Contra Costa County courts reporter
Nate Gartrell
Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014 after a year spent working at a beer supply warehouse. Outside of journalism, he doesn't do much. He endeavors to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
All Stories

Fired Stanford researcher gets probation for altering cancer data with insults like ‘doctor too stupid’
Naheed Mangi, 70, was sentenced 12 years after her crime of conviction, which involved hacking into a Stanford database and changing patient data.

While out on bail in kidnapping case, Oakland man charged with child trafficking
The case started when police found a 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old girl at the Bay Breeze Inn in Oakland.

Judge dismisses man’s murder charge over deadly East Bay confrontation
A woman testified to the victim's aggressiveness before the shooting, alleging he called her multiple racial slurs.

Prosecutors dismiss East Bay jail shank case six days after filing it
He told police the sharpened toothbrush was stashed in his sock for "self-defense," according to court records.

Man guilty of murder in East Bay 24 Hour Fitness shooting
Faatino Tauane, 23, was one of two people arrested in the 2022 shooting.

Oakland man gets 40-years-to-life for murder during routine marijuana deal
Redman Collins shot and killed a man during a simple marijuana transaction in 2022.

Getaway driver in ‘Ghost Town’ robbery spree sentenced to prison
The defense said his "mistakes" came after a lifetime of trauma, but prosecutors said he committed robberies while serving as a "youth mentor" on the taxpayer's doll.

Two girls ran away from their group home. That night they were sexually abused by an Oakland pimp, police say
The suspect was investigated for two alleged rapes back in August, but never charged, according to authorities.

Man charged with wrecking car containing 4-year-old son, killing woman, while speeding drunk through East Bay
He was driving drunk at 88 mph through city streets with his 4-year-old in the car, police say.

East Bay man, charged with murdering mom, becomes his own lawyer
During his at times bizarre self-lawyering, Malcolm Tilley thanked police for doing him "a favor" with their testimony as he was held to answer on murder charges.