January 24, 2025
Oakland, CA – Today, Chief Assistant District Attorney Royl Roberts announced that a jury found Jacobi Gaines (23) guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Hassan Humphries (17). Mr. Gaines was also convicted of three counts of gun possession, carjacking, robbery, vehicle theft, and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a six-week violent crime spree involving multiple victims in Alameda County.
The conviction also includes enhancements for the use of a firearm, use of a deadly weapon, causing great bodily injury, and being a felon on probation at the time these crimes were committed.
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. Mr. Gaines’ cell phone placed him at the scene of the murder at the time it occurred. Also presented was evidence that Mr. Gaines had possession of an Audi A4 Quattro with a custom black grille, which he stole on January 8, and was spotted fleeing the scene of the murder. 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.
“This verdict removes a dangerous person from our community. I want to thank the jury for their service and careful deliberation in this trial,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Royl Roberts. “I also want to congratulate the prosecution team: Deputy District Attorney Maggie Calonge, Inspectors Derrel Ramsey & Chris Moreno for their hard work in securing this conviction in a case that took five years to prosecute. I also recognize Victim-Witness Advocates Brittany Tran and Juan Matias for their support of the victims in this case.
Mr. Gaines faces 25 years, 4 months, plus 38 years to life in state prison. Sentencing is set for February 20, 2025, in Department 9 at the René C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland.
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Contact: damedia@acgov.org
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) is one of the largest prosecutor’s offices in the State of California. Our office receives more than 40,000 cases presented by law enforcement for charging each year. The ACDAO has 9 locations, 150 Attorneys, 35 Victim-Witness Advocates, 75 Inspectors, and 130 Operations Staff Members who are committed to administering justice for every person who lives, works, or plays in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code.