Crime and Law

Menace to Society: Why Many Young Black Men are Accused of Being in Gangs

California Officials Debate Least Inhumane Way to Kill

The current method for executing people in California is as such: First pentobarbital, an anesthetic, knocks the person unconscious; next, pancuronium bromide, a muscle relaxant, paralyzes the body; and then potassium chloride, whose most common uses are as fertilizer and for state-sponsored killing ... More >>

Victor Flores, "Little Creeper," Charged With Trying to Kill Federal Agents in Gang Sweep

A federal grand jury in San Francisco has again indicted 20-year-old Victor Flores, a documented gang member accused of shooting and wounding three federal agents in May. Flores, who is a member of the 500 Block/C Street Gang, is one of 13 suspected gang members arrested on May 3 in connection to a ... More >>

More Gunfire Rattles San Francisco, Two People Shot in Western Addition

 San Francisco police are investigating yet another double shooting this week, which injured two people in their early 20s. Officer Carlos Manfredi tells us that cops heard shots fired about 12:32 p.m. in the area of Steiner and Eddy streets. They "saturated the area" until they found the two v ... More >>

Edmundo Sandoval Identified as Man Killed in Double Shooting Last Night; Homicide No. 45 (Update)

Update (2:27 p.m.): Medical authorities identified the man shot to death as 26-year-old Edmundo Sandoval of San Francisco. Original story (8:51 a.m): Gun violence broke out in the city's Portola neighborhood last night, killing one and critically injuring another man, making it the city's fourth hom ... More >>

Visitacion Valley Hit With More Gunfire Last Night, Just Two Blocks From Double Homicide

Just eight hours after two men were killed in a rowdy fight yesterday afternoon, more shots were fired in Visitacion Valley, capping off a three-day spree of gunfire near the Sunnydale Housing Projects. Nobody was hurt in last night's drive-by, however, the crime was yet another indication that viol ... More >>

Alleged Muni Robber Doubles His Displeasure

An alleged robber was busted twice -- the second time while he was already sitting in jail. San Francisco police say they arrested 21-year-old Devon Williams earlier this week after recognizing him from a surveillance video from a Muni robbery back in January. On July 25, investigators drove to the& ... More >>

Harvey Milk Club Asks Mayor Ed Lee to Leave Ross Mirkarimi Alone Already

Turns out, Tami Bryant and the inmates over at San Francisco County Jail aren't the only ones who want everyone to leave Sheriff-in-limbo Ross Mirkarimi alone.  The Harvey Milk Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Democratic Club this week passed a resolution demanding Mayor Ed Lee let Mirkari ... More >>

Gary Smith Identified as Man Killed in SOMA; Two Arrested

San Francisco police caught the two men who they say shot and killed 25-year-old Gary Smith on Friday night. On Saturday, Union City police arrested Anthony Pratt, 27, of Union City, and Trumillion Ballard, 24, of San Francisco on suspicion of murder. Both were booked into San Francisco County Jail. ... More >>

San Francisco Court Workers Explain Today's Strike

Court workers who walked off the job this morning are gathered in front of the San Francisco Superior Court House, where they plan to picket throughout the day. SF Weekly correspondent Jeff Sandstoe caught up with some of the nearly 200 demonstrators, who are being represented by the Service Employe ... More >>

Consumers to Get More Than $1 Billion From Settlement in LCD Price-Fixing Scam

Did you ever get a strange feeling that you might be getting ripped off when buying your last flat-screen TV, monitor, or laptop? Well, that's probably because you did.Attorney General Kamala Harris announced today that her office, along with seven other attorneys general, got a $571-million settlem ... More >>

Wilfredo Reyes Arrested in North Carolina in Connection With Bologna Family Murders

Authorities in North Carolina today arrested Wilfredo Reyes, the alleged MS-13 gang member who was in the car with Edwin Ramos the night Tony Bologna and two of his sons were murdered in June 2008.From the start, Ramos, who was convicted of first degree murder in May, claimed that Reyes pulled the t ... More >>

