Posted inCrime & Safety

Berkeley killings get spotlight in death penalty case

A memorial lanyard showing Anthony “Tone” Medearis III. Photo: Emilie Raguso A memorial lanyard showing Anthony “Tone” Medearis III. Photo: Emilie Raguso One month into the trial of a Berkeley man charged with two murders, who could face the death penalty, his defense attorneys are slated to begin to present evidence to the jury Monday. Darnell Williams […]

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Newly found photo could bolster prosecution’s case in Berkeley-Oakland death penalty trial

Darnell Williams Jr. mugshot, courtesy of NBC Bay Area A Berkeley man facing multiple murder charges may have inadvertently tipped off the prosecution to a notable piece of evidence by insisting he get access to material on his old cellphone. Police had confiscated the phone of Darnell Williams Jr. at the time of his arrest in Berkeley […]

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Judge orders Williams trial to continue after defendant threatens suicide, violence

Darnell Williams Jr. mugshot, courtesy of NBC Bay Area After an unexpected series of events, an Alameda County Superior Court judge offered to lend his own clean underwear, trousers and socks to a defendant standing trial for multiple murders. Testimony was slated to resume at 9:30 Monday morning in the Darnell Williams Jr. case, but was postponed for […]

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Years on, Alaysha Carradine killing is still haunting

Alaysha Carradine, courtesy of family As testimony began Tuesday in the Darnell Williams Jr. murder trial, veteran first responders were overcome by emotion on the stand as they recalled the 8-year-old girl fatally shot during a sleepover in 2013, and the courtroom was captivated by the sweetness of the little girl who survived the violence. Most of the adults who […]

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Defense says lack of evidence will cast doubt in double murder trial

Darnell Williams Jr. Photo: Courtesy of NBC Bay Area Unreliable statements and a lack of evidence will show the jury Darnell Williams Jr. did not commit the two killings, in Berkeley and Oakland, for which he is standing trial this week, his defense attorney said Tuesday morning. In her brief opening statements, before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey […]

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Prosecutor: Berkeley killing sparked ‘rampage of violence’ that left little girl dead

Darnell Williams Jr. courtesy of NBC Bay Area The shooter rang the doorbell, then straightened out his arms as he held the pistol in front of him with both hands. He waited for the doorknob to move and heard a little girl ask, “Who is it?” As the knob began to turn, he opened fire, pointing slightly downward. […]

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Breaking: Case dismissed in Jermaine Davis homicide

“Twanny” York, via Facebook “Twanny” York, via Facebook Charges have been dropped in the case against a Pittsburg man accused of shooting a 26-year-old Berkeley man to death last summer. Wednesday at 10 a.m., an Alameda County Superior Court judge agreed to drop the charges against 26-year-old Antiown “Twanny” York, and said he could go home. […]

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1 held to answer in murder of ‘Lil Tone’

Anthony Medearis’ aunt wore a lanyard and memorial photograph of her nephew to court over the past week. Photo: Emilie Raguso Update, Jan. 17: Berkeleyside has been informed by a relative of murder victim Anthony Medearis III that the Alameda County district attorney’s office plans to seek the death penalty in the case against Darnell Williams Jr. […]

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2 testify in Berkeley murder hearing against Oakland man

Anthony Medearis’ aunt wore a lanyard and memorial photograph of her nephew to court this week. Photo: Emilie Raguso The 7-year-old nephew of a man charged with killing Berkeley father Anthony “Lil Tone” Medearis III in September reluctantly took the stand in a hearing Tuesday to determine whether a trial against Medearis’ accused killer can proceed. […]

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Breaking: Police announce arrest in Berkeley homicide

Jermaine Davis, via YouTube Tuesday afternoon, authorities announced the arrest of the man they say is responsible for the shooting death last July of 26-year-old Jermaine “Third” Davis of Berkeley. In a statement released by the Berkeley Police Department on Tuesday afternoon, police said they have arrested Antiown Ramon York, 25, of Pittsburg on suspicion […]