MARTINEZ — During his murder trial, Ramello Randle stabbed his own lawyer with a pen, attacked the prosecutor, and told the jury he’d slaughter them all if they convicted them. Unfortunately for the 28-year-old Oakland man, this novel legal strategy failed. On Friday morning, after little more than a full day of deliberating, jurors convicted … Read more
MARTINEZ — Just one day after a murder defendant stabbed his own lawyer and attacked a prosecutor in a rare act of courtroom violence, a Contra Costa judge on Tuesday called the jury into his courtroom for a heart-to-heart. “I can’t ask you to erase that from your mind and unring that bell, it’s impossible,” … Read more
MARTINEZ — Two attorneys were treated for injuries after an Oakland man allegedly used a pen to stab his own defense lawyer before turning his rage to the prosecutor in a Martinez courtroom, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed. Ramello Randle, 28, allegedly broke or cut through a restraint device keeping him in a courtroom chair, … Read more
MARTINEZ — After months of anticipation, a Contra Costa judge has decided on a landmark issue involving police racism and a new California law, dismissing special-circumstances enhancements against four people accused of murder in Antioch. In an order issued Monday, Judge David Goldstein dismissed all special-circumstances enhancements against co-defendants Eric Windom, Terryon Pugh, Keyshawn McGee, … Read more
MARTINEZ — An alleged prison gang leader accused of ordering the murder of a man over his gang’s attempts to take over an Antioch “money block” has been released from jail after a judge lowered his bail to $200,000 in a pending murder case, court records show. William Pree, 41, faces unresolved charges of murdering … Read more
WALNUT CREEK — A 19-year-old man was sentenced as a juvenile for murdering an Oakley teen when he was 16, maxing out his possible confinement to his 25th birthday, court records recently revealed. Jose Campos pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Aliciabelen “A.B.” Vela, who died after a fatal shooting … Read more
MARTINEZ — In a case that partially hinged on messages between gang members in an Instagram group chat, a Contra Costa jury convicted a 20-year-old man of murder and conspiracy in the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy. Anthony McCoy was convicted Thursday of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the Sept. 4, 2022 … Read more