Judge orders new trial in decade-old murder case, as scrutiny of Oakland detective grows

"OAKLAND - An Alameda County judge this month overturned another decade-old murder conviction that was secured with the help of Phong Tran, the veteran Oakland homicide detective accused of coercing and paying off witnesses throughout his prolific career. The ruling by Judge Thomas Stevens marks the third upended guilty verdict tied to the longtime Oakland police officer, who is awaiting trial on several bribery and perjury charges."

"The burgeoning scandal has already led to multiple lenient plea deals and case dismissals tied to the detective's work, along with a review of more than 200 homicide cases he either led or touched. The latest decision means an Oakland man, 50-year-old Steven Buggs, will get a new trial in the September 2012 slaying of his childhood friend, Lester Young, who was shot dead inside Young's East Oakland home."

"While investigating the killing, Tran allegedly told Buggs that an all-white jury could see him as a "big scary Black guy," and that Buggs "might as well squeeze that noose a little tighter" if he didn't confess to the shooting, according to court filings. In a statement, Alameda County's public defender urged District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson to dismiss the case and release Buggs from custody "immediately." He is currently incarcerated at the state prison in Vacaville."

An Alameda County judge overturned a decade-old murder conviction linked to Oakland homicide detective Phong Tran. The ruling is the third guilty verdict tied to the detective to be vacated amid allegations that he coerced and paid witnesses. Tran is awaiting trial on bribery and perjury charges while prosecutors review more than 200 homicide cases he handled. The decision grants 50-year-old Steven Buggs a new trial in the September 2012 slaying of Lester Young. Court filings allege Tran pressured Buggs with racially charged comments to elicit a confession. The public defender urged immediate dismissal and Buggs remains incarcerated in Vacaville.

Read at The Mercury News