GUILTY CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*

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Friday, August 2nd:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 4/5/19 reference post #30 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
4/19/19 Update: Judge will decide on 4/24 on mental competency.
4/24/19 Update: A judge on Wednesday granted the prosecution's request to have a psychiatrist it has hired conduct a mental exam. Dr. Jason Roof is to examine Cowell for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Cramer ordered Cowell to return to court on May 6, when he will determine which of Cowell's psychiatric records will be provided to the prosecution & Root & to set the date for the trial on his competency.
5/6/19 Update: The prosecution wants its expert, Dr. Jason Roof, to be able to review the records before he examines John Lee Cowell, 28, for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. A judge on Monday scheduled a trial to begin July 29 on the mental competency. Cowell is scheduled to return to court on Friday (5/10) for a hearing on a motion by his lawyers to bar Roof from conducting one of the tests he wants to perform on Cowell.
6/6/19 Update: Motion hearing on 6/7 re to bar Dr. Jason Roof from conducting one of the tests he wants to perform on Cowell.
7/17/19 Update: Judge finds Cowell competent to stand trial. Arraignment hearing on 8/2 where he will enter his plea.
 
Suspect In Nia Wilson BART Stabbing Delays Entering Plea (with clip)

August 2, 2019

"OAKLAND (CBS SF) — The man accused of fatally stabbing a young woman at BART’s MacArthur station did not enter a plea during a brief court appearance Friday....

Last month, Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer found Cowell mentally fit to stand trial, based in part on a recent doctor’s report.

Cowell is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail.

Although Governor Newsom issued a temporary ban on capital punishment back in March, prosecutors have not ruled out the death penalty....

Cowell’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 19th."

Suspect In Nia Wilson BART Stabbing Delays Entering Plea
 
Monday, August 19th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 7/17/19 reference post #41 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
8/2/19 Update: Brief hearing, no plea entered. Next court hearing on 8/19.
 
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Monday said it will not seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing 18-year-old Nia Wilson more than a year ago.

Last month, Superior Court Judge James Cramer ruled that the suspect in the case, John Lee Cowell, was mentally competent to stand trial despite his mental illness. Cramer said the decision was based in part on a recent doctor's report.
Alameda County DA won't seek death penalty in Nia Wilson murder case
 
Friday, October 11th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond. DA will not seek DP.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 7/17/19 reference post #41 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
8/2/19 Update: Brief hearing, no plea entered. Next court hearing on 8/19.

8/19/19 Update: DA will not seek DP. Cowell is also charged with a special circumstance allegation. The prosecutor will now focus on having him sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cowell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 11.
 
Judge agrees to seal motion in case of Nia Wilson’s alleged BART killer
John Lee Cowell’s attorney to file motion to dismiss

October 11, 2019

"...On Friday, Cowell’s attorney, public defender Christina Moore, asked to seal a future motion to dismiss the case — meaning the details of her reasoning to ask for dismissal won’t be made public. Cowell was indicted by a criminal grand jury in 2018, the records of which are also sealed from the public....

Moore argued that if the records were made public, they could taint a jury pool if members of the media got their hands on any references to the grand jury transcripts....

Judge Kevin Murphy agreed with Moore, saying in court that there would be a high likelihood that the information “would be splashed into the press.” He granted the motion to seal the motion and any prosecution response to the motion....

The written arguments will be sealed, although both the defense and prosecution will orally make their arguments on the dismissal motion before a judge in open court....

Cowell will next appear in court Nov. 22 for the motion to dismiss and to enter a plea. Cowell could still plea “not guilty by reason of insanity,” which means if he is convicted, he could face time in a state mental hospital instead of prison."

Oakland: Alleged Nia Wilson BART killer gets motion granted
 
Judge Allows Lawyer For BART Stabbing Suspect To File Motion Under Seal (with clip)

October 11, 2019

"...Murphy then scheduled the hearing on the motion to dismiss for Nov. 22. Cowell also is scheduled to enter a plea on that date, as the motion to dismiss can’t be heard until after he enters a plea...."

