Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Coroner’s inquest jury determines death of Pleasant Hill man was a suicide

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the September 28, 2020 death of 46-year-old Jeremy Robert Waring of Pleasant Hill. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.

The coroner’s jury verdict came after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Laura Pagey.

According to the Pleasant Hill Police Department, on Sept. 21, 2020, officers received reports of an armed person at a residence. Officers arrived to find a person driving away from the scene. When the officers tried to make a traffic stop, Waring started shooting at them.

He then drove behind Pleasant Hill Elementary School where he attempted to commit suicide with the firearm.

Officials say the suspect was taken to a hospital to receive medical attention for his injuries.

No officers or community members were injured during the incident.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury determines 2020 death of El Sobrante man was a suicide

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Richmond police ended their pursuit of Trottier on Amend Road on July 23, 2020. Photos: RPD

Following vehicle pursuit by Richmond police

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the July 23, 2020 death of 53-year-old Steven Kenneth Trottier of El Sobrante. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

Following reports of a man with a gun, Richmond police responded and a vehicle pursuit of Trottier ensued. He stopped his car on Amend Road and died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

A July 23, 2020 post at 9:04 p.m. on the Richmond Police Department’s Twitter feed read, “Richmond police officers responded to the 5000 block of Amend Rd. following a report of a man with a gun. The incident has been resolved and there is no risk to the public. Please avoid the area while the investigation continues.”

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury determines 2019 in-custody death of Clayton man was an accident

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the August 18, 2019 death of 35-year-old Benito Stefano Carrasco of Clayton. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident. (See related article)

Carrasco was arrested by the Clayton Police Department and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) on August 15, 2019. He was being held on charges that include burglary, grand theft, possession of stolen goods, possession of burglary tools, shoplifting, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.

On Sunday, August 18, 2019, at about 11:20 PM, a Deputy Sheriff escorted a nurse to Carrasco’s cell. They discovered him unresponsive on his bed.

Medical aid was immediately rendered. Additional medical staff at the jail responded and continued life saving measures until the fire department arrived. Carrasco was later pronounced deceased at the scene and the in-custody death protocol was invoked.

The Coroner’s Jury reached the 10-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in all fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Death of man shot by police in Richmond was at “hands of another person, other than by accident”

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Suspect’s van rams Oakland Police car on April 16, 2020 injuring two officers. Richmond PD video screenshot.

After pointing gun at police, rammed his car into theirs, injuring two Oakland officers

CORONER’S INQUEST JURY FINDING

By Jimmy Lee, Public Affairs Director, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Deceased kidnapping suspect Juan Ayon-Barraza. Photo by Vallejo PD

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 reached a finding in the April 16, 2020 death of 24-year-old Juan Carlos Ayon-Barraza of Vacaville. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

A suspect in the shooting of a Vallejo woman and dumping her body in the Oakland Hills, Ayon-Barraza led police on a chase to Richmond. The suspect pointed his firearm at pursuing officers. Multiple Oakland police officers and a Richmond police officer fired their weapons in defense of their and/or other lives. Simultaneously, the suspect vehicle crossed over into traffic on South 37th Street and Stege Ave. and collided with an Oakland police vehicle. (See Richmond PD video and related article for more details)

Two Oakland police officers were injured during the collision, both considered moderate and non-life threatening. The suspect sustained a fatal gunshot wound during this incident. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

An Oakland Police Officer on the ground in front of the suspect’s van after being one of two struck when he rammed their cars.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Coroner’s inquest jury finds both El Sobrante, Antioch men’s in-custody deaths were accidents

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced Friday, May 28, 2021 that a coroner’s jury reached a finding in the November 17, 2020 death of 30-year-old Ezekiel James McCoy of El Sobrante. The finding of the jury is that the death was an accident. (See related article)

McCoy sustained injuries during a fight with other inmates at the West County Detention Facility. After being treated and cleared by medical staff at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, he was placed in a negative air flow room at the Martinez Detention Facility pending the result of a COVID-19 test. He was checked on throughout the day and last checked at 4:23 PM. About nine minutes later, deputies found McCoy unresponsive.

