ANTIOCH — Contra Costa prosecutors have filed a special circumstances murder charge against an unhoused man who was arrested in connection with a March 27 fatal shooting, court records show.
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Jacob Lamar Crooks, 29, was charged with murder in the death of 36-year-old Frank Justin James, along with a special circumstances allegation that he fired at Crooks from a vehicle, court records show. The enhancement makes Crooks eligible for life without parole if he’s convicted.
Authorities say the motive for the March 27 shooting remains unclear.
James, who didn’t have a permanent residence, was found dead on the 600 block of East 18th Street at around 5:22 a.m. Crooks was arrested during an April traffic stop in Walnut Creek. He was identified as a suspect through surveillance cameras stationed around the city, police said at the time.
Crooks remains jailed in Contra Costa and is next due in court on Tuesday for an arraignment hearing, records show.