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'Did You Know...?'
Issue 8, 2016
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Welcome to the eighth edition of our 'Did You Know...?' newsletter for 2016.
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In this issue:
- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Governor Brown signs important public safety bills
- DA Staff out and about in the community
- First degree murder conviction in killing of 80-year-old woman
- Felony verdicts
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we hope you can join us for a series of events throughout October as we reach out to our community and raise awareness about domestic violence.
We are launching our "Speak Up, Speak Out" campaign in various public buildings around the county, and will also host the annual Day of Remembrance on October 28 to honor those who have been murdered as a result of domestic violence. For more information about the events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month around the county, please visit the Alameda County Family Justice Center's News & Events page.
A woman in the United States is physically abused every 15 seconds.
It’s time to “Speak Up, Speak Out” against domestic violence in our community.
If you or someone you know are victims of domestic violence, you are not alone. We can help you. Call the ACFJC on (510) 267-8800 or visit acfjc.org.
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Governor Brown Signs Important Public Safety Bills into Law
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Recently, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law numerous public safety bills that the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office sponsored, authored, and supported.
District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley said, “I am proud to work with California's lawmakers as we strive together to make our communities and our state a safe place for all Californians. I wish to thank Governor Brown for signing these important bills into law.”
Our office sponsored AB 420 to amend the Penal Code to create specific distinctions between purchasers of commercial sex from adults, purchasers of sex from minors, and adults offering to engage in sex with a purchaser.
“This will provide law enforcement and the justice system with data that will aid in directing resources to best combat human trafficking. The bill will also pave the way for future laws aimed at curbing the demand for the purchase of sex in our communities," DA O'Malley said. Find out more about the new public safety legislation...
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DA Staff Out and About in the Community
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September was a busy month for members of our office participating in various community events.
On a recent weekend, some of our dedicated staff members participated in 'Juice Up The Hood: Daffodil Day 2016', an event dedicated to neighborhood beautification projects. Our volunteers planted more than 200 daffodils and other native plants in and around East Oakland. We can't wait to see them in full bloom!
We attended the annual One Child at a Time Benefit Picnic for CALICO: the Child Abuse Listening, Interviewing, and Coordination center. The center provides vital services to abused children and their families, and we are proud to work alongside them.
Finally, we participated in the Solano Stroll - the Easy Bay's largest street festival. Our staff set up a community information table and spoke to residents about what we do at the DA's Office, our innovative programs, and how we can help if they have been victims of crime.
If you see us at an event, please stop by and say hello!
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First Degree Murder Conviction for
Killing of 80-Year-Old Hayward Woman
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On September 1, 2016, Defendant Ayodele Patterson was convicted of first degree murder and burglary special circumstance for the killing of 80-year-old Ms. Carolyn June Pavon in 2010.
On June 26, 2010, Defendant Ayodele Patterson, Defendant Donnie Howard and Defendant Lionel Harris planned to commit a residential burglary in Hayward. Defendants Patterson and Howard lived in the neighborhood and pre-selected Ms. June Pavon’s house as the target of their armed home invasion. She was a widow and lived alone with her 15-year-old Border Collie named Nikki. Ms. Pavon was shot four times in the chest and face at very close range as she sat on the couch reading a romance novel. Read more about the case...
Defendant Donnie Tony Howard was convicted on December 7, 2015, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Defendant Lionel J Harris pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter in September 2015 and sentenced to 12 years in state prison.
The case was prosecuted by Senior DDA Angela Backers with assistance from DA Inspector Gus Galindo and Victim-Witness Advocates Lindsay Reynolds, Elena Langer, and Jenifer Mello.
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New Legislation Increases Building Construction Oversight
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In response to the tragic balcony collapse that killed six people in Berkeley in 2015, Senate Bill 465 was introduced by Senators Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) and Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and supported by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. On September 15, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed this bill into law.
This important piece of legislation requires the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, after consultation with the Contractors State Licensing Board, to make available copies of any citations or actions taken by the division against a contractor. This bill establishes greater accountability for contractors and ensures the public has critical disciplinary information about contractor licenses.
An example of this need for transparency was apparent in the investigation into the Berkeley balcony collapse. The company responsible has reportedly paid out $26.5 million in construction defect settlements, but that information was not known to the Contractors State Licensing Board or to the District Attorney’s Office. Read more...
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People v Gregory Gadlin
On September 14, 2016, a jury convicted defendant Gregory D. Gadlin of the first degree murder of Evan Meisner. Read more about the case...
Defendant Gregory D. Gadlin has 3 prior robbery convictions and faces a sentence of 115 years to life at his sentencing on October 13, 2016
The case was prosecuted by DDA Warren Ko with assistance from DA Inspector Jim Rullamas and Victim-Witness Advocate Stephanie Lynch.
People v Stephon Lee and Mario Mady Floyd
On September 15, 2016, a jury found Defendant Stephon Lee and Defendant Mario Mady Floyd convicted of felony murder with special circumstance findings related to the robbery of Ms. Salamon. Read more about the case...
Defendant Stephon Lee and Defendant Mario Floyd will be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in October 2016.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Butch Ford with assistance from DA Inspector Cesar Basa and Victim-Witness Advocate Marina Hammergren.
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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
info@alcoda.org.
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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.
Find out when the next court date is for a particular case. Available 24/7.
Find out the custody status of a person of interest. Available 24/7.
We provide speakers for your next school or community meeting who come to you with decades of expertise about the law, the criminal justice system and how we at the DA's Office can help you if you have been the victim of a crime.
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