The coroner’s jury, which heard two inquests on Friday, also reached a finding in the October 7, 2020 death of 31-year-old Kentreal Julius Irving of Antioch. The finding of the jury is that the death was an accident. (See related article)

Irving jumped to his death off the Highway 242 overpass while fleeing from Sheriff’s Deputies.  At that time, Sheriff’s Deputies believed Irving to be from Concord.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdicts in both inquests after hearing the testimony of witnesses. The hearing officer for the McCoy inquest was Matthew Guichard; the hearing officer for the Irving inquest was Laura Pagey.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

 

Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury to hear cases in deaths of El Sobrante, Concord men May 28            

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

In accordance with the Contra Costa County Chiefs of Police Association Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston will hold an inquest into the death of 30-year-old Ezekiel McCoy of El Sobrante. This incident occurred on November 17, 2020 in Contra Costa County. The attempted murder suspect was killed while a county jail inmate during a fight while waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. (See related article)

That same day there will also be an inquest into the death 31-year-old Kentreal Irving of Concord. This incident occurred on October 7, 2020 in Contra Costa County. Irving jumped to his death off Hwy 242 overpass while fleeing Sheriff’s Deputies. (See related article)

Both proceedings will convene on May 28, 2021 at 8:30 AM at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Department 23, Room 200, Martinez, California. The inquest for McCoy will take place in the morning, while the one for Irving will happen in the afternoon.

The purpose of the inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is to present the facts of the incident to a jury for their deliberation and finding on the manner of death.

The inquest is open to the public and members of the media are invited to attend. However, no photographs or video and audio recordings may be taken during the proceedings.

The inquest will be held in-person. Face coverings are mandatory at the proceedings and state mandated social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Coroner’s jury rules in 2020 deaths of Pittsburg, Antioch men while county jail inmates

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury on Friday, April 30, 2021 reached a finding in the September 24, 2020 death of 32-year-old Levele Lee Williams of Pittsburg. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident. Williams was injured after being assaulted by inmates at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was taken to a local hospital. Williams apparently suffered from complications during surgery and was later pronounced deceased while at the hospital. (See related article)

The coroner’s jury, which heard two inquests on Friday, also reached a finding in the October 17, 2020 death of 42-year-old Gregory Lane Lynds of Antioch. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide. Lynds had been arrested for elder abuse. (See related article)

The coroner’s jury reached the verdicts in both inquests after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officers, Laura Pagey and Matthew Guichard.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes and ast the hands of another person, other than by accident.

 

 

Coroner’s Jury rules on 2019 deaths of Brentwood man during police chase in Antioch, Walnut Creek man in West County jail

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a Coroner’s Jury on Friday, April 16, 2021 reached a finding in the July 18, 2019 death of 21-year-old Omar Jalal Harb of Brentwood. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.  (See related article)

The Coroner’s Jury, which heard two inquests today, also reached a finding the October 16, 2019 death of 72-year-old Enrique Camberos Pina of Walnut Creek. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.  (See related article)

The Coroner’s Jury reached the verdicts in both inquests after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding:  accident;  suicide; natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Sheriff-Coroner to hold inquests into 2019 deaths of Brentwood, Walnut Creek men April 16   

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Brentwood man died from crash of stolen car during Antioch police chase, Walnut Creek man was killed in the West County jail

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

In accordance with the Contra Costa County Chiefs’ of Police Association Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston will hold an inquest into the death of 21-year-old Omar Jalal Harb of Brentwood. He died after crashing a stolen car he was driving during a police pursuit. This incident occurred on July 18, 2019 in Contra Costa County. (See related article)

That same day there will also be an inquest into the death of 72-year-old Enrique Camberos Pina of Walnut Creek. Arrested for child molestation, Pina was killed while in the West County Detention Facility in Richmond. This incident occurred on October 16, 2019 in Contra Costa County. (See related article)

Both proceedings will convene on April 16, 2021 at 8:30 AM at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Department 23, Room 200, Martinez, CA. The inquest for Harb will take place in the morning, while the one for Pina will happen in the afternoon.

The purpose of the inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is to present the facts of the incident to a jury for their deliberation and finding on the manner of death.

The inquest is open to the public and members of the media are invited to attend. However, no photographs or video may be taken during the proceedings.

The inquest will be held in-person. Face coverings are mandatory at the proceedings and state mandated social distancing guidelines will be followed.

 

Suspicious death of North Richmond man in Tuesday fire classified as a homicide

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff

The autopsy to determine the cause of death for Virillio Patino-Cruz whose body was found in a North Richmond house fire Tuesday, took place Wednesday. The cause of death of the 23-year-old North Richmond man is listed as carbon dioxide intoxication due to smoke inhalation. The Investigation Division has now classified the case as a homicide. (See related article)

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.