Another Journalist Robbed at Gunpoint in Oakland

Journalists over in Oakland are making headlines while trying to get the headlines thanks of a rash of robberies targeting news reporters and cameramen out in the field.On Monday, an Oakland Tribune photographer was out on assignment when she was held up at gunpoint and robbed of her laptop and came ... More >>

Man Killed Near Sunnydale Housing Projects; Homicide No. 39

An 21-year-old man was shot to death in Visitacion Valley last night, according to police. The man was standing outside the front of a house on the 1700 block of Sunnydale at about 7:18 p.m. when an unknown person shot him in the head and in the chest, says Officer Gordon Shyy. The victim was taken ... More >>

Ross Mirkarimi Hearing: Suspended Sheriff Testifies Before Ethics Commission

Sheriff-in-limbo Ross Mirkarimi took the stand Thursday evening in his official misconduct hearing, where he again expressed remorse for his "act of violence" against his wife on New Year's Eve.  As expected, Mayor Ed Lee's legal team took the opportunity to dig into Mirkarimi's conviction for ... More >>

Tony Harper Identified as Man Killed in Double Shooting; Homicide No. 37

Medical authorities confirmed that 27-year-old Tony Harper was killed in a double shooting in the city's Bayview neighborhood on Friday night. Police say there was a second man who was shot and remains at San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to police, the two men ... More >>

Man Killed in Sunnydale; Homicide No. 36

A 21-year-old man was shot to death last night near the Sunnydale housing projects, the second one in that neighborhood this week.According to Officer Albie Esparza, police were called to the 1800 block of Sunnydale just before 10 p.m. on reports of a man shot. When they arrived, they found the vict ... More >>

Senate Attempts to Reassess Solitary Confinement

Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights held a hearing to reassess the consequences of solitary confinement in prisons. The hearing opened with a video, playing testimony from a young woman whose 17-year-old brother committed suicide after ... More >>

Murder, She Wrote

Edwin Ramos Sentenced to Life in Prison

Edwin Ramos, the 25-year-old convicted on three counts of first degree murder, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. This morning, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Charles Haines sentenced him to three consecutive life terms, without the possibility of parole. This comes about a mont ... More >>

Deon Walker Identified as Teen Killed Over Memorial Day Weekend; Homicide No. 28

Authorities have identified the teen who was shot to death in the Bayview this weekend as 18-year-old Deon Walker. At about 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, neighbors called police, saying they had heard several gunshots in the area. Police arrived to the unit block of Baldwin Court where they found Walker de ... More >>

Court Workers Say They Will Strike if They Have to

Court employees empowered union leaders yesterday to authorize a strike if need be, saying they are tired of the dead-end negotiations with management. Local court workers, who are represented by SEIU Local 1021, voted 95 percent in favor of calling a strike if there isn't some movement at the negot ... More >>

Police Want Public's Help Nabbing Serial Bank Robbers

San Francisco inspectors are asking that you keep an eye out for these suspects who are wanted in connection with several local bank robberies.The first robbery happened on April 30 at about 11:30 a.m. The suspect walked into a bank on the 300 block of Clay Street and demanded money from the teller. ... More >>

William Castillo Identified as Man Murdered in Visitaction Valley; Homicide No. 27

(Update 4 p.m.): The Medical Examiner has identified the man killed early this morning as 21-year-old William Castillo of San Francisco. (Original story 9:10 a.m.): A 23-year-old man was shot to death early this morning near the Sunnydale Housing Projects, according to police. Sgt. Daryl Fong said j ... More >>

Edwin Ramos Convicted of First Degree Murder in Bologna Family Killing

Edwin Ramos was convicted today of killing a San Francisco man and his two sons. The Superior Court jury, after a week of deliberation, found him guilty on three counts of first degree murder. The three month-long trial stemmed from the June 2008 shootings of Tony Bologna, 48, and his sons Michael, ... More >>

