DATE: March 5, 2024
CASE: Khalil Sabree, Cochese Stevens, Khali Brown (Case #18FE022943)
PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney Thomas Asker, Homicide Unit
On March 4, 2024, Khalil Sabree was convicted by a jury of murder with special circumstances, attempted voluntary manslaughter, first-degree degree robbery while acting in concert, felon in possession of a firearm and multiple firearms enhancements. Cochese Stevens was convicted of murder with special circumstances, first-degree robbery while acting in concert and multiple firearms enhancements. Khali Brown was convicted of first-degree robbery while acting in concert and a principal armed with a firearm enhancement.
On November 29, 2018, the three defendants traveled from Oakland to Sacramento with a plan to rob a marijuana dealer. The defendants drove to the dealer’s residence, where Sabree and Stevens pretended to be buyers. Sabree and Stevens were both armed with concealed handguns when they were invited inside the dealer’s home. Brown hid in the car down the street. After negotiating a deal for marijuana, Stevens put the robbery in motion by grabbing several bags of marijuana and heading for the door. The dealer pulled a handgun from his pocket and gave chase, but Stevens already had his gun out and fired first. Sabree then fired his gun and hit the dealer. The dealer’s 85-year-old father, John Barton, was sitting in an easy chair watching TV when he saw Sabree firing at his son. Mr. Barton stood up to push Sabree away from his son when Sabree shot Mr. Barton in the chest, killing him almost instantly. Both Sabree and Stevens were shot in the crossfire. Stevens hid under a neighbor’s car, but he was arrested several hours later when he tried to seek aid from the neighbor. Once Stevens was identified, Sacramento sheriff’s homicide detectives were able to identify Sabree and Brown. Both were arrested two months later.
Sabree and Stevens both face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Brown faces 7 years in prison. Sentencing is set for May 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 42 before the Honorable Michael Bowman.
