DATE: October 27, 2022

CASE: Willie Pope Jr. (Case #21FE004639)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Lauren Giles, Career Criminal Prosecution Unit

Willie Pope Jr. was convicted by a jury of attempted murder and carjacking with enhancements for great bodily injury, personal use of a deadly weapon and personal use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a carjacking.

On November 8, 2020, Willie Pope Jr. approached the victim at a Natomas gas station and asked her for a ride to a residential area. Once parked, Pope took out a knife and demanded the victim give him her vehicle. As the victim tried to get out of the vehicle, Pope stabbed her in the stomach and heart. Pope fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle and left the victim for dead. The victim was able to call for help and was rushed to a hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery for her injuries. The victim’s stolen vehicle was located after a high-speed pursuit in Contra Costa County. Pope fled the scene before officers could detain him, but items recovered in the stolen vehicle were used to identify him. Pope fled the state and was arrested in Florida in March 2021.

The Judge found true that Pope has prior strike convictions for attempted murder and robbery.

Pope was on parole at the time of the current offense for attempted murder, multiple robberies, and attempted kidnapping. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office opposed Pope’s parole release in June 2020.

Pope faces a maximum sentence of 36 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for December 9. 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 10 before the Honorable Ernest Sawtelle.

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