Archive for 2010

Judge rules fraud evidence OK for Bey murder trial
OAKLAND — A judge agreed Thursday that a prosecutor can use evidence of financial fraud from other cases as well as “other bad acts” against Yusuf Bey IV in his upcoming triple murder trial. Bey IV, who headed the bakery, told associates Devaughndre Broussard and Antonie Mackey they would reap monetary rewards if in August 2007 they killed journalist Chauncey Bailey, who was writing about the bakery’s bankruptcy case, Deputy District Attorney Melissa Krum said.

Bakery associate accused in witness hit plot appears in court on shooting charge
OAKLAND — A former Your Black Muslim Bakery associate suspected in a plot to kill witnesses in the Chauncey Bailey murder case appeared in court Monday on charges that he fired into an inhabited building in 2009. Gary Popoff, 42, was charged last month with shooting into a building in the 5800 block of San Pablo Avenue — not far from where the bakery’s headquarters once stood. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Member of Your Black Muslim Bakery sentenced to life
OAKLAND — The first member of Your Black Muslim Bakery convicted of one of the gruesome crimes that helped destroy the organization more than three years ago was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Superior Court Judge Thomas Reardon gave Richard Lewis, 26, a former high school football star in San Francisco, the stiffest possible sentence.

Chauncey Bailey murder case: Most evidence in plot to kill witnesses can be used
OAKLAND — Most of the evidence collected during an investigation of a suspected plot to kill witnesses in the Chauncey Bailey murder case can be used against co-defendants Yusuf Bey IV and Antoine Mackey, a judge ruled late Thursday.
Commentary: Case against Bey attorney must be pursued
Commentary: The allegations surrounding defense attorney Lorna Patton Brown, which have now been publicly known for nearly six months, go to the heart of the integrity of our judicial system. They must be investigated with alacrity and, if justified, she must be quickly charged.
Lawyer in Chauncey Bailey case is resigning from practice of law
OAKLAND — Lawyer Lorna Patton Brown is resigning from the practice of law after being implicated in a plot by her former client, Yusuf Bey IV, to kill witnesses in the Chauncey Bailey murder case, sources said Wednesday. It was unclear when her resignation will take effect.

Trial in Chauncey Bailey murder case begins
OAKLAND — More than three years after the murder of journalist Chauncey Bailey, the trial of two men charged with his killing began — slowly — Monday in a courtroom just two blocks from where he fell in a hail of shotgun blasts. Although jury selection isn’t expected until January, Judge Thomas M. Reardon is considering several motions that could shape the direction of the case.

Part of Longmire’s amended civil rights lawsuit can proceed
Much of an amended civil rights lawsuit filed by the former Oakland homicide detective who led the oft-criticized probe of journalist Chauncey Bailey’s 2007 slaying can go forward, a federal judge has ordered.

Judge delays start of Chauncey Bailey murder trial
OAKLAND — A judge today delayed for one week the start of a trial of two men accused in the 2007 slayings of journalist Chauncey Bailey and two other men. Former Your Black Muslim Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV and co-defendant Antoine Mackey will now go to trial before Judge Thomas Reardon next Monday.

Judge rejects making quick decision on moving Chauncey Bailey trial
OAKLAND — A judge Friday rejected a request that he rule immediately on a change-of-venue motion in the murder case of journalist Chauncey Bailey and two other men. Superior Court Judge Thomas Reardon ruled last week that he would not determine if the trial had to be moved until after jury selection. He reiterated that position Friday.