Oakland Jury Convicts Man of First-Degree Murder
Jamazea Kittell faces 50 years to life after an Alameda County jury found him guilty of murder and firearm-related charges.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Violence
An Alameda County jury convicted 33-year-old Jamazea Kittell of first-degree murder for a 2025 shooting in Oakland that killed 23-year-old Perez Kalief-Chambers. Kittell remains in custody awaiting sentencing while facing additional pending assault charges in Solano County.
Why it matters
The conviction resolves a high-profile case involving a defendant who was out on bail for a prior incident when the fatal shooting occurred. It underscores the challenges surrounding bail reform and reoffending rates in violent crime cases.
Kittell was found guilty of first-degree murder, assault with a firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He currently faces a potential prison sentence of 50 years to life for the 2025 killing.
The players
Jamazea Kittell
The 33-year-old defendant was convicted of murder after being identified through surveillance footage.
Perez Kalief-Chambers
The 23-year-old victim was killed during a drive-by shooting in Oakland.
Brad Kim
The Vallejo police officer was involved in a 2023 shooting incident that resulted in Kittell being wounded.
The details
Investigators used surveillance footage from Modesto and Livermore to link an Acura driven by Kittell to the 9400 block of C Street, where he opened fire on two men. Police arrested Kittell in Apple Valley two days after the shooting, recovering an Amazon work vest at the scene.
Timeline
June 27, 2023: Kittell was shot by a Vallejo police officer during an alleged assault.
October 11, 2023: Kittell posted bail in the separate Solano County case.
July 9, 2025: Kittell murdered Perez Kalief-Chambers in Oakland.
July 11, 2025: Police arrested Kittell in Apple Valley.
October 29, 2026: An Alameda County jury returned a guilty verdict against Kittell.
Legal Context
The case follows the mandatory sentencing patterns established under the California Penal Code for defendants convicted of first-degree murder with firearm use. This outcome reflects local trends in prosecuting repeat violent offenders who were released on bail.
The conviction concludes a violent chapter for the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, potentially leading to increased peace of mind for local residents. The legal proceedings highlight the ongoing security challenges posed by defendants awaiting trial on other charges.
The takeaway
This case highlights the risks associated with the judicial release of defendants awaiting trial for violent offenses. Residents and families are encouraged to monitor local court dockets for updates on sentencing hearings that affect the safety of their communities.
Further reading
Find more updates on local legal proceedings on the Oakland Violence page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Jose Mercury News.
