Crime & Safety
Alameda Woman's Killer Gets 123 Years to Life
Shanika Latham, 20, was killed and her boyfriend wounded in an Oakland shooting last year.
By Bay City News Service
An ex-convict was sentenced Friday to 123 years to life in state prison for fatally shooting a woman and wounding her boyfriend during an Ecstasy capsule transaction in East Oakland last year.
Julius Scott, 27, was convicted in September of murder, attempted murder and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death for killing 20-year-old Shanika Latham of Alameda and wounding 24-year-old Lawrence Nero, her boyfriend.
The shooting occurred at the corner of 48th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard at about 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2012.
Alameda County prosecutor Autrey James said Scott directed Nero to meet him at 48th and Foothill after Nero called Scott to arrange to buy some Ecstasy capsules from him.
But when Nero and Latham arrived at the scene, Scott opened fire on their car, killing Latham and wounding Nero, James said.
Scott, who has prior robbery convictions, was arrested by Oakland police three weeks after the shooting.
A motive for the shooting wasn't disclosed during Scott's trial.
Scott's lawyer, Joann Kingston, could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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