Benicia Knapps Plead No Contest to Second Degree Murder Charge and A 19 Years to Life Sentence for the Murder of Blake Mohs
Members of Moh’s Family Approve Plea Deal and Were Present in Court During Negotiation with the Defense and When The Plea was Entered
April 23, 2024
Oakland, CA—Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announces that the prosecution and defense reached a plea agreement in the case of People v. Benicia Knapps and David Guillory for the death of Blake Mohs. The plea deal covers both defendants and a gun enhancement charge against Ms. Knapps.
Defendant Benicia Knapps plead no contest to a Second Degree Murder Charge and a Gun Enhancement, and a negotiated sentence of 19-years-to-life in state prison. Her co-Defendant David Guillory pled no contest to Child Abuse, Accessory to a Robbery and Evading an Officer. He will receive 7 years and 4 months in state prison.
On April 18, 2023, Blake Mohs was working as a Loss Prevention Officer at the Home Depot store in Pleasanton and was shot to death by defendant Knapps after retrieving an item she stole from the store. “Blake Mohs was murdered for nothing more than doing his job,” said DA Pamela Price. “My condolences go out to his family, friends, coworkers and the community who are still grieving his death. While nothing can be done to undo this senseless tragedy, I hope that holding these two defendants accountable for taking Blake’s life will be an important step in the lifetime healing journey for his family and friends, and they will be able to move beyond their grief and trauma.”
The DA’s office and its Victim-Witness Advocates have been in continuous contact with Blake Moh’s family throughout the court proceedings over this past year. In open court, the prosecutor stated on the record that the resolution occurred with the blessing of the next of kin, who were present in court during the negotiations with the defense and when the plea was entered.
Benicia Knapps and David Guillory will be sentenced on June 6, 2024, at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.
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 Y. 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 Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and @AlamedaCountyda on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.