Arraignment postponed for suspect in Bailey’s shooting

Unidentified supporters of Devaughndre Broussard leave his arraignment on murder charges in Alameda Superior Court, Tuesday, August 7, 2007 in Oakland, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/The Oakland Tribune)

Unidentified supporters of Devaughndre Broussard leave his arraignment on murder charges in Alameda Superior Court, Tuesday, August 7, 2007 in Oakland, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/The Oakland Tribune)

By Chris Metinko, Chauncey Bailey Project

The defense lawyer for the 20-year-old accused of killing Oakland Post Editor Chauncey Bailey asked today for his client’s arraignment to be postponed until next month so his client can decide on his legal options, which could include firing his attorney.

The attorney, LeRue Grim, made the request — which was granted by the court — to delay Devaughndre Broussard’s arraignment hearing until Jan. 24.

Grim told reporters outside of court his client is being told by some people associated with Your Black Muslim Bakery, where Broussard was a handyman, to fire him and get a new attorney.

“Some people are talking to him,” Grim said. “They’re telling him to fire me and get another attorney. They’re saying they could get the charge down to manslaughter.“

Broussard is charged with murder in connection with the Aug. 2 slaying of Bailey. He was arrested the following day in a raid on the bakery.

Last month, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert McGuiness found there was enough evidence and ordered Broussard to trial. McGuiness came to that conclusion after listening to two tape recordings of phone calls Broussard made from Santa Rita jail, as well as a taped police interview in which Broussard confessed to the murder and several witnesses who said they saw the shooting.

Grim tried to argue at the preliminary hearing the tape recording of Broussard’s confession to police should not be admitted into evidence in the case because his client wasn’t properly given his rights.

Grim said at this morning’s post-preliminary hearing arraignment that he does not believe Broussard will fire him, but wants to give his client enough time to think it over.

“He’s just thinking it over,” said Grim, adding it was Broussard who told him about the possibility of getting a new lawyer. “I insisted he think it over.”