Another Civil Servant Accused of Domestic Violence

A Japanese diplomat based in San Francisco has been accused of not being so diplomatic when he allegedly beat his wife repeatedly, pushed her out of a car, and knocked her tooth out. According to press reports, 32-year-old Yoshiaki Nagaya, a San Bruno resident, appeared in court yesterday to answer ... More >>

Teen Sues Cyberbullies Over Phony Facebook Page

So much for Southern hospitality. A middle school student in the great state of Georgia is taking two of her classmates to court, claiming they used Facebook to humiliate and shame her. According to the complaint filed this week, the student says her classmates created a fake Facebook page, which th ... More >>

Feds Conduct Major Sweep of Violent Bay Area Street Gang, Three Shot

Federal authorities arrested dozens of local gang members today during a regional raid of two Peninsula-based street gangs, the 500 Block and the C Street Gang. As reported earlier this morning, three Homeland Security Agents were injured after being shot while making arrests in Petaluma related to ... More >>

Californians to Decide Whether to Abolish the Death Penalty

The Golden State will finally get a chance to kill the death penalty.A measure to abolish capital punishment in California qualified for the November ballot, Secretary of State Debra Bowen confirmed yesterday evening. The measure -- dubbed the SAFE California Act -- calls for doing away with death r ... More >>

Jaquan Morton Identified as Teen Shot to Death in Bayview

Authorities have identified the teen who was killed in a triple shooting in the city's Bayview neighborhood over the weekend as 17-year-old Jaquan Morton. Morton, a San Francisco resident, was shot in the chest Friday evening along with two other teens. Police say the other victims, ages 18 and 19, ... More >>

Binh Thai Luc Pleads Not Guilty to All Charges of Murdering Ingleside Family

Binh Thai Luc, the suspect accused of killing five people at an Ingleside home on March 23 appeared in court today where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Decked out in an orange sweatshirt and orange pants with a chain belt cuffing his hands at his waist, Luc, 35, slowly shook his head as Judg ... More >>

Lawrence Richardson Shot to Death in Western Addition; Homicide No. 18

Medical authorities have identified 21-year-old Lawrence Richardson as the man who was fatally shot last night as he walked out of a corner store on Eddy Street. Police said someone fire at Richardson, a San Francisco resident, as he stood on the sidewalk at the 1800 block of Eddy Street near Divisi ... More >>

Jahmad Karriem Identified as Man Shot in Ingleside; Homicide No. 17

​Medical Authorities have identified the man who was shot and killed late Sunday night as 20-year-old Jahmad Karriem. Police were called to the 300 block of Louisburgh Street at 11:33 p.m, and found Karriem shot in the chest.

How the Sheriff Came to This: Mirkarimi's Worst Decisions

Domestic Violence Groups Feature Ross Mirkarimi Quote in Spanish Billboards

​It doesn't matter how many times Ross Mirkarimi apologizes for his "arrogance and anger issues," women in San Francisco aren't ready to forgive -- or forget. And it will be hard for the now-suspended sheriff to forget his troubles as long as there are these billboards up to remind him of what he' ... More >>

Public Defender Says Drunk Drivers Didn't Get Fair Sobriety Tests

​Not many people would come to the defense of a convicted drunk driver. However, San Francisco's inebriated drivers might find themselves off the hook for their crime -- and if so, they have Public Defender Jeff Adachi to thank. Adachi today officially filed a legal challenge that accuses the San ... More >>

The Columbine Effect: Why Hollywood Is Keeping the Story Alive

Domestic Violence Groups Ask Mayor Ed Lee to Boot Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi from His Post

​Prosecutors might have let Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi off the hook with charges of abusing his wife, but women's groups across San Francisco aren't quite so ready to forgive. Today, a coalition of anti-domestic violence groups will march to City Hall, demanding that Mayor Ed Lee boot Mirkarimi from h ... More >>

