People v. Williams CA1/2

Filed 12/10/21 P. v. Williams CA1/

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION TWO

THE PEOPLE,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

A155912

v. THOMAS WILLIAMS, (Contra Costa County Super. Ct. No. 51705326) Defendant and Appellant.

Thomas Williams was convicted of first degree murder in the shooting of his ex-girlfriend at a convenience store in Antioch, and of premeditated and deliberate attempted murder of a store clerk. There is no dispute who was responsible for the shootings, and no dispute as to the fact of malice murder. On appeal, defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying his Batson/Wheeler1 challenge to the prosecutor’s exercise of a peremptory challenge, but candidly concedes that he is “swimming against the tide” by asking this…