Convicted killer curses judge, promises to 'beat' prosecutor

March 14, 2002

By Glenn Chapman
STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- Convicted murderer Willie Green jerked at his shackles in an Oakland courtroom Wednesday as he cursed at a judge and vowed menacingly that the prosecutor would see him again.

Green's venomous tirade came during a hearing held one day after a jury found the 45-year-old Oakland man guilty of a lethal West Oakland attack that could earn him the death penalty.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Nieto and Green's attorneys, Daniel Horowitz and James Giller, were discussing details of the coming penalty phase of the trial when Green turned his ire on the prosecutor.

During a profanity laden rant, Green threatened to "beat" Nieto and warned Nieto had not seen the last of him. Green spat insults at Sarkisian after the judge tried to quell the outburst.

Green waved his arms, yanking his chains to the limit, as he spoke. Before leading Green into the courtroom for Wednesday's hearing, a bailiff noticed he had wriggled from the waist chain to which his wrists were linked. Green was reportedly holding his hands close together in front of his waist, masking the fact he was not fully shackled.

Bailiffs cinched the waist chain back and checked the chains fastening Green's handcuffed wrists before leading Green before Sarkisian. Jurors were not in court.

The jury will reconvene March 25 for the trial's penalty phase, during which they will decide whether Green should be executed or sent to prison for the rest of his natural life.

On Tuesday, jurors convicted Green of murdering 27-year-old Charles Hass and trying to murder Aaron Merritt after the pair stepped from a Peralta Street liquor store about 10:30 p.m. Jan. 27, 2001. Green claimed to be a police officer and pulled Hass into the shadows, where an unknown man held Hass while Green tried to rob him, witnesses said.

Merritt, 29, testified he was stabbed in the lung by Green when he went to rescue Hass. Hass was fatally stabbed by Green, Nieto charged.

Green's violent criminal history and the aftermath of the stabbings will be showcased during the penalty phase. Horowitz told Sarkisian that Green wished not to attend a hearing taking place today.

"He realizes he might be burdening the court with his emotions and asks to be excused," Horowitz said of Green.