DA Seeks Changes in 2020 Castro Valley Murder
A Castro Valley man convicted of murdering his friend could see his sentence changed to involuntary manslaughter and time served cut to 4 years instead of 50 years to life, the Alameda County District Attorney's office said last week.
James Joseph Vega is currently serving time without bail at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin for the April 2020 murder of 18-year-old Jarin Purvis. Purvis, Vega, and other friends were playing with Vega’s gun and smoking marijuana in the bedroom of an apartment on the 3400 block of Redwood Court in Castro Valley, according to police reports.
The gun jammed when Vega attempted to test-fire it. Vega, Purvis, and a group of friends examined the gun. Another man took it apart and cleaned it. Witnesses said Vega and Purvis were playing with the gun and laughing when the gun accidentally fired. Purvis was shot in the face and killed.
Initial police intelligence suggested that Purvis shot himself. Reports at the time called the self-inflicted fatal wound “suspicious.” After further investigation, Vega provided a full confession and told police he did not realize the gun was loaded.
In November 2020, investigators charged Vega with murder with a special circumstance enhancement, which exposed him to a sentence of 50 years to life.
Based on the factual analysis of evidence in this case, the Alameda County District Attorney’s office says it will file to amend the charges in the fatal shooting. Vega will now face involuntary manslaughter because of the amended complaint. He also faces charges related to carrying a concealed and loaded firearm.
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said she came to the decision because “there is no evidence of an argument, conflict or animosity before this tragic incident took place.”
“This man did not intentionally shoot his friend,” said DA Price. “This was clearly a mistake. Mr. Vega admits that. Other witnesses agree. His behavior was inexcusably negligent, but this was an accident. While we deeply empathize with Mr. Purvis’ family and friends, James Joseph Vega should not, potentially, spend decades of his life behind bars for a tragic mistake.”
DA Price's office said that prosecutors met with Purvis's family to explain the new charges.