American Actress Hannah Star Esser in court for the murder of Victor Anthony Luis who was mowed down after the pair got into an argument about a cat

By Edward Era Barbacena 

A 20-year-old actress who was charged with murder after allegedly mowing down a man she believed had tried to run over a cat has appeared in court for a preliminary hearing today. 

Hannah Star Esser got into a verbal altercation in Cypress, California, in September 2022 with Victor Anthony Luis, 43, who she believed was trying to run over a cat with his SUV. 

Prosecutors said the two got out of their cars and had a dispute, which Esser filmed on her phone.

Esser then got back in her car before making a U-turn and accelerating towards Luis, striking him with the front right side of her car.

Luis was launched onto the hood and windshield before being flipping several times and landing on the street, according to Orange County district attorneys. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Esser was arrested after Cypress Police Department Officers arrived and was taken to Orange County Jail where she was charged with murder. 

Exclusive pictures of her at her preliminary hearing before trial were obtained by DailyMail.com. 

She was seen in orange jailhouse clothes while appearing before Judge Katherine E. Lewis at the Orange County Superior Court.

If found guilty, she could be imprisoned for 25 years.  

At the time of the arrest, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said: 'This action showed a complete disregard for human life. 

'The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will ensure that this random act of violence targeting a stranger will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'

Her trial date is not yet known and at the time of arrest, her bail had been set at $1 million. 

A GoFundme was set up for Luis's family last year, which successfully reached its goal of $20,000. He left behind a wife and five daughters. 

It remains unclear if there was a cat on the scene at the time, and if any animals had been hurt during the incident.