Jan 30, 2023 | Verdicts
On January 26, 2023, a jury found Donovan Johnson guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Chrystian Negrete-Valdez, an innocent bystander in a fatal 2018 shooting, and guilty of assault with a semi-automatic firearm upon Leandro Carrera.
On Aug. 11, 2018, the defendant and his friends were walking along International Boulevard in Oakland around 2 a.m. As they approached the intersection of 46th Avenue and International, the defendant and his friends approached Carrera, who was waiting at the bus stop alone. Sensing that something was awry, Carrera ran and hid in the entry way of an apartment complex nearby. The defendant and his friends lingered for several minutes near the bus stop Carrera was originally waiting at before they proceeded to cross the street. Carrera stepped out of his hiding place upon seeing the Defendant and his friends crossing the street. Carrera was only able to take a few steps before the Defendant fired his gun 10 times in Carrera’s direction, striking him in the ankle, arm, and ribcage area.
One of the shots fired by the Defendant traveled over a block down International and struck Negrete-Valdez, an innocent bystander, in the heart. Negrete-Valdez was killed instantly.
The defendant was identified through surveillance videos and witness statements as the shooter.
Johnson faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
DDA Elaine Ma prosecuted the case, with aide from Inspectors Phil Green and Bruce Christensen, along with Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.
Jan 17, 2023 | Verdicts
On November 15, 2022, a jury found defendant Dana Rivers guilty of three counts of first-degree murder during the 2016 triple-murder of a family, Charlotte Reed, Patricia Wright, and their 19-year-old son Benny Toto Diambu-Wright. The jury also found Dana Rivers guilty of arson of an inhabited dwelling and of special circumstance of more than one offense of murder. On January 6, 2023, a judge found Dana Rivers was legally sane at the time she committed these crimes.
On November 11, 2016, just after midnight, Oakland Police arrived on Dunbar Drive in Oakland after reports of gunshots. Once officers arrived on scene, they found a male victim lying in front of a home, suffering from gunshot wounds. While canvassing the scene for suspects, an officer heard a loud bang coming from the garage of the home. Moments later, the defendant walked out of the home, covered in blood and smelling of gasoline. After searching her, they found ammunition and knives in her pockets.
The garage had been set on fire by Rivers in an attempt to cover up the crimes inside. Inside the home, officers located another two victims in a bedroom, Reed and Wright, who had been both stabbed and shot in their bedroom. Reed had two gunshot wounds and over 40 stab wounds to her body. Wright had two gunshot wounds and two stab wounds to her body.
It is believed that defendant Rivers was motivated by her allegiance to an all-female motor club, the Deviants. The Deviants motor club was associated with the Hells Angels motor gang. Reed, one of the victims, had briefly joined the motor club earlier in 2016, but left soon thereafter. The president of the Deviants and Reed ended on bad terms. Rivers was the “enforcer” of the club. Following the murders, the president of the Deviants promoted Rivers to the position of Sergeant of Arms.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
DDA Abigail Mulvihill prosecuted the case, with aide from Inspector Jason Turner and Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.
Dec 27, 2022 | Verdicts
On December 8, 2022, a jury found defendant Rafael Borgesdosre guilty of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 14 years old and exhibiting harmful sexual material to a minor with sexual intent.
In September of 2018, Jane Doe, then 11 years old, stayed the night at her aunt and uncle’s apartment to help care for her younger cousins while her aunt was out. During the night, her uncle, the defendant, got into bed alongside her and touched her inappropriately while showing her a pornographic video on his cell phone. Defendant also asked Jane Doe if she wanted to try the sex acts shown in the video with him. The victim disclosed the incident to her sister the next day. Both girls informed their mother of the incident in mid-2019.
The defendant is expected to be sentenced on January 24, 2023.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Cathryn Dalton with help from Inspector Jason Turner and Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.
Dec 27, 2022 | Verdicts
On December 8, 2022, a jury found defendant Rafael Borgesdosre guilty of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 14 years old and exhibiting harmful sexual material to a minor with sexual intent.
In September of 2018, Jane Doe, then 11 years old, stayed the night at her aunt and uncle’s apartment to help care for her younger cousins while her aunt was out. During the night, her uncle, the defendant, got into bed alongside her and touched her inappropriately while showing her a pornographic video on his cell phone. Defendant also asked Jane Doe if she wanted to try the sex acts shown in the video with him. The victim disclosed the incident to her sister the next day. Both girls informed their mother of the incident in mid-2019.
The defendant is expected to be sentenced on January 24, 2023.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Cathryn Dalton with help from Inspector Jason Turner and Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.
Dec 27, 2022 | Verdicts
On November 7, 2022 Judge David Pereda found defendant Erick Rossi guilty of one misdemeanor count of 243.4(e)(1) after a bench trial.
On October 24, 2021, the victim woke up to unwanted sexual advances from the defendant. He was kissing her, touched her bare breast, and slid his hand down her pants. The victim was asleep at a friend’s house on her couch.
When she woke up to the defendant’s unwanted sexual advances, she sat up and yelled at him. She got off the couch and alerted a friend regarding the incident. Livermore Police were called.
The victim sent the defendant’s girlfriend messages on social media, which were provided to police. Witnesses present confirmed that they were sleeping and woken up by the victim yelling at Rossi.
Rossi denied the allegations, and said he had grabbed the victim to make room on the couch for himself. He was a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the offense.
The defendant is expected to be sentenced on Monday, November 14, 2022 and faces 90 days in the county jail and sex offender registration pursuant to PC 290.
DDA Victoria Carter prosecuted the case, with aide from Inspectors Pickett, Rhee, and Elder.
