Bail Granted for Man Charged in Shooting

OAKLAND-An Oakland man charged with murder in the shooting death of his close friend, Dartmouth junior Meleia Willis-Starbuck, was set to be released yesterday on a $326,000 property bond.

Christopher Wilson, 20, was scheduled to be released from Santa Rita Jail by an Alameda County Superior Court judge after the parents of his best friend put up the equity on their Berkeley home, where he will stay under strict conditions.

"I have every confidence in Chris," said Robin Baker, who put up the Berkeley home along with her husband, Ralph Silber. Baker's son has known Wilson since elementary school.

Wilson, Willis-Starbuck and suspect-at-large Christopher Hollis were friends at Berkeley High School's Communication, Arts and Sciences school.

"As the facts come out, it will become clear that he had no knowing part in this tragedy," said Baker, who serves as director of the Labor Occupation Health Program at UC Berkeley.

Wilson drove Hollis to College Avenue and Dwight Way early on July 17 where, according to accounts from friends and authorities, Hollis may have accidentally shot Willis-Starbuck in an effort to protect her from a group of men arguing with her minutes earlier.

Before the shooting, Willis-Starbuck talked to Hollis and possibly Wilson, asking for protection from a group of men who were arguing with her and her friends, Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Carrie Panetta said yesterday.

One witness told police that Willis-Starbuck asked Hollis to "bring the heat," according to John Adams, another district attorney.

Wilson drove Hollis and a third passenger to College Avenue and Dwight Way, where Hollis got out of the car and fired multiple shots in the direction of Willis-Starbuck and the men she was arguing with, police said. One of the bullets hit Willis-Starbuck in the chest, killing her.

Wilson surrendered to police on Wednesday. His lawyer, Elizabeth Grossman, said Friday that Wilson did not know there was a gun in the car and that the murder charge against him would be reduced.

Hollis, the alleged shooter, remains at large. He has contacted friends and family members since the shooting, telling them he wants to turn himself in but is scared of the consequences.

"He's very sorry," said Arnold Perkins, Alameda County's public health director and a friend of Wilson's, who said he has not talked with Hollis since the shooting. "He is scared to death, and he does not know what to do. Imagine any of us in his situation."

Police acknowledged yesterday that they are looking to question a third person in Wilson's car, who prosecutors said yesterday had left the country.

Wilson breathed a visible sigh of relief in court yesterday as the judge decided to give him bail. One of about 50 friends who came to support Wilson said, "It's a start."

Superior Court Judge Winifred Smith said Wilson's lack of a criminal history helped her decide to allow bail in the case.

Smith set a number of conditions on Wilson's release. He will have a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and will not be able to leave Alameda County without the court's permission.

Wilson is also barred from carrying a cell phone or pager, and he will not be able to contact several people involved with the case, including Hollis.

Tags: