Suspects in officer Tuan Le murder arraigned in Oakland; DA seeks special circumstances
The two men suspected of killing Oakland police officer Tuan Le were arraigned Thursday morning during their first court appearance since being taken into custody.
During the proceedings, Mark Sanders turned his back to the judge and the courtroom. Sanders did not say anything during his brief appearance in court and kept his head down.
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Le's family was in the courtroom during Sander's appearance, along with dozens of OPD officers who attended to show their support for their fallen colleague.
Allen Brown only looked toward his family sitting in the viewing area across from OPD officers.
Cameras were not allowed as Allen Brown made his appearance, but he stood stoically mostly looking at his family members.
27-year-old Mark Sanders made his first court appearance this AM. He’s accused of murdering OPD Officer Tuan Le during a burglary on Dec 29. Sanders turned his back to the judge & the courtroom. Viewing area filled with members from @oaklandpoliceca to show support for Le. pic.twitter.com/7xBQjcUVnJ
— Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) January 4, 2024
Sebron Russell, who was not charged in connection with the slaying of officer Le but was arrested for the burglaries that led to the shooting, was the last to appear. He wore a mask during his brief time before the judge. As he left, held his hands up in a heart shape while looking at his family.
Court documents provided more details regarding exactly what happened in the early morning hours of Dec. 29. The three suspects who were in court Thursday are accused of burglarizing a marijuana growing facility at Embarcadero and 4th Avenue in Oakland three times in the early morning hours, and loading a large amount of marijuana product in their car.
Officer Le and his partner were working undercover that night. According to court records, Brown was the driver of the car that chased the undercover officers while Sanders -- the passenger in that car -- was the one who opened fire.
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Sanders and Allen are charged with 2nd degree murder and a long list of other charges in the case. Both are being held without bail until their next court appearance on January 18.
"I've heard that the entire leverage of the office and the government is going to go against Mr. Sanders. I just want to say that I stand ready to defend Mr. Sanders against these charges," said Annie Beles, Sander's defense attorney.
Russell is charged with three counts of burglary and a probation violation. His bail was set at $275,000.
On Wednesday, police announced the arrests of the 27-year-old Sanders of Tracy and the 28-year-old Brown of Chico, were both being charged in the fatal shooting of Le.
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said in a statement Thursday that Sanders was charged with murder with special circumstances that could result in a life sentence without parole. Brown was also charged with murder while Russell was charged with burglary. Each also faces multiple other charges.
Price said she spoke with Le's family Thursday and offered her condolences while pledging to prosecute the case to the fullest.
"I informed the family of the charges against the men accused of murdering Tuan Le, and I assured them that my office will do everything within the confines of our legal power to make sure the man accused of shooting Tuan Le will serve the rest of his life in prison," said Price. "We join law enforcement and people across the region in expressing our heartbreak and outrage over this horrific crime. My office will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads to hold these men accountable for their outrageous behavior."
Read: Criminal complaint in murder of Oakland police officer Tuan Le
Sanders was arrested Tuesday in Livermore and Brown was arrested Sunday in Chico. Police said at least seven people have been arrested and more suspects were still being sought.
Interim Chief Darren Allison said Sanders is also being looked at as possibly being involved in a homicide in Stanislaus County. Court records show Sanders has a prior conviction for manslaughter. The Contra Costa District Attorney's office told KPIX that Sanders was also convicted in 2021 of second-degree burglary; Russell was one of two other co-defendants in the case.
Le is the first Oakland police officer to be killed in the line of duty in 14 years.
Katie Nielsen contributed to this story.