OAKLAND — The suspect in a triple murder has been convicted, ending a prosecution that spanned more than six years.
Antonio Durant, 33, was convicted of three counts of second degree murder in the deaths of Gino Houchins, 21, of Vallejo, and Marcus Fuller Jr., 29, and Dante Johnson, 31, both of Oakland. The three were fatally shot just before 9 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2019 in the 1000 block of Center Street in Oakland. Two weeks after the murders, Durant was arrested after a high-speed chase in the Oakland hills.
Jurors also convicted Durant of enhancements for personal use of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of the murder weapon, court records show. Durant was linked to the shooting by clothing he allegedly discarded afterwards, which contained his DNA, according to court records. The motive for the shooting was less clear, but prosecutors alleged that Durant was seen talking to the three victims just before the shooting.
In court filings, prosecutors also pointed to two notes left behind by Durant during a suicide attempt at Santa Rita Jail. In one of the notes, entitled “Victim,” Durant proclaimed his innocence and denied even being at the scene. The other, entitled “Passion” and signed by Durant, said that he believed he was in danger.
“First and foremost, I am so sorry for what happened to those men. I’m not a gang member like them,” Durant wrote. He said Johnson called him over to talk and then accused his mother of telling people that Fuller was a “snitch,” which Durant denied was true. Copies of both letters were filed in court.
“We started arguing and (Fuller) said that he’s gonna kill me and my mom for telling everybody he is a snitch,” the letter says. It later adds, “He then began to reach down so I guessed he may have a gun and I was scared for my mother’s life … I don’t remember what happened. I have so much remorse for what happened and I’m so sorry.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Reach the lifeline at 988 or see the website at 988Lifeline.org.