As the national debate on gun violence rages on, we in Alameda County are daily confronted with the tragedy and senseless horrors that result from the misuse of firearms. Although the City of Oakland has especially suffered from the scourge of gun-related crimes, guns have proven to be a serious problem in other parts of the county as well. 

The recent news about the shootings and killings taking place in Alameda County is devastating and often leads to a perception that little or nothing can be done to address the serious violence plaguing our community. I believe that it is important to also acknowledge the results of homicide investigations and the prosecution of those responsible. This issue includes a snapshot of gun related cases that our office has recently prosecuted.

In addition to prosecuting gun cases, my office unveiled its new series of podcasts.  These short episodes are meant to provide listeners with context and commentary on some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice. The first episode deals with the ongoing epidemic of gun violence in Alameda County.  I hope you will listen in and send your comments or suggestions for topics you would like to hear. 

We know we can't fight crime alone. It takes a community to make a difference. Let's work together to keep our streets healthy and gun-free.

We are proud and honored to serve the people of Alameda County.

Sincerely,

Nancy E. O'Malley

Alameda County District Attorney

An assault rifle with an illegal high-capacity drum magazine, seized by OPD.

Gun-related cases that our office has recently prosecuted incude:

People v. Gregory Gadlin On February 13, 2013 a jury convicted defendant Gregory Gadlin, of the first-degree murder of Evan Meisner, and of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both offenses occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. on March 31, 2011 on Lyon Avenue in Oakland. The murder is believed to have occurred as a part of a robbery. The defendant will be sentenced on March 29, 2013. The prosecutor was DDA Greg Dolge.

People v. Aaron Chandra On February 7, 2013, Aaron Chandra was convicted of second-degree murder and of possessing marijuana for sale. On August 29th, 2010, the victim arranged to purchase a large quantity of marijuana from the defendant in the garage of the Hayward cottage that the defendant's mother rented. During a dispute about the marijuana, the victim struck the defendant on the face with an open palm. The defendant pulled a loaded .380 automatic handgun from his waistband and fired three shots, one of which hit the victim in the chest. He was declared dead shortly after being transported to Eden Hospital. The prosecutor was DDA Brian Owens.

People v. Charles Ray Woods On January 30, 2013, a jury convicted Charles Ray Woods of home invasion robbery in concert. On February 22, 2012, Woods, along with Kevon Lashean Hicks and Marquis Lavon Hamilton forced their way into the home of an elderly couple in Fremont, and threatened and hit the home-owners with a gun. The men ransacked the house before fleeing on foot. They were apprehended shortly thereafter. The two other defendants, Hicks and Hamilton, pled guilty to all charges before trial. The jury also convicted defendant Woods of a robbery at a 7-11 store on Mission Boulevard in Hayward that he participated in on July of 2011. The prosecutor was DDA Matt Gaidos.

Gun-related cases recently charged by our Office include:

• Defendant Lamar Webster, charged with a January, 11, 2013 murder and attempted murder. The defendant is alleged to have opened fire from a car, killing the driver of another car and leaving one hundred shell casings at the scene. The murders took place in the middle of the afternoon, on a street in Oakland.
• Defendant Christopher Carter, who is alleged to have shot and killed his girlfriend on December 7, 2012.
• Defendant Diantay Powell, who is accused of murdering two-teenaged girls near in Oakland on November 25, 2012.

Federal Legislation: Congress Re-Authorizes Violence Against Women Act 

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation that sought to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States. The passage of VAWA in 1994, and its reauthorization in 2000 and 2005, has changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence. 

Last Thursday, by a vote of 286 to 138, the House passed the bipartisan Senate-approved version of the Violence Against Women Act - one that includes added protections for LGBT, Native American, and undocumented victims of domestic violence.    District Attorney Nancy O'Malley applauds Congress for reauthorizing a more inclusive version of VAWA.  O'Malley states "Federal leadership encourages local government to improve responses to victims and perpetrators.  These laws fill in local jurisdictional gaps in prosecuting crimes. Reauthorization of VAWA supports these positive changes."

VAWA supporters at a rally in Washington DC. (Photograph by the National Congress of American Indians)

Recent Domestic Violence Verdict:

Recent Cases Involving Children:

People v. James Timothy McCarthy On February 15, 2013, a jury convicted James Timothy McCarthy of thirteen counts of continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault and rape of a minor under the age of 14. The defendant is expected to be sentenced to a life term in prison on March 18, 2013. The prosecutor was DDA Casey Bates. 

People v. Edward Leite On February 6, 2013, Edward Leite was convicted by a jury of one count of sexual intercourse with a child 10-years old or younger, four counts of lewd and lascivious acts against a child 14-years of age or younger, and one count of possession or control of child pornography. On October 30, 2010, Jane Doe's mother allowed the defendant to take her 7-year old daughter to a Halloween party. After the party, the Defendant sexually molested the little girl causing injury to her privates. When Jane Doe's mother returned to the house the little girl disclosed her injury, and the police were called and the defendant arrested. A search of the defendant's home recovered DVDs  filmed by the Defendant, showing footage of Jane Doe and John Doe, another child, engaged in sexual contact. Alameda Sheriff's Crime lab found almost 200 child porn videos and photographs on defendant's two computers. Defendant Leite will face a prison term of 75 years to life when he is sentenced. The prosecutor was DDA Jimmie Wilson.

People v. Walter Meek Jr. On January 14, 2013, Walter Meek Jr. was convicted of one count of sexual penetration of a child 10 years old or younger, and two counts of lewd and lascivious act against a child 14 years of age or younger. Sometime during early April 2010, Jane Doe One and Jane Doe Two, 5-year old twins, were staying with a family friend. Defendant Meek, a registered sex offender, and his then-girlfriend asked if they could take the children on a play-date to play with Meek's twin nephews. Defendant did not disclose his sex offender status to the friend (a status he earned for sexually assaulting his then 4-year old cousin.) The four eventually went to his girlfriend's Hayward home, where he molested and sexually assaulted each twin separately, and forced his girlfriend to perform sexual acts with him as one of the children looked on. The defendant's girlfriend testified against him in court. Defendant Meek faces a minimum sentence of 60 years to life in prison. The prosecutor was DDA Jimmie Wilson.

For a full description of all felony and misdemeanor verdicts please visit our website.

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The Alameda County DA's Office is dedicated to serving our community through the ethical prosecution of criminal offenses and the vigorous protection of victims' rights.

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