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Man faces at least 50 years in jail in killing of cop REGIONAL Oakland resident Mark Estrada, the man accused of killing Brentwood resident and Hayward Police Sgt. Scott Lunger following a traffic stop in 2015, has reached a plea deal with Alameda County prosecutors that could send him to jail for at least 50 years, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley recently announced. Estrada was convicted of first-degree murder and admitted to the use of the firearm that murdered Lunger, according to a news release from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Estrada’s sentencing is set for March 18. The agreement came one week before opening statements in the case were to begin. “We are pleased that the defendant has been held accountable for the violent murder of Hayward Police Sergeant Scott Lunger,” O’Malley said. “Sergeant Lunger’s tragic death shook the Hayward Police Department and community.
Police officers put themselves in harm’s way every day while working to keep our communities safe. It is imperative that we diligently pursue convictions and appropriate sentences for those who injure or kill police officers in the line of duty. We hope that this conviction and his sentencing will bring a sense of closure and justice for Sergeant Lunger’s family, friends, his law enforcement colleagues and the community.” Prosecutors alleged that Estrada, 21 at the time of the incident in 2015, opened fire on Lunger after being pulled over for driving erratically just after 3 a.m. on July 22 near Myrtle and Lion Streets in Hayward. Before Lunger approached the truck, Estrada fired three shots, striking Lunger in the head and leg. Estrada fled the scene but was arrested later the same day, according to the news release. Estrada was on trial in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic struck, resulting in a mistrial, according to the news release.
Staff Writer
REGIONAL Two local authors, Brandon Lawson and Gerald Botlz, are taking matters into their own hands. The authors have chosen to self-publish their respective novels in order to have greater control over the process and get around being ignored by major publishing companies. “Virtually no name publishers accept manuscripts from writers without agents,” Boltz said. “I tried for two years to get an agent without success. Very few even acknowledged my query.”
After encouragement from writer friends who enjoyed his work, the 82-year-old Bethel Island resident made the decision to publish his mystery thriller series himself. Since then, he has written four novels, with the first two widely available, even from major retailers such as Barnes & Noble. The other two books are in rewrites to be published soon. Boltz’s thrillers, first published in 2006, follow the adventures of Trenton Russell, a former government agent turned card counter on the blackjack circuit. The author drew from
Photo file photo
The man accused of killing Brentwood resident and Hayward Police Sgt. Scott Lunger (above) has reached a plea deal with Alameda County prosecutors that could send him to jail for at least 50 years. In the wake of Lunger’s death, a portion of State Route 4 between Laurel Road in Oakley and Balfour Road in Brentwood was named see Lunger page 17
see Author page 22
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Antioch resident Brandon Lawson poses with his new science fiction novel, “Nova’s Blade,” during an interview with The Press’s Kaitlyn Gleeson for a recent episode of the Clocked In with The Press podcast.
Classifieds ������������������������������������������������������������������ 19 Cop Logs ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
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REGIONAL Contra Costa County lifted the universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings this week to stay aligned with state guidelines. Unvaccinated people older than 2 are still required to wear masks in all indoor public settings. Businesses, venue operators and hosts may determine their own paths forward to protect staff and patrons and may choose to require all patrons to wear masks. Indoor masking is still required by the state for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in public transportation; health care settings; congregate settings like correctional facilities and homeless shelters; longterm care facilities; and in K-12 schools and childcare settings. The change aligns with the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) decision to let expire the statewide indoor mask requirement implemented on Dec. 15 during the latest COVID-19 surge. “Continuing to mask in indoor public settings, especially crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, remains the safest choice for an individual and protects those who are medically vulnerable or are not able to get vaccinated, like our youngest children,” read a joint statement from 11 Bay Area health officers “As evidence continues to show, vaccinations and boosters remain the best defense against the see Masks page 22
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