OAKLAND — In the midst of his homicide trial, a Bay Space man agreed to a 15-year jail time period and a manslaughter conviction, fairly than the potential life sentence he would have confronted if convicted, court docket information present.
William Hommert, 26, pleaded no contest to manslaughter within the taking pictures demise of 24-year-old Lance Barr. Hommert can be formally sentenced on June 15.
Hommert and Barr have been in the course of a battle over Hommert’s girlfriend when Barr was shot, in line with prosecutors, who pointed to textual content messages the place Hommert advised the girl he didn’t like “Remics,” referring to Barr’s nickname. Barr was shot and killed in October 2020, within the 2100 block of MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland.
Authorities say an SUV containing Hommert, his co-defendant Trevor Simpson, and a 3rd man was seen doing “predatory laps” round the place Barr was shortly earlier than the taking pictures, and that Hommert exited the car and walked as much as Barr earlier than opening fireplace. Hommert’s legal professional mentioned initially of the trial that police have been fast to pin the crime on Hommert and rushed to judgment.
Simpson was initially charged with homicide, however agreed to a plea cope with a significant selection: face a life sentence for second-degree homicide, or testify in opposition to Hommert and take a manslaughter deal. He selected to testify, telling jurors that he spent the day hanging out with pals in Alameda, however ended up in a car with Hommert, who noticed Barr as they have been driving by way of Oakland.
“He tried to shoot (Barr) and it didn’t work so he racked the slide again and shot thrice,” Simpson testified, later including, “I used to be scared.”
Simpson’s testimony will cut back his time period to 6 years in state jail, fairly than a possible sentence of 15 years to life, court docket information present.