Judge Allows Lawyer For BART Stabbing Suspect To File Motion Under Seal
 
Friday, November 22nd:
*Motions Hearing (& to enter plea) (@ am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond. DA will not seek DP.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 7/17/19 reference post #41 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
8/2/19 Update: Brief hearing, no plea entered. Next court hearing on 8/19.
8/19/19 Update: DA will not seek DP. Cowell is also charged with a special circumstance allegation. The prosecutor will now focus on having him sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cowell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 11.
10/11/19 Update: Cowell’s attorney, public defender Christina Moore, asked to seal a future motion to dismiss the case — meaning the details of her reasoning to ask for dismissal won’t be made public. Judge granted the motion to seal the motion and any prosecution response to the motion. Cowell will next appear in court Nov. 22 for the motion to dismiss and to enter a plea. Cowell could still plea “not guilty by reason of insanity,” which means if he is convicted, he could face time in a state mental hospital instead of prison."
 
Judge Says Evidence Indicates Nia Wilson BART Stabbing Suspect Is Malingering


OAKLAND (CBS SF) — A judge said on Monday (12/23/19) that there are indications that a transient man is malingering to avoid standing trial on a murder charge for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland last year.

But Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer said he needs more time to study legal issues surrounding the mental competency of John Lee Cowell, 29, and won’t issue a ruling on the matter until Tuesday.
 
And I'm going to post this - so I can shorten it up a bit.

Monday, December 23rd:
*Motions Hearing (& to enter plea) (@ am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial is set to begin on 1/6/20-but could be delayed due to maybe another competency hearing.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 8/19/19 reference post #49 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
10/11/19 Update: Cowell’s attorney, public defender Christina Moore, asked to seal a future motion to dismiss the case — meaning the details of her reasoning to ask for dismissal won’t be made public. Judge granted the motion to seal the motion and any prosecution response to the motion. Cowell will next appear in court Nov. 22 for the motion to dismiss and to enter a plea. Cowell could still plea “not guilty by reason of insanity,” which means if he is convicted, he could face time in a state mental hospital instead of prison."
11/22/19 Update: Cowell pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity & a Jan. 6 trial date was set for him because, against the advice of his attorney Christina Moore, he asked for a speedy trial. Next hearing on 12/20/19.
12/20/19 Update: At a hearing last Friday at which Judge Cramer denied a request by the First Amendment Coalition to unseal the grand jury’s transcripts in the case. Defense attorney Moore said she thinks Cowell is now incompetent to stand trial because, “There are additional facts that are very concerning to me.” Moore didn’t disclose those facts because she wanted to protect Cowell’s privacy, but Judge Cramer said on Monday (12/23/19) that some of the relevant facts can be made public, including the fact that Cowell has refused to meet with two doctors who were appointed last month to evaluate his current mental state. But he said all three psychiatrists who examined Cowell earlier this year found that he was “malingering.” “There’s an unwillingness to cooperate versus an inability to do so based on a mental deficit". Defense ttorney recommended that mental competency proceedings be initiated. Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer said he didn’t want to make a rushed ruling on Moore’s request today but said he will do so at a hearing on Monday morning (12/23/19) after he’s had time to review all the records & legal issues in the case.
12/23/19 Update: Judge Cowell said on Monday that there are indications that a transient man is malingering to avoid standing trial on a murder charge. Judge James Cramer said he needs more time to study legal issues surrounding the mental competency of Cowell and won’t issue a ruling on the matter until Tuesday (12/24/19). Cramer has three options: ordering Cowell to stand trial on Jan. 6 as scheduled, finding that he’s mentally incompetent to stand trial and suspending the criminal proceedings against him, or appointing another psychiatrist to examine him to determine his current competency. No update as of 12/26
 
Anyone reading here - can you access the Alameda Court site?
Maybe there is something about the next hearing date....

