3 take plea deals in slaying of security guard Kevin Nishita in Oakland

Three take plea deals in shooting death of security guard Kevin Nishita

Three men will spend decades in prison after accepting plea deals in the 2021 shooting death of TV-crew security guard Kevin Nishita, a retired police officer.

OAKLAND, Calif. - On the eve of their trial, three men charged in the murder of Kevin Nishita have accepted plea deals in the case and will spend decades in prison.

Nishita, a retired police officer, was shot and killed in November 2021 while working as a security guard protecting a television news reporter in Oakland.

Laron Gilbert, 31, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on April 7. His attorney declined to comment Friday.

What we know:

Gilbert's accomplices, Shadihia Mitchell, 29, and Hershel Hale, 28, each pleaded no contest to robbery and are to be sentenced to 25 years in prison.

"I'm numb with exhaustion," Nishita's widow Virginia Nishita said Friday. "I've been faithfully in these courtrooms for for four years."

She added, "I can't say that I'm happy, because this is not a joyful occasion. Kevin will never come home."

In 2021, her husband was working as a security guard protecting a television news reporter covering a break-in in downtown Oakland. 

He was shot and killed by Gilbert as the men tried to steal the reporter's equipment.

What we know:

Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said it was unusual for a defendant to plead guilty to first-degree murder as charged.

"I don't remember a first-degree murder that somebody admitted to," she said. "We've had second-degree murder pleas, but a first-degree murder is something outside of the pale of normal."

Deputy District Attorney Allyson Donovan said, "This is a victim-centered DA's office, and it brings me lots of joy to be able to deliver justice to all of the victims in this case, and to Kevin's family. 

Kevin Nishita served as a police officer with the Oakland Housing Authority, Hayward and San Jose police before retiring as a Colma police sergeant in 2018.

Dig deeper:

Virginia Nishita had worked on the successful recall of former DA Pamela Price.

"I know he's proud of me and his family," she said though tears.

During the news conference, Price was never mentioned by name and only referred to as the "previous administration." Price had removed special circumstances in the case, which took life without parole off the table.

Still, Virginia Nishita said she believes justice was served.

"A huge thank-you to the current DA's office in driving this to the very end and getting true justice for Kevin," she said.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan