East Bay man faces combined murder trial in Solano County

"Attorneys continued presentation of evidence to a judge in Solano County Superior Court Friday, part of arguments over whether a Martinez man charged in connection with two murders, committed months apart, in 2022 can be tried on both allegations at once, or whether the two shooting deaths should be tried separately. The hearing on the allegations against Richard Raymond Klein, 54, and the motion to sever the two murder charges will resume on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m."

"The 6-foot-7 Klein, clad in a striped jail jumpsuit, his head shaved, listened intently and chatted with his attorney on Friday as the prosecution played several recordings of phone conversations he had had with associates since being arrested and held in Solano County Jail. In each of the recordings, Deputy District Attorney Barry Shapiro argued, Klein can be heard encouraging friends to contact certain witnesses. The clips are all attempts by the defendant to prevent witnesses from testifying, Shapiro argued."

"As previously reported, Klein, a previously convicted felon, was indicted for the killings by a Solano County grand jury in June 2023. The Solano County District Attorney's Office then combined the murder charges into one case, with alleged special circumstances. Court records indicate that the case is no longer a capital case. The indictment, which essentially replaced the preliminary hearing process, includes the two murder counts and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm,"

Richard Raymond Klein, 54, faces a hearing on whether two 2022 shooting deaths will be tried together or separately. Prosecutors played recorded phone calls in which Klein allegedly encouraged associates to contact witnesses, which prosecutors contend are attempts to prevent testimony. Defense Attorney Dustin Gordon argues witnesses and issues in each incident are not cross-admissible and that questions remain about the identity of the actual shooters, supporting severance. Klein was indicted by a Solano County grand jury in June 2023 and the district attorney combined the murder counts with alleged special circumstances. Court records show the case is no longer capital and the indictment includes related felon-in-possession counts.

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