TBS Today, Oct. 13
Two updates from court for you today as we head into the weekend.
- An Alameda County judge has dismissed one of five felony counts against OPD Detective Phong Tran, citing insufficient legal grounds for attempted bribery allegations related to a murder case from 2011.
- EXCLUSIVE: A man who sexually assaulted his teenage neighbor in Berkeley in 2010, and evaded capture in Mexico for more than a decade, was quietly convicted in an Oakland courtroom last week. We have the scoop.
Read the full stories below.
Man gets 40 years after rape of girl next door, escape to Mexico
Police wrote that Omar Sosa Arenal lived next door to the 16-year-old girl for two years and had a “clear view to her bedroom.”
Emilie Raguso
Phong Tran case: Judge drops 1 of 5 misconduct charges
Judge Scott Patton said the DA’s office failed to establish corrupt intent on Phong Tran’s part in relation to an attempted bribery charge.
Emilie Raguso
Also, for those who don't follow us on Twitter: Shortly before 8 p.m. Friday, UCPD said it would be "enhancing our security presence" on the UC Berkeley campus due to "heightened tensions around the world."
UCPD says "there is no credible or direct threat" to UC Berkeley but that it would be "prudent to be proactive" by having a more visible presence.
We'll be on the lookout for any updates on that subject.
Until then, we're wishing everyone a safe and restful weekend.
In other news: Something fun on Saturday
Discover the Science Behind the “Ring of Fire” Eclipse on October 14
On Saturday, October 14, a partial eclipse will be visible across a large swath of the country, including right here in the Bay Area!
In case you missed it
Pamela Price recall team kicks off signature collection
Recall organizers say they have until March 5, 2024, to collect more than 73,000 signatures, which they expect will cost about $2 million.
Emilie Raguso
Berkeley approves Flock license plate readers for police
Police said the license plate readers, ALPRs for short, may not be installed until early next year due to “workflow issues” for BPD and Flock Safety.
Emilie Raguso
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