Oakland DA Pamela Price's Shocking Move: Robbery & Murder Trial Charges Reduced

Alameda County District Attorney (DA) Pamela Price, the target of a recall campaign, has made a surprising decision in reducing special circumstance enhancements for Teaunte Bailey, 28, and Demetrius Britton, 58, as their murder trial begins. The defendants are charged with the murder of Pak Ho, a 75-year-old man, during an alleged robbery in Oakland's Adams Point neighborhood on March 9, 2021.

 

UPDATE: @AlamedaCountyDA drops special circumstances against Teaunte Bailey & Demetrius “Elbert” Britton (bald) as murder trial begins in deadly robbery & attack of Pak Chung Ho in Oakland’s Adams Point. Bailey shoved victim & Britton was getaway driver, per @oaklandpoliceca pic.twitter.com/Te4bcpDlBN

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) August 7, 2023

 

The decision to dismiss enhancements that could result in longer prison terms for both defendants if convicted is reportedly consistent with campaign promises made by Price, who is facing the beginning stages of a recall effort per The Intercept.

Deputy District Attorney Peter McGuiness moved to dismiss special circumstances enhancements and allegations that both Bailey and Britton have prior convictions amounting to a strike under California law, but provided no further details as reported by Mercury News. Bailey has prior strike convictions for burglary, while Britton has prior robbery convictions, according to court records.

Electronic monitoring data from an ankle monitor Bailey was wearing at the time is expected to play a vital role in the case, putting him at the scene of Ho's killing and another home invasion robbery three weeks earlier.

After being elected in 2022 on a reform platform, Price has been the focus of strong criticism from opponents who argue her reform policies have worsened crime in the region as reported by The Intercept. In her campaign, Price promised to end the use of the death penalty, stop charging minors under 18 as adults, establish a conviction integrity unit, and expand services for victims of gun violence.

Since taking office, Price's opponents have blamed her policies for a rise in crime, with the Oakland Police Officers' Association being particularly vocal in their criticism. However, some argue that the attacks on reform-minded prosecutors like Price are part of a backlash to criminal punishment reforms and fearmongering over crime by police and their allies.

Two prosecutors resigned from Price's office in recent months due to her decisions on lenient sentencing in cases involving child fatalities, sparking internal and public criticism. Several other prosecutors and investigators have left Price's office since her election, with some of them moving on to work for San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who is seen as being closer to police.

In the wake of Chesa Boudin's recall in San Francisco, Alameda County voters may approach a recall effort against Price with more skepticism, questioning whether a recall would offer any real solutions. While recalling Boudin did not make San Francisco cleaner or safer, assessing the success of Price's reform policies requires looking beyond the immediate criticism to the broader impact on criminal justice reform and the needs of the community.