DUBLIN — An Oakland man has been convicted of second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting of a man who had just been beaten up by the defendant’s father and was running from the San Leandro bar where the fight occurred.
Louis Ray Woods III, 35, was convicted of the murder charge and a gun enhancement for killing Brian Antonio Marquis Moore with an unregistered AR-15-style rifle on March 25, 2022. During trial, Woods’ lawyer argued that it was a case of self-defense based on Woods’ perception that Moore had a gun. Prosecutors called it premeditated murder, arguing that Woods shot Moore as has he was attempting to run to safety.
Woods faces a 15-year-to-life sentence for the second-degree murder charge alone.
Jurors began deliberating on Thursday, Nov. 21. They were given a range of charges to consider, including first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and the second-degree murder count they settled on.
Moore was killed outside of Cunha’s Cocktail Lounge in San Leandro, a few minutes after Woods’ father knocked him down during a brief fight inside the bar. A bouncer testified that he regretted letting Moore — who allegedly was drunk and stripped of his clothing — back inside the bar because it ultimately led to his death.
Prosecutors turned Moore’s erratic behavior to their advantage, arguing that the fact that he stripped down proved he was unarmed, and that Woods was lying when he claimed Moore had a gun. The defense argued that Moore had retrieved a weapon or been given one after the fight with Woods’ dad, and that Woods believed his dad was going to be “set up” for beating up Moore.
After the killing, Woods fled to a nearby Motel 6 and attempted to avoid police contact, according to prosecutors. When the cops caught up with him, he lied repeatedly, denying having been at the bar that night. Only at trial did he change his story, taking the stand and claiming that someone outside the bar yelled that another man had “a gun.”
Woods claimed that he was firing warning shots, not intending to hit Moore. The prosecution said that was just another lie, pointing out that Moore was struck multiple times, and arguing that he was fleeing with his back turned when the bullets hit him.
Outgoing District Attorney Pamela Price — having recently been recalled — issued a statement about the verdict on Tuesday, commending the jury’s verdict and stating that Woods’ decision to bring a gun to the bar is what ultimately led to the tragedy.