San Francisco, CA –San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Kevin Epps (58), after a trial by jury for shooting and killing a man in 2016. Mr. Epps was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “This verdict brings to a close a painful chapter for the victim’s family and friends and hopefully leaves them with a sense that justice has been done, although, nothing can undo the tragic events that occurred almost 10