Domestic Violence Billboard with Ross Mirkarimi Quote up for Everyone to See

You might notice a new billboard on the corner of Harrison and 10th streets during your commute today -- you may even recognize a face on it. A local domestic violence group unveiled its new Ross Mirkarimi-inspired billboard Thursday afternoon, which references Sheriff Mirkarimi's disturbing quote ... More >>

Rodney Pool Charged with Murdering Rebekah Wilson; Homicide No. 5

​Homicide investigators have arrested a 59-year-old man in connection with the murder of Rebekah Wilson, 37, at the Winsor Hotel earlier this month. According to police, officers were called to the hotel, located at 20 Sixth St., just before 7 p.m. on Feb. 2. When they arrived, they foun ... More >>

Domestic Violence Group to Feature Ross Mirkarimi Quote on Billboard

La Casa De Las Madres​When Ross Mirkarimi was elected sheriff, he had ambitious plans to influence the criminal justice system, although this billboard to the right probably isn't what he had in mind. However, after being charged with battery, endangering a child, and dissuading a witness, La Casa ... More >>

Ricky Leon Scott Accused of Murdering Man in Homeless Shelter

​Police say they arrested 63-year-old Ricky Leon Scott on suspicion of stabbing to death a 44-year-old man at a homeless shelter yesterday evening. According to Sgt. Daryl Fong, officers caught up with Scott about 10 minutes after the stabbing occurred at the Multi-Service Center South shelter in ... More >>

Donald Tosti, Marin Psychologist, Sent to Prison for Posession of "Very Graphic" Child Porn

​A San Rafael psychologist has been sent to prison for eight years after he was busted having child porn on his computer, which included disturbing depictions of rape scenes with very young children. Donald Tosti, 76, was convicted in San Francisco in September 2011, after he took his computer to ... More >>

Prison Break: Realignment Inmates Enter Rehabilitation in S.F.

Employee Allegedly Robs Own Store, Forgets Surveillance Camera Is on

Some people just don't make enough time for a square meal ​Here's a good one for dumbcrooks.comA woman working at a commercial store on the 2700 block of Mission Street had the brilliant idea of staging a fake robbery inside her own store. But her brilliance was quickly eclipsed by her idiocy when ... More >>

Rory Jones Identified as Man Shot to Death: Homicide No. 2

another man shot ​Update: (1 p.m.) Medical authorities identified the man who was shot to death last night as 30-year-old Rory Jones, an Oakland resident. Police told reporters that Jones was sitting in his car when the suspect approached him and asked him if he had any "weight" -- a street term f ... More >>

Ross Mirkarimi Update: Domestic Violence Groups Call on Sheriff to Resign

​Update 2:25 p.m.: Staff writer Joe Eskenazi was at City Hall and gave us a puzzling detail about this afternoon's press conference: Mirkarimi's wife, Eliana Lopez, stood in the crowd among reporters and anti-domestic violence advocates who were calling on her husband to resign as sheriff. Eskenaz ... More >>

Ross Mirkarimi Shocks Legal Scholars With Claim That Abuse Allegations Are "a Family Matter"

​Ross Mirkarimi is innocent. Of course he is -- he is innocent until proven guilty. It remains to be seen if District Attorney George Gascón will even  charge the sheriff with domestic abuse following a police report filed by Mirkarimi's neighbor. Regardless, the language Mirkarimi has used ... More >>

Frederick A. Dozier: Police Release Photo of Accused Mission District Rapist

Sexual Assault Suspect ​Mission District residents can take some comfort in knowing that the cops have indeed caught a suspect who they believe is responsible for three brutal sexual assaults over the last six months, police said. On Friday, police said they arrested 32-year-old Federick Dozier af ... More >>

San Francisco Rings in 2012 with No DUI-Related Deaths

​What better way to kick off the New Year than to just be alive? Police are thrilled to report that not one single person was killed in DUI-related accidents over the holidays, and that includes Christmas and New Years -- when people are expected to booze carelessly. Perhaps part of the reason nob ... More >>