Alameda Man Convicted of Murder in Marijuana Robbery

An Alameda man has been convicted of first-degree murder for setting up a man to be killed during a marijuana robbery at an Alameda apartment complex three years ago.
 
Jurors deliberated for only one day before delivering their verdict against 25-year-old Christopher Donaldson on Tuesday for the death of 32-year-old William Adrian Falcon Sapp on April 20, 2011.
 
Prosecutor Patrick Moriarty said Donaldson contacted Sapp through Craigslist, as Sapp grew marijuana legally for medical marijuana clubs and offered marijuana for sale. But Moriarty said Donaldson didn't intend to buy marijuana from Sapp but instead arranged for two accomplices, Charles Kimbrough and Richard Ezell, to rob Sapp at the Summer House Apartments at 1926 Poggi Street.
 
However, Moriarty said Sapp fought back against Kimbrough and Ezell and Ezell shot and killed him. Donaldson also was convicted of second-degree robbery for the armed robbery of another marijuana grower in Berkeley on Feb. 11, 2011.

Moriarty said that even though Donaldson didn't kill Sapp he believes Donaldson is responsible for Sapp's death because he set up the plan to rob him. Donaldson's attorney, Mario Andrews, argued that he should be acquitted of both of the charges against him.
 
Andrews said Donaldson didn't participate in the Berkeley robbery and only wanted to buy marijuana from Sapp and didn't want to rob him. Earlier this year Ezell and Kimbrough both pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for their roles in the death of Sapp in an agreement with prosecutors that called for them to get sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison in return for testifying against Donaldson.
 
Moriarty said Ezell kept his part of the bargain by testifying against Donaldson during his trial but Kimbrough refused to testify, so his plea agreement might be thrown out.
 
Donaldson faces at least 26 years to life in state prison when he's sentenced by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jon Rolefson on Aug. 15.

—By Bay City News