Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price Resubmits Charges Against Three Defendants in the Kevin Nishita Murder Case
February 9, 2024
Oakland, CA— Following a comprehensive reevaluation of the evidence, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announces new charges against the three men accused of murdering Kevin Nishita and robbing two other victims in 2021. Laron Gilbert (29) is charged with murder, attempted robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon. Hershel Hale (26) is charged with murder, attempted robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon. Shadihia Mitchell (27) is charged with murder, attempted robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon.
In the new complaint filed today and approved by District Attorney Pamela Price, all three men will face gang and gun enhancements for the first time since 2021.
“We have an obligation to get it right, and these charges are consistent with the actual evidence in the case,” said District Attorney Pamela Price. “The previous prosecutors who charged the case under my predecessor made mistakes about who was responsible for Mr. Nishita’s murder and failed to include some charges. At my direction, our team reevaluated the evidence, discovered those mistakes, and resubmitted the charges to ensure that the men whom we believe committed these crimes will be held fully accountable. Our condolences go out to the victims of this crime, and we want to assure residents that this type of reckless violence on our streets will not be tolerated.” DA Price added. “Our victim advocates continue to support all three victims of this incident, including Mr. Nishita’s family, during this challenging time.”
All three defendants were initially charged together in 2021. Defendant Laron Gilbert eluded arrest for approximately two years and was recently apprehended and returned to Alameda County for trial. While Mr. Gilbert was being sought, Defendants Hale and Mitchell were charged separately. Once Mr. Gilbert was returned to Alameda County, the complaint against Defendants Hale and Mitchell was dismissed to allow them to be re-charged and tried together with Defendant Gilbert.
As a result of the extensive review and new charges brought under DA Price’s leadership, all three defendants will now be tried together. If convicted and sentenced on all counts, Laron Gilbert faces a maximum sentence of 189 years to life. Hershel Hale faces a maximum sentence of 151 years to life. Shadihia Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of 78 years to life.
The three defendants are scheduled to return to court on March 8, 2024, for entry of plea. Out of respect for the victims, the families, and the defendants, I will not provide any comments on the facts of the case. The facts will be presented in court.
Contact: damedia@acgov.org
###
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is one of California’s largest prosecutors’ offices and is led by Alameda County’s first Black woman District Attorney, Pamela Price. Price brings her vision to this office to fairly administer justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities for every person who steps foot in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code. Price has been recognized as one of the most progressive prosecutors through her forward-thinking, innovative strategies to interrupt cycles of violence and crime and bring change to a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. Follow Madam DA on Twitter and Facebook @AlamedaCountyda.