OAKLAND — An Alameda County jury found a Richmond man guilty of murder in connection with a 2020 road rage shooting that killed a 29-year-old man, court records show.
Hosea Askew, 55, was found guilty of murdering Diante Craig in a March 2020 shooting in Berkeley. Prosecutors said Askew shot Craig, who was unarmed, with a pistol after the two drivers got into an altercation while driving through town. Craig was fatally shot at University Avenue near Chestnut Street.
The Berkeley Scanner, a local news site, reported that Askew claimed self-defense at trial, testifying that Craig was driving aggressively towards him. He also claimed the shot was accidental, the news site reported. Prosecutors called Askew’s story a convenient lie to justify murder.
Askew’s wife, who was not present for the shooting, was initially charged with being an accessory to the crime for allegedly lying to police about her husband’s whereabouts. The charges were dismissed last year, records show.
In an interview with police, Askew admitted being in Berkeley but denied being on University Avenue until he was confronted with the video evidence. He also denied being in any altercations or seeing Craig or his vehicle, the documents say. He then invoked his right to an attorney, according to court records.
Source: www.mercurynews.com