CrimeWatch

RICHMOND (BCN) ― Marin County Sheriff Robert Doyle Wednesday defended the actions of two sheriff's detectives who came upon the scene of the double homicide at the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll plaza last week.

Doyle took issue with media reports stating East Bay law enforcement officials have been questioning whether the two female detectives, returning from San Pablo in unmarked cars, could have intervened to prevent the shooting or pursue the suspect, 46-year-old Nathaniel Burris of Richmond.

Burris has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his ex-girlfriend, 51-year-old Deborah Ross, and 58-year-old San Leandro resident Ersie "Chuck" Everette.

Everette was shot first by his truck in a parking lot at the toll plaza and Ross was shot in a tollbooth.

Burris has also been charged with enhancements for allegedly using a shotgun to commit both murders and the special circumstances allegations that he committed multiple murders and committed them by lying in wait, charges that make him eligible for the death penalty.

"The controversy in this case has been driven by the media, not be either the Sheriff's Office or the Richmond Police Department," Doyle said.

In a news release, Doyle cited the "chaotic environment and split-second decision-making that was required of them for an incident that took less than one minute from the time the deputies heard the shots being fired until the suspect fled the area."

Doyle said, "As the detectives each approached the bridge in their unmarked cars, they saw a man running through the toll plaza in heavy commute traffic.

"From their distance of about 75 to 100 yards away, they heard several gunshots. As one detective immediately called the sheriff's dispatch center to report the shots fired, she saw a vehicle speed away from the scene eastbound on Interstate 580," Doyle said.

The detective was stuck in heavy traffic in the westbound lane at the toll plaza and she gave a description of the fleeing vehicle, Doyle said.

The other detective moved her unmarked car to block traffic to prevent others from entering the scene and putting themselves in harm's way in case there were additional shooters in the area, Doyle said.

"While one detective was trying to provide for the safety of other people on the bridge, the other detective rushed to the toll plaza to attempt to render medical aid to the victim," Doyle said.

The detective's description of the suspect's vehicle "was crucial in assisting the Richmond Police Department investigators with identifying the suspect and eventually assisted in leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case," Doyle said.

Marin County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Debra Barry said the unmarked cars have sirens and forward-facing lights mounted inside on car's windshield but she does not know if the detectives used them or in any other way announced their presence.

Burris fled the toll plaza in a Western Eagle Transit van, Richmond police said. He was arrested by the California Highway Patrol around 3 a.m. Aug. 12 on Interstate Highway 80 in Placer County.

Doyle said he is outraged at "critics who were not present at the scene, and yet are second guessing the actions of the deputies who were at the scene."

"Some news reports have suggested that a rift has developed between the Richmond Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff's Office as a result of this unfortunate incident," Doyle said.

"The Marin County Sheriff's Office disagrees with that characterization and continues to work cooperatively with the Richmond Police Department on this active homicide investigation," Doyle said.

In response to the media reports, Richmond Police Department Deputy Chief Ed Medina said this afternoon, "It was a confusing situation I'm sure and we do appreciate the help they (the detectives) gave."

"Somebody is trying to make something out of what might not be," Medina said.

Debra Barry said Doyle had no other comments other than those in the news release.

Burris is scheduled to enter a plea Thursday in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez.

In court on Friday, he admitted killing Ross, his former girlfriend, and Everette, a Golden Gate Transit bus driver, and said he didn't care if he received the death penalty.

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