Devin Williams faces 50 years to life in state prison when he’s convicted next month of the first-degree murders of 42-year-old Maria and 57-year-old Benison Tran, prosecutors said in a press release.
The killings occurred on Sept. 7, 2022. Williams, a deputy on the time, went to the couple's home within the 3100 block of Colebrook Lane and shot them along with his department-issued gun, in response to prosecutors.
Four other people, including a baby, were in the home on the time of the murders.
“We recognize that this terrible tragedy leaves a son without his parents and a community forever traumatized by this unacceptable and cruel home invasion attack on an unarmed and unsuspecting couple,” said District Attorney Pamela Price.
The 26-year-old former deputy had a romantic relationship with Maria Tran though she was legally married to and living with Benison Tran, in response to prosecutors.
The district attorney thanked the jury for his or her “diligent work in returning this guilty verdict.”
“I’d also prefer to thank our entire prosecution team, including our inspectors and victim-witness advocates, who worked diligently to secure the conviction and supply services to the victims' families, despite the extreme public scrutiny and questioning of our commitment to this case “” Price said, referring to her controversial decision to drop the special surcharges against Williams.
The amendments filed by the previous district attorney included a possible life sentence without parole.
Relatives of the murdered couple criticized the choice and accused Price of a soft approach to crime.
“We still consider that you just are making a sweetheart deal to guard a police officer and the Alameda County Sheriff's Department and to win the favor of the police associations who reiterate your competence as a district attorney, your failure to guard people from crime “, have questioned the politicization of your office,” the relatives wrote in a letter to the general public prosecutor's office following their decision.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 12 on the East Bay County Hall of Justice in Dublin.
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Originally published:
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