Clik here to view.
Despite intense interrogation, Blacknell’s story consistent
The burly detective turned up the intensity, sometimes yelling in a bass-heavy bellow, cursing frequently. His partner chipped in some grim facts—she reminded the 18-year-old suspect about the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Richmond gang detective alleges Blacknell built reputation for violence
Throughout most of 2009, neighborhood cliques of mostly teens and young adults were locked in a back-and-forth feud, intensified by ambitions for respect and reprisal. Mixed with the hot tempers and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Richmond detective implicates Blacknell in murders for which he is not charged
Analysis of shell casings suggests a link between four killings in Oakland and Richmond and many of the 22 felonies for which Joe Blacknell III is on trial, Richmond Police Det. Christopher Llamas...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blacknell defense opens case, focuses on science and inconsistent witnesses
On the first day of witness testimony for the defense, public defender Diana Garrido spent several hours focused on what may be the prosecution’s biggest weaknesses in its case against Joe Blacknell...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blacknell’s mother takes stand in Richmond murder case
Joe Blacknell III’s mother took the stand in his defense Wednesday, testifying that her son is a hip-hop fan and father of three, and not a violent gang member who killed one man and wounded at least...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Closing arguments recount Richmond crime spree, differ on whether Blacknell...
After more than a month of proceedings, one of Richmond’s biggest murder trials in years is in the jury’s hands. Closing arguments Thursday painted two starkly different pictures of the evidence...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blacknell convicted in murder of Marcus Russell, other counts
Joe Blacknell III was found guilty Thursday of 20 felony counts, including the first degree murder of Marcus Russell in 2009. Jurors reached their decision after more than eight days of deliberations....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Prosecutor reflects on trial, conviction of Joe ‘Fatter’ Blacknell in...
As the jury’s deliberation dragged into a second week, the pressure mounted. Always unflappable in the courtroom, prosecuting attorney Derek Butts nevertheless found himself wracked with inner...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jailhouse interview with Joe ‘Fatter’ Blacknell, who faces life in prison for...
How do you say hello to a convicted murderer? The thought darted through my head as I strode through the Martinez Courthouse jail facility’s winding corridors of concrete and steel. In moments I would...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blacknell sentenced to life without parole for 2009 crime spree
Joe “Fatter” Blacknell III was sentenced to life in prison plus more than 200 years without possibility of parole for the March 2009 murder of an up-and-coming East Bay rap artist and a September 2009...
View Article