OAKLAND — The suspect in a triple homicide has been convicted, ending a prosecution that spanned greater than six years.
Antonio Durant, 33, was convicted of three counts of second diploma homicide within the deaths of Gino Houchins, 21, of Vallejo, and Marcus Fuller Jr., 29, and Dante Johnson, 31, each of Oakland. The three had been fatally shot simply earlier than 9 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2019 within the 1000 block of Heart Road in Oakland. Two weeks after the murders, Durant was arrested after a high-speed chase within the Oakland hills.
Jurors additionally convicted Durant of enhancements for private use of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of the homicide weapon, courtroom data present. Durant was linked to the capturing by clothes he allegedly discarded afterwards, which contained his DNA, in response to courtroom data. The motive for the capturing was much less clear, however prosecutors alleged that Durant was seen speaking to the three victims simply earlier than the capturing.
In courtroom filings, prosecutors additionally pointed to 2 notes left behind by Durant throughout a suicide try at Santa Rita Jail. In one of many notes, entitled “Victim,” Durant proclaimed his innocence and denied even being on the scene. The opposite, entitled “Passion” and signed by Durant, stated that he believed he was in peril.
“First and foremost, I am so sorry for what happened to those men. I’m not a gang member like them,” Durant wrote. He stated Johnson known as him over to speak after which accused his mom of telling those who Fuller was a “snitch,” which Durant denied was true. Copies of each letters had been filed in courtroom.
“We started arguing and (Fuller) said that he’s gonna kill me and my mom for telling everybody he is a snitch,” the letter says. It later provides, “He then began to reach down so I guessed he may have a gun and I was scared for my mother’s life … I don’t remember what happened. I have so much remorse for what happened and I’m so sorry.”
For those who or somebody you realize is scuffling with emotions of melancholy or suicidal ideas, the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline presents free, round the clock assist, data and sources for assist. Attain the lifeline at 988 or see the web site at 988Lifeline.org.
