Jury hung on murder charges in Twin Peaks shooting trial

A San Francisco jury failed to reach a full verdict in the double-murder case against 30-year-old Richard Contreras, who was accused of shooting at a group of people at the Twin Peaks lookout on Valentine’s Day 2016.

The hung jury ultimately leaned toward the defendant, however, with nine in favor of acquittal and three convinced of his guilt on two murder and attempted murder charges, Public Defender Jeff Adachi said Friday. Contreras was convicted on the lesser counts of carjacking, unlawful possession of a gun by a felon and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle.

Alex Bastian, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said prosecutors may attempt to retry the case, but “all options are on the table” for their next move.

The incident happened at about 2 a.m. on that fateful Valentine’s Day three years ago when a group of friends from Santa Rosa gathered on Twin Peaks’ main viewing deck, which boasts a sweeping vista of San Francisco’s skyline and the Bay Bridge.

Contreras, who was there with a date and her friend, began firing into the crowd indiscriminately, Assistant District Attorney Adam Maldonado said, “without any sort of confrontation, any fight or aggression.”

The gunfire killed Rene Mora, 19, and 21-year-old Julio Peraza, and injured 18-yearold Eric Morales, who was struck in the stomach.

But Deputy Public Defender Kleigh Hathaway argued that Contreras’ case was one of self-defense. Before he opened fire, Contreras said he heard a group of men yelling at him and taunting him, and that he saw a gun and heard shots. After he finished shooting, Contreras admitted, he carjacked a couple in a vehicle to get away from the scene.

Hathaway additionally took the rare step of choosing to have her client testify in his own defense.

“In taking the stand himself, Mr. Contreras explained what happened that terrible night and subjected himself to cross-examination,” Adachi said in a statement. “He also showed great remorse. I’m sure if he could turn back time, he never would have driven to Twin Peaks that night.”

Hathaway said she wasn’t sure herself how the case would end.

“This is an outcome that I was not convinced I could hope for,” she said in a statement. “But after talking to the jury, I’m very grateful that they found the courage to do the right thing.”