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
![Ty Bothwell-Mitlitsky was 18 when he fatally stabbed his 62-year-old mother's boyfriend in their bed for no apparent reason, police said at the time. Ty Bothwell-Mitlitsky was 18 when he fatally stabbed his 62-year-old mother's boyfriend in their bed for no apparent reason, police said at the time.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-SLANHOM-1111-012.jpg?w=132)
East Bay man not guilty by reason of insanity in stabbing death of mom’s boyfriend
Ty Bothwell-Mitlitsky was 18 when he fatally stabbed his 62-year-old mother's boyfriend in their bed for no apparent reason, police said at the time.
![The brother's defendant later called it "goofy gang s---" and said that his brother fired at a moving car believing that someone in the vehicle would soon open fire. The brother's defendant later called it "goofy gang s---" and said that his brother fired at a moving car believing that someone in the vehicle would soon open fire.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/EBT-L-OAKCOURT-05XX-13.jpg?w=127)
‘It’s not a clean case’: Oakland man gets 6 years for fatal shooting outside corner store
The brother's defendant later called it "goofy gang s---" and said that his brother fired at a moving car believing that someone in the vehicle would soon open fire.
![A judge said the potential defense included details he found "distasteful" but was still going ahead with the plea deal. A judge said the potential defense included details he found "distasteful" but was still going ahead with the plea deal.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-SLANHOM-1111-012.jpg?w=132)
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‘You killed my son’: East Bay man released in plea deal over 2021 fatal stabbing where he claimed self-defense
A judge said the potential defense included details he found "distasteful" but was still going ahead with the plea deal.
![The suspect was arrested thanks to a DNA match from items found in both homes. The suspect was arrested thanks to a DNA match from items found in both homes.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cct-crimelab-0612-09.jpg?w=123)
Man charged in East Bay burglaries totaling $80,000
The suspect was arrested thanks to a DNA match from items found in both homes.
![Generic Police photo Generic Police photo](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/EBT-L-RICHMONDPD-XXXX-4.jpg?w=132)
Man charged with murdering cousin during family gathering in East Bay
Images and video were circulated on social media, depicting the party and the shooting victims lying in a pool of blood, which helped police identify a suspect.
![The man had just deposited $11,000 when he was robbed of $30,000 in cash by the man at the ATM next to him. The man had just deposited $11,000 when he was robbed of $30,000 in cash by the man at the ATM next to him.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ocr-l-deputy-0910-01-1.jpg?w=132)
Oakland man charged in $30,000 robbery at bank ATM
The man had just deposited $11,000 when he was robbed of $30,000 in cash by the man at the ATM next to him.
![Alameda County and Santa Clara County courts released statements that they have been experiencing disruptions to their computer systems Friday morning and warned the public to expect delays. Alameda County and Santa Clara County courts released statements that they have been experiencing disruptions to their computer systems Friday morning and warned the public to expect delays.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Worldwide_Internet_Outage_52208.jpg?w=132)
Bay Area courts provide minimal services amid global tech outage
Alameda County and Santa Clara County courts released statements that they have been experiencing disruptions to their computer systems Friday morning and warned the public to expect delays.
![After the homicide, Oakland police received an anonymous tip involving allegations of infidelity between the couple, but never figured out the identity of the caller. After the homicide, Oakland police received an anonymous tip involving allegations of infidelity between the couple, but never figured out the identity of the caller.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/EBT-L-OAKCOURT-05XX-15.jpg?w=140)
Oakland man gets 15 years in prison for killing fiancée
After the homicide, Oakland police received an anonymous tip involving allegations of infidelity between the couple, but never figured out the identity of the caller.
![The group was reportedly hiding large shipments of drugs in semi-trucks and crossing the border to awaiting labs and safe houses sprinkled throughout California. The group was reportedly hiding large shipments of drugs in semi-trucks and crossing the border to awaiting labs and safe houses sprinkled throughout California.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EBT-L-SMUGGLE-0719-2.jpg?w=93)
They purportedly shipped vegetables into California from Mexico. But this trucking company was secretly moving 6+ tons of meth.
The group was reportedly hiding large shipments of drugs in semi-trucks and crossing the border to awaiting labs and safe houses sprinkled throughout California.
![A 26-year-old man was shot and killed by a man who pulled up in a different vehicle and engaged him in conversation briefly before the shooting. A 26-year-old man was shot and killed by a man who pulled up in a different vehicle and engaged him in conversation briefly before the shooting.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/crime-lights.jpg?w=132)
Oakland police identify man shot and killed on June 29
A 26-year-old man was shot and killed by a man who pulled up in a different vehicle and engaged him in conversation briefly before the shooting.