Man Guilty in Huey Newton Death
- Share via
OAKLAND — A 27-year-old Oakland man described as a small-time drug dealer was convicted Wednesday of killing Black Panther co-founder Huey Newton to gain standing with a prison gang.
Tyrone Robinson was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Newton, who was shot in the head three times near a West Oakland crack house on Aug. 22, 1989.
Sentencing was set for Nov. 25.
During the six-week trial, jurors heard testimony from 30 witnesses, including Robinson, who admitted shooting Newton but said it was in self-defense after Newton shot him.
Defense attorney Alfons G. Wagner said Newton had a long history of violence and was trying to rob Robinson, whom he described as merely a “small-time dope dealer.”
But prosecutor Kenneth Burr argued that Robinson shot Newton hoping to bolster his standing in the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang and gain a crack-selling franchise.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
A series of small-town dog killings was a prelude to the violence committed by one of California’s deadliest serial killers.
The stories behind the most compelling cases from the people who know them best.
German broadcaster DW explores the idea of 15-minute cities — and why the climate-friendly concept is drawing backlash.
