Roeder decides the new

wall at the preschool will remain, despite opposition from the neighbors.

* Nov. 30, 1999: Costa Mesa City Council approves permit for memorial

plaque to be placed on the preschool’s wall.

* Jan. 22, 2000: More than 100 attend plaque dedication ceremony at the

preschool.

* Jan. 25, 2000: Prosecutors delay decision on whether they will seek

death penalty for Abrams.

* Jan. 27, 2000: The Wieners, whose son Brandon was killed in the

playground tragedy, files a civil lawsuit naming Abrams as well as the

preschool’s operators and owners.

* March 15, 2000: The Sotos file a civil lawsuit, also naming the

preschool’s operators and owners in addition to Abrams.

* March 16, 2000: Attorney Federico Sayre, representing the Soto family,

alleges that a traffic accident had occurred at the preschool years

before the playground tragedy, and that knowledge of it may have

prevented the deaths of the children. Costa Mesa police find no record of

the alleged traffic accident.

* March 24, 2000: Abrams is formally arraigned, pleading not guilty.

Earlier, prosecutors announced they will seek the death penalty, but

Abrams’ mental health at the time of the tragedy remains a serious point

of contention, in that he could change his plea to guilty by insanity.