Court upholds hit man case against ex-politician
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A former Mendocino County politician found guilty of hiring a hit man to kill an opponent has lost a bid to overturn his conviction.
The San Francisco Chronicle says a state appeals court upheld Kenneth Rogers' 2009 conviction for attempted murder. The San Francisco court on Tuesday also upheld his sentence of 25 years to life.
Rogers' lawyer, John Nash, says his client was wrongly convicted and he'll appeal to the state Supreme Court
The Westport man is a former local water board member and Republican Party leader. He was convicted of hiring an ex-con to shoot Alan Simon, who backed his recall as water board chairman.
Simon was only grazed. The shooter, Richard Peacock, got 70 years to life.
Police say crime dropped in Oakland in May
OAKLAND. (AP) — Oakland police say new crime-fighting initiatives and assistance from other law enforcement agencies contributed to a drop in crime in May.
Police say violent crime was down 14 percent. Other crimes, including burglaries, robberies and property crimes were all down between 18 to 24 percent.
The decreases come as the department announced last week that it seized 92 firearms and arrested 60 people with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other agencies.
However, the Oakland Tribune reports that major crimes are up 19 percent this year compared to 2011. Homicides are also up 12 percent as other crimes including rape, robberies, burglaries and auto thefts are up between 22 to 34 percent through June 3.
San Pablo sued over deadly police shooting
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Pablo is being sued because police shot and killed a wanted parolee who pointed a gun at an officer during a chase.
The San Francisco Chronicle says the family of Akinlabi Minter contends he was "unlawfully executed" last year. His grandmother and five children filed a federal civil rights suit Tuesday in San Francisco. It names the city of San Pablo and the officer who shot him.
Police say the 33-year-old Minter was in a car stopped by police in January of 2011.
Police say he bolted, was Tasered and then shot after pointing a loaded gun at an officer.
James Fitzgerald, an attorney representing the city, says the shooting was justified.
Oakland police shoot and wound suspect
OAKLAND (AP) — Oakland Police say a man is expected to recover from his wounds following an officer-involved shooting.
The Oakland Tribune (http://bit.ly/MMteyy) reports that the shooting occurred Wednesday night in east Oakland after the officer got into a struggle with a 22-year-old suspect from San Lorenzo on already probation for a gun conviction.
Police said the suspect reached into his car to grab a gun after resisting the officer who was trying to handcuff him during a traffic stop.
Police said the officer shot the suspect in the side and leg as he was turning with the gun in his hand.
The suspect faces several charges including assault on a police officer, possession of a loaded weapon, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. His name has not been released.
