Kevin Epps, the Bay Area filmmaker behind Straight Outta Hunters Point and executive editor of the San Francisco Bay View, is set to go on trial in San Francisco this week on a murder charge stemming from a 2016 shooting at his Glen Park home. The case has progressed through years of pretrial disputes and a 2019 re-arrest, remaining one of the city’s longest-running, high-profile criminal matters. Epps, 57, told reporters that the process feels surreal and painful, and said he’s trying to stay composed for the sake of his children.
Charges and court date
As first reported by Mission Local, prosecutors are pressing forward with a charge tied to the Oct. 24, 2016, death of Marcus Polk, with jury selection and trial proceedings slated to begin this week. The case traces back to Polk being found shot inside Epps’ Glen Park residence.
Prosecutors' evidence includes 3‑D reconstructions
Part of the state’s case relies on digital imagery and reconstructions developed for the investigation, materials that drew challenges in court in 2019. The San Francisco Bay View reported then that a three‑dimensional forensic model from prosecutors met stiff resistance from defense lawyers, who criticized the animation and delays in discovery.
Defense: It Was Self‑Defense
Defense attorneys say Polk forced his way into Epps’ home, acted erratically, and made threats before Epps fired; a defense trial brief argues the shooting was self‑defense. Mission Local reports the defense contends Epps fired from roughly 15 to 20 feet away and that witness accounts have shifted over time.
Court fights and representation
Procedural battles have marked the case. In 2019, a judge barred the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office from representing Epps because attorneys there had previously described the victim, and Epps spent weeks in custody following his 2019 re‑arrest. KQED covered the judge’s decision and rationale at the time.
Who Epps Is and Why the Case Resonates
Epps is a longtime local documentarian and community figure, and supporters say his prominence, including his role at the San Francisco Bay View, has made the prosecution a flashpoint in broader conversations about safety and race in San Francisco. This fall, the San Francisco Bay View noted that Epps received a regional Society of Professional Journalists award, underscoring the public profile at stake as the case goes to trial.
What to watch at trial
Key questions include how jurors assess witness credibility, whether the 3‑D reconstructions accurately reflect the scene, and how they weigh competing accounts of Polk’s actions the day he died. Local coverage and court filings show sharp disputes over evidence disclosure and the origins of the digital materials. KTVU and other outlets chronicled the original 2016 investigation and the years of procedural turns.
Legal implications
Epps is charged with murder and previously faced related weapons allegations; if convicted, penalties could be severe, with any sentence depending on the jury’s verdict and the degree of homicide proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Much of the public record is tied back to past hearings and sealed filings, so early trial days are expected to focus on the evidence that jurors can hear. The Express‑News summarized prior charges and pretrial rulings in 2019.