TIA! :)
 
Defense Requests Change Of Venue In Nia Wilson Murder Trial

December 31, 2019 at 8:09 pm

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — The lawyer for a transient man charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland last year has asked that his trial be moved out of Alameda County because she doesn’t think he can get a fair trial locally.

In a change of venue motion, attorney Christina Moore, who represents 29-year-old John Lee Cowell, wrote that “prevalent and persistent news coverage has demonstrably prejudiced potential jurors of Alameda County.”
[.....]
A hearing on Moore’s change of venue motion was scheduled for Jan. 6, the same day Cowell is scheduled to return to court to have a judge assigned for his trial.

The motion could further delay the long-delayed case against Cowell, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
 
Monday, January 6th:
*Motion Hearing (re competency & change of venue) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 1/6/20-but will be delayed due another competency hearing.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 12/20/19 reference post #51 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
12/23/19 Update: Judge Cowell said on Monday that there are indications that a transient man is malingering to avoid standing trial on a murder charge. Judge James Cramer said he needs more time to study legal issues surrounding the mental competency of Cowell and won’t issue a ruling on the matter until Tuesday (12/24/19). Cramer has three options: ordering Cowell to stand trial on Jan. 6 as scheduled, finding that he’s mentally incompetent to stand trial and suspending the criminal proceedings against him, or appointing another psychiatrist to examine him to determine his current competency. Next motion hearing on 1/6/20.
12/31/19 Update: Defense files motion for change of venue. Will be heard at motions hearing on 1/6/20.
 
Well - that's strange - I thought they were postponing the trial - but according to this article - trial started yesterday - 1/6.... sort of - according to the article.

Trial begins in Nia Wilson murder case

Updated: Jan. 6, 2020 4:16 p.m.
The murder trial against the man accused in the brazen 2018 stabbing of Nia Wilson at an Oakland BART station officially began Monday, in a case that sparked a national outcry amid speculation that the crime was racially motivated.
[.....]
While a Monday hearing in Oakland formally initiated trial proceedings, it likely will be weeks before arguments or testimony are presented to a jury.

The trial comes after months of legal proceedings over Cowell’s mental competency to assist in his own defense.
[.....]
Cowell has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Disheveled Cowell, dressed in red jail garb, sat silently in the courtroom next to Moore as Alameda County Superior Court Judge Allan D. Hymer ticked off dates for upcoming hearings, one of which will decide whether the trial should be held in Alameda County at all.
[.....]
Hymer will hear arguments on the motion to change venue on Jan. 13, and said he anticipates having the first jury panel in his courtroom on Jan. 15


so - mis-leading headline - still hearing motions on 1/13 and then jury selection 1/15.
 
@tnith - maybe you can find the time to look up & see what time this hearing 1/13 starts and jury selection on 1/15? TIA!
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Monday, January 13th:
*Motion Hearing (re change of venue) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond. DA will not seek DP. Trial is set to begin on 1/15/20 with jury selection.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 12/20/19 reference post #51 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
12/23/19 Update: Judge Cowell said on Monday that there are indications that a transient man is malingering to avoid standing trial on a murder charge. Judge James Cramer said he needs more time to study legal issues surrounding the mental competency of Cowell and won’t issue a ruling on the matter until Tuesday (12/24/19). Cramer has three options: ordering Cowell to stand trial on Jan. 6 as scheduled, finding that he’s mentally incompetent to stand trial and suspending the criminal proceedings against him, or appointing another psychiatrist to examine him to determine his current competency. Next motion hearing on 1/6/20.
12/31/19 Update: Defense files motion for change of venue. Will be heard at motions hearing on 1/6/20. 1/6/20: Motion for change of venue will be heard on 1/13. Jury selection will begin on 1/15/20.
 
@tnith - can you access Alameda County? Is jury selection still a go on 1/15?

TIA if you can! :)
 
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