Godfrey Jamal Jackson, 28, of Oakland, was convicted in December of second-degree murder for the death of 24-year-old MiAndrew Rachal, of Emeryville, in the 900 block of West MacArthur Boulevard at about 2:40 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2012.
In pronouncing her sentence against Jackson, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson said the shooting was "somewhat perplexing" and indicates that "we've reached a point in our community that being disrespected and engaging in a battle of words can result in the loss of life."
Thompson said Jackson, Rachal and others were drinking on the street in the early morning hours when "offensive words were exchanged" during an apparent "rap battle."
Jackson then obtained a gun and fired multiple shots at Rachal, who she said was "vulnerable and unarmed."
Rachal was struck by five shots and died at the scene, she said.
Jackson's term of 15 years to life for his second-degree murder conviction was doubled to 30 years to life because he has prior strike offenses, including lewd conduct with a 13-year-old girl. He also received 25 years to life for using a gun to kill Rachal and five years for his prior convictions.
Jackson was on the run for more than three months after the shooting but was finally arrested in Oakland on Dec. 13, 2012. Oakland police previously had received a tip on Oct. 15, 2012, that Jackson was at a house in the 900 block of 21st Street in West Oakland but he was not found after an extensive search by SWAT officers.
Jackson's lawyer, James Mann, asked Thompson today to sentence Jackson to a shorter term because he had a difficult childhood in which he suffered "psychological and physical trauma."
Prosecutor Autrey James said he sympathizes with the fact that Jackson's upbringing "was not the best" but said Jackson should be held responsible for his actions because he had the opportunity to get counseling after his previous convictions.
