FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2010
CONTACT: Erica Terry Derryck, DA Harris’ Office, (415) 553-1167
Man Convicted of “Strike” For Threatening Death of Family Member
Defendant Promised In Open Court to Kill His Brother
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – District Attorney Kamala D. Harris announced today that a San Francisco jury convicted Sadat Mousa, age 35, (Court No. 2443646) of committing felony criminal threats in violation of Penal Code section 422, a “strike” offense under California’s 3-Strikes Law, and misdemeanor harassing phone calls, a violation of Penal Code section 653m(b).
The guilty verdict was announced in Department 24 of the San Francisco Superior Court in front of the Honorable Kevin McCarthy. The defendant faces up to three years and six months in state prison.
Defendant Mousa terrorized the victims—members of his own family—for more than two months from September 2, 2009 to November 4, 2009 with threatening phone calls and messages. The criminal defendant’s violent behavior culminated in a threat to kill his own brother in open court during a hearing in which his brother was seeking a restraining order against him.
“I’m pleased that the jury saw how serious this case was and that we could intervene before the defendant’s threats could be carried out,” said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. “For anyone who receives serious threats like these—it’s critical for them to call the police early and often, before the situation escalates any further.”
The arrest and prosecution of defendant Sadat Mousa is the result of a thorough investigation by San Francisco Police Department Sergeant Mark Gallegos and Deputy Sheriff Investigator Phil Burt. Victor Hwang is the Assistant District Attorney who prosecuted the defendant.
The sentencing date for the defendant is set for June 4, 2010 in Department 24 of the San Francisco Superior Court.
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