Darnell Williams Jr. mugshot, courtesy of NBC Bay Area The older sister of a Berkeley man who could face the death penalty if found guilty of two fatal shootings in 2013 testified on his behalf Monday, but her testimony may have done more harm than good. Chastity Williams, sister of Darnell Williams Jr., told the […]
Homicide 2013
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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Ex-girlfriend of accused killer: ‘I feel scared to this day’
Darnell Williams Jr. mugshot, courtesy of NBC Bay Area Testimony continued Monday in the case against a man with ties to a Berkeley gang who is accused of gunning down a little girl at a slumber party and fatally shooting a Berkeley father in the back as he ran for his life and pleaded for mercy. Defense […]
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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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San Leandro man to face murder, gang charges after 2013 Berkeley killing
Photo: Krishna Ferreira, via Facebook Update: On April 14, 2017, Krishna Ferreira was convicted of voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to serve his time in San Quentin State Prison and will be eligible for parole in August 2025, according to prison records online. Original story: A 24-year-old San Leandro man […]
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Cousins take manslaughter plea in Berkeley shooting
A small memorial was set up in West Berkeley near the site of Zontee Jones’ death earlier this year. Photo: Emilie Raguso A small memorial was set up in West Berkeley near the site of Zontee Jones’ death earlier this year. Photo: Emilie Raguso Update, Jan. 5, 2015, 12:30 p.m. Cousins Maurice Thomas Jr. and Jevon […]
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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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Dispute over woman led to Berkeley man’s murder
Two cousins are slated to face murder charges in the shooting death in West Berkeley last year of Zontee Jones after an Alameda County Superior Court judge’s ruling this week. After a short hearing, which included testimony from two witnesses Wednesday morning, Judge Trina Thompson said the district attorney’s office had presented enough evidence for the […]
