In early October, Devin Williams, 26, was convicted of the double murder of Maria and Benison Tran. In September 2022, Williams left work at Santa Rita Jail, and went to the home of Maria and Benison Tran on Colebrook Lane in Dublin, according to evidence and testimony. He shot both of them to death with an Alameda County-issued service weapon. Evidence showed that Maria Tran was in a romantic relationship with Williams, though she was legally married to Tran. Williams fled after the shooting, but eventually surrendered to CHP officers in Coalinga, about 147 miles south of Dublin in remote Fresno County, according to Bay City News reports. He was booked without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
At court, family members gave tearful testimony, according to reports from Pleasanton Weekly and the Bay Area News Group. A prosecutor read aloud a letter written by the couple’s 16-year-old son, who told Williams he “caused a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone…You destroyed my foundation. You have made sure I will walk this world alone.” The son, known only as John Doe, held his mother in his arms as she died, according to the Bay Area News Group.
“For you to commit these acts – it’s really unthinkable,” Alameda County Judge Jennifer Madden told Williams, according to Pleasanton Weekly. “I will tell you that I’ve had a lot of trials, I’ve been in a lot of cases both as a judge and as an attorney, and the level of violence that was enacted in this case – the 911 call was the worst 911 call I’ve ever heard in a case.”
Williams made brief remarks at the end. “I recognize the pain and trauma I’ve caused,” he said, according to Pleasanton Weekly. “No apology will soothe that, but just know that I am truly sorry. I do not expect forgiveness because I will never forgive myself.”
Williams received back-back sentences of 25 years to life, with credit for the 917 days he’s already served.
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