Accused shooter will represent self in court

A Groveland man who made national headlines more than a year ago after authorities said he opened fire on California Highway Patrol officers in Oakland is representing himself in court, according to prosecutors.

Byron Williams, 46, is accused of igniting a 20-minute shootout after being pulled over on an Oakland freeway July 17, 2010.
   

Williams, who is in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, has a hearing scheduled in Alameda County Superior Court on Wednesday, and prosecutors hope to finally move forward with their case against him after a year and a half of delays.  

Williams pleaded not guilty on Aug. 11, 2010, and since then a series of pre-trial conferences and continuances have ensued.    

The Groveland resident is facing his third strike and life in prison if convicted on the four counts of attempted murder of a police officer and multiple weapons charges lodged against him by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.    

Williams’ two prior strikes are for federal bank robbery convictions in 1992 and 2002, according to Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Teresa Drenick.  

Cases with severe allegations and long possible sentences usually take a longer time to be heard, Drenick said.    

“For a case of this severity, it’s really not that old,” she said.    

No trial date can be set until after a preliminary hearing, which prosecutors are hoping will be scheduled at Wednesday’s hearing.    

Prior to the July 2010 incident, Williams was living next door to his mother’s home on the 9700 block of Smith Station Road.    

Authorities reported pulling over Williams on Interstate 580 because his white 2006 Toyota Tundra was swerving in and out of lanes.    

Williams allegedly opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun as CHP officers approached his vehicle.    

Officers retreated and returned fire. It was estimated more than 150 shots were fired during the exchange, which concluded with Williams surrendering after being shot numerous times.   

He was treated at Highland General Hospital before his arraignment in August 2010.  

He reportedly told police he disliked the liberal establishment and was traveling to San Francisco to kill prominent members of the ACLU and Tides Foundation, which proclaims to promote economic justice, democratic processes and human rights.    

Drenick said prosecutors could not discuss theories pertaining to defendant motivations prior to the trial.    

The ACLU and Tides Foundation did not return requests for comment about the case.