San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Dennis Duree (41), after a trial by jury for attacking two people on Mission Street that left one dead and one injured. Mr. Duree was convicted of first-degree murder with an allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon in the commission of the murder found true. He was also convicted of first-degree attempted murder, with an allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon found true, and assault with a deadly weapon.
“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “This verdict delivers justice to the surviving victim and to the friends and family of the victim who was tragically killed. There is no place for violence in our city, and my office will continue to do everything we can to make our city safer for all of our residents.”
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on December 28, 2023, at approximately 5:38 a.m., near the intersection of Washburn Alley and Mission Street, Mr. Duree stabbed and killed Brandon Mitchell and stabbed and injured a woman. Prior to the incident, the victims had set up an encampment on the sidewalk on the 1300 block of Mission Street near where Mr. Duree had been loitering for hours. Mr. Duree joined the victims, whom he was acquainted with, on a mattress that had been set up on the sidewalk. He then began to smoke “dope” and kept falling asleep and dropping his “dope.” He then began repeatedly accusing the victims of taking his dope. Immediately prior to the killing, Mr. Duree walked away and spoke to an unidentified suspect in a nearby alley. He then returned to Mission Street where he fatally stabbed Mr. Mitchell and then stabbed and injured the other victim.
The case against Mr. Duree was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan King, with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Douglass Keeley, paralegals Jessica Diamond, Julio Flores Guzman. Victim Advocate Ruben Marquez worked closely with the victim’s family through the pendency of this case. The case was solved and successfully prosecuted as a result of the thorough investigation of the San Francisco Police Department’s Homicide Unit.
“I would like to thank the jury for holding Mr. Duree accountable for taking Mr. Mitchell’s life and carrying out extreme violence against his companion,” said Assistant District Attorney Ryan King. “Mr. Mitchell will be forever loved and remembered by his friends and family.”
Mr. Duree is currently in custody. Sentencing will be scheduled at a hearing on January 29, 2026.
Court Numbers: 24000559
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