The Alameda District Attorney’s Office congratulates and welcomes its newest Deputy District Attorneys: Laura Anderson, Ronald Clinton, Mariella Cohen, Christa Hall, and Matthew Issac. (Pictured left to right)
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On December 3, these young new prosecutors were sworn in by the Honorable Yolanda Northridge and District Attorney Nancy O’Malley at the René C. Davidson courthouse in Oakland. The office wishes them the best of luck as they begin their career in Alameda County.
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DA O'Malley with the Office's Newest Prosecutors
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On November 18, DA O'Malley attended and spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Hayward's first Housing Navigation Center. In a collaboration between the city and
Bay Area Community Services (BACS)
, the navigation center will help address the city’s homelessness crisis by providing temporary housing shelter for 45 individuals as well as intensive case management services with the goal of transitioning clients to permanent housing. The Navigation Center is located on city-owned land at the corner of Depot Road and Whitesell Street.
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DA O'MALLEY ANNOUNCES FUNDING PLAN, TO
COMBAT ILLEGAL DUMPING
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At a press conference on November 13, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) has joined Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and Contra Costa County Supervisor Burgis to announce funding for a one-year pilot program to combat illegal dumping in the two counties. $750,000 in State funds, secured by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, now support the creation of pilot programs in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties by funding increased law enforcement efforts to combat illegal dumping in both counties.
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“Illegal dumping is an environmental justice issue that disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities, and impacts the sense of well-being of all who live and work in neighborhoods where it is rampant,” says DA O’Malley. “Unscrupulous commercial haulers as well as individual violators illegally dispose of construction debris, mattresses, and trash of all sorts, wreaking havoc on the environment, ruining neighborhood streets and forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab to clean up the tremendous amounts of garbage dumped on city streets, highways, parks, and in our waterways. Dumping “hot spots” become breeding grounds for vermin and impact public health.”
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Be sure to catch "Justice For All", a monthly show by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office where DA O'Malley addresses community impacting issues through education and discussion. Those living in the Tri-Valley area can view Justice For All on regional station TV30 while everyone can view the latest episodes
on-demand here:
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"Second Chances", Parts 2 & 3 of the Justice For All podcast, is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play Music. To learn more and listen to all episodes, visit
https://justiceforall.alcoda.org/
or click your preferred streaming service below:
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KIDZONE HOLIDAY PARTY
AT THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
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On December 11, DA Nancy O’Malley hosted the annual Kid Zone Holiday Party. The festivities are held every year at the Alameda County Family Justice Center where clients and their children are invited to take part in a myriad of fun activities such as cookie decorating and photos with Santa Claus. After being served pizza, each child chose a toy to take home from a large assortment of gifts. The District Attorney’s Office thanks all of the Family Justice Center staff for their hospitality,
La Familia, the Family Violence Law Center, Bay Area Women Against Rape, and CALICO for gift contributions
as well as 1st United Credit Union for providing food and refreshments and volunteer services for what was a joyous afternoon of fun, family, and togetherness.
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CHARLES HOUSTON
BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
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DA O’Malley and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office congratulates the Charles Houston Bar Association and all of the 2019 Award Recipients on another successful year and Gala. Pictured: the Honorable Brenda Harbin-Forte (2019 Special Lifetime Achievement Award) and former members of the District Attorneys Office: the Honorable Ursula Jones-Dickson (2019 Thelton Henderson Judicial Excellence Award) Honorable Jennifer Madden, and Honorable Scott Jackson, as well as Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Sabrina Farrell and DA intern Nuvia Alvarez, Cristo Rey De La Salle High School
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On December 5, 2019, a jury convicted defendant David Vigil of voluntary manslaughter (heat of passion) with use of a firearm, 2
nd
degree murder with personal use of a firearm, and shooting at an occupied vehicle.
On September 24, 2015, defendant David Vigil and his unidentified co-participant slowly drove down Crosby Avenue in East Oakland. The two both noticed victims Jorge Salazar and Edward Miranda sitting in Mr. Salazar’s car. The two victims had just gotten off work. After initially driving past the victims, the defendant reversed his car to line up with Mr. Salazar’s car and the men exchanged words. The defendant then drove his car forward and pulled to the side to allow another car to drive past, reversed again, got out of his car and approached the victims as they sat in their car. The defendant’s passenger also got out of the car and began to approach the victims and both the defendant and his passenger shot into the victims’ car. Mr. Salazar, who was also armed, fired back twice, striking the defendant once in the shoulder. The defendant and his co-participant fled the scene, leaving Mr. Salazar and Mr. Miranda dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The defendant initially claimed he was shot approximate three miles away while minding his own business. He claimed self-defense at trial despite stating that he had “shot some Scraps” shortly after the shooting. “Scraps” is a derogatory name for Sureño gang members. It is believed that the defendant is a Norteño gang member. It should be noted that the victims had no ties to any gang and appeared to be in the wrong place at the wrong time as they were victimized by the defendant.
The defendant will be sentenced on January 31, 2020.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Butch Ford with the assistance of Inspector Ceasar Basa and Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.
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On November 7, 2019, a jury found defendant Sean Grant guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and a felon in possession of ammunition.
On June 29, 2018, the defendant returned to his former workplace at New Karibbean Night Club in Oakland. There, he confronted a former colleague and started a physical altercation. After the altercation, the defendant told the victim "It's a wrap for you, you better stop working here." After making this threat, the defendant made a FaceTime call and asked an unknown man if he had "that thing." Understanding "thing" to mean gun, the victim called 911. While police were on scene, the defendant returned to New Karibbean. In the car the defendant had been seen driving, police recovered a loaded pistol with an extended clip full of 33 rounds of live ammunition.
The defendant will be sentenced on January 10, 2020.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Charly Weissenbach with the assistance of Inspector Brian Delahunty.
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BE SAFE WHEN HOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE!
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The holiday season brings a surge of online shopping, and with it, an increase in the theft of valuable personal information such as credit card and bank account numbers. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office reminds you to be cautious of scams.
Scammers often use the tactic called “vishing” where callers claim to be from trusted or reputable companies like your bank. The caller states that they need to verify possible fraudulent charges on your behalf and ask for information such as your social security number, bank account number, password, and birth date. NEVER give out personal information to a caller. If you suspect that you have fallen victim to a fraud or scam, call your bank immediately. To learn ways on how to stay safe from cyber fraud please visit:
www.alcoda.org/cewpd/id_theft_hi-tech_crime
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Questions for the DA's Office?
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Do you have a question for the District Attorney?
If you would like to see a particular question answered in our next newsletter, please email us at
[email protected].
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HEAT Watch: HEAT Watch is the anti-human trafficking program run by the DA's Office. It coordinates the response to help fight trafficking in the Bay Area and beyond.
Point of View: The well-known legal educational tool written and published by the DA's Office.
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