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Teen victim Hasan Humphries (GoFundMe).
A California man was found guilty this month of first-degree murder for killing a 17-year-old in Oakland while on an “escalating” crime spree that included carjackings, robberies and urinating on the grave of one of the victim’s friends for an Instagram video, according to prosecutors.
Jacobi Gaines, 23, was also convicted of three counts of gun possession, carjacking, robbery, vehicle theft and assault with a deadly weapon in connection to his six-week crime spree back at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 — culminating in the murder of Hasan Humphries, according to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, which announced the conviction in a Friday press release.
Gaines, who was 18 at the time, was beefing with various people from Oakland as part of a reported gang rivalry, according to the East Bay Times. He posted videos and messages on Instagram, saying things like “kill or be killed” and violent rap lyrics, along with the urination video that was aimed at one of Humphries’ dead friends. It’s unclear how Gaines and Humphries knew each other.
“The testimony and evidence presented at trial showed that Mr. Gaines began his crime spree on or about December 2, 2019, with an escalating series of carjackings, robberies, and thefts, which culminated in the murder of Hassan Humphries, who was unarmed when he suffered two gunshot wounds by Mr. Gaines on January 13, 2020,” the DA’s office said.
Gaines’ cell phone placed him at the scene of the murder at the time it occurred, according to prosecutors. Evidence was also presented at trial showing how Gaines was driving a Audi A4 Quattro “with a custom black grille” that he stole during his crime spree and was spotted fleeing in after the murder.
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“Additional evidence regarding motive included a video of Mr. Gaines urinating on the grave of one of the victim’s friends posted on social media,” prosecutors said.
“This verdict removes a dangerous person from our community,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Royl Roberts explained in a statement.
Gaines will face up to life in state prison when he’s sentenced next month. The hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20.