Contra Costa County courts reporter

Nate Gartrell

Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014 after a year spent working at a beer supply warehouse. Outside of journalism, he doesn't do much. He endeavors to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.

The crime scene from a Salinas shooting linked to the so-called Norteno ‘Murder Squad.’ (Northern District Court Records)

As a boy, he killed for the Norteño gang. Now in his 20s, he’ll serve 19 years for it

February 27, 2026 at 4:12 p.m.

He participated in two gang-related homicides, shooting one victim in the head, when he was just 17.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) breaks through tackles by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) and Tre’von Moehrig (25) to score a 14-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

One hospitalized after co-workers argue about Raiders and 49ers

November 26, 2025 at 11:02 a.m.

The two co-workers were arguing about football, then one of them woke up in the hospital.

Oakland Raiders principal owner Al Davis and his wife Carol are seen cradling a trophy. (Chris Kjobech/The Oakland Tribune)

Carol Davis, Raiders co-owner, dead at 93

October 27, 2025 at 12:46 p.m.

Hall of Fame center Jim Otto once remarked that "Al Davis is a tough son of a gun. So is Mrs. Davis."

A view of the Robert F. Peckham Federal Courthouse on July 30, 2012, in San Jose, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

‘I was trying to do a good deed’: Monterey County man charged with arranging to buy 12-year-old girl online

June 3, 2025 at 10:53 a.m.

The defendant is a respiratory therapist who works in Monterey County, and allegedly arranged to buy a 12-year-old and 14-year-old on a prostitution site.

Steph Curry, right, reacts as his wife Ayesha Curry, center, with daughter Ryan Curry, left, remove a snowball that was dropped in his sweatshirt during Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation’s Christmas with the Curry’s party at The Bridge Yard in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. The nonprofit hosted 500 families at the event. (Josie Lepe for Bay Area News Group)

Ex-director of Oakland nonprofit admits bilking $50,000 donation from Steph and Ayesha Curry

April 24, 2025 at 4:15 a.m.

Howard Solomon embezzled money from the East Oakland Boxing club, including a $50,000 donation that came from Steph and Ayesha Curry, to pay for a Cadillac Escalade and other things.

OAKLAND, CA – JULY 18: Ayesha Curry and her husband Stephen Curry are photographed during a launch party for the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation on Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha Curry founded the organization to help provide healthy food, education, and physical activity to underprivileged children in the Bay Area. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Nonprofit ex-director, charged with pocketing $50,000 donation from Steph and Ayesha Curry, to plead guilty

May 8, 2025 at 7:47 a.m.

Prosecutors say he embezzled more than $150,000 in money meant for the East Oakland boxing club, including a $50,000 check from the Bay Area's favorite power couple.

Police cited this post as one of many threats allegedly made by Nicholas Wheeler before his Seaside home was raided by police in Monterey.

Seaside man faces extradition after allegedly posting social media threats to shoot up Indiana State University

April 18, 2024 at 1:11 p.m.

Nicholas Wheeler, 27, is in Santa Rita Jail pending extradition to Indiana where he faces federal charges of threatening to kidnap or injure university officials.

Attorney General Rob Bonta, center, takes part in a press conference on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. Bonta announced a civil rights investigation into the Antioch Police Department. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

California Attorney General announces major civil rights investigation into Antioch police

May 11, 2023 at 4:03 a.m.

The announcement comes weeks after revelations that Antioch officers were sending racist text messages, on top of the fact that at least eight current and former officers who are under...

Antoine Watt and Aaron Williams, from left, attend a rally at Antioch police headquarters in Antioch, Calif., on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Antioch police racism could lead to unprecedented mass dismissals in criminal court

May 5, 2023 at 6:55 a.m.

Contra Costa supervisors unanimously approved the hiring of 10 attorneys to go through the mountain of potentially thousands of criminal cases that could be dismissed.

Solar panels on the roof at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, Calif. on Friday, March 19, 2010.

Walnut Creek: Boy allegedly wore ‘Scream’ mask, lured girl to secluded part of school campus, then stabbed her throat

May 2, 2023 at 2:56 p.m.

The victim later told police that the boy had an interest in horror films, but didn't know why he attacked her.

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