Oakland Teen Accused Of Murdering Sister Appears In Juvenile Court
OAKLAND (KCBS) — A 14-year-old boy appeared in court Monday on a murder charge and three gun-related felony charges for the shooting death of his 17-year-old sister in Oakland's Chinatown district.
The boy is accused in the January 23rd fatal shooting of Justice Toliver, his 17-year-old sister.
Alameda County Juvenile Justice Commissioner Mark Kliszewski rejected the motion to have the boy released to the custody of his family and said that the accused needs to be in custody.
The teen faces one felony murder count, but his attorney, Adante Pointer, said it's not murder.
"There are different degrees of homicide. This is not cold-blooded, pre-meditated murder," he said.
Police have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, but a cousin, 22-year-old Marianna Gaston of Oakland, said shortly afterward that she was told that the teen shot Justice because he was mad that she had bleached his clothes.
Several family members attended the detention hearing.
"They're trying to hold it together. This is a family who's lost their daughter. This is a family who is in crisis. They have a son facing very serious charges and as anyone can understand they're dealing with a lot of grief and emotion right now," Pointer said.
The 17-year-old left behind a toddler and it was learned at the hearing that the accused minor is a father of a four-month-old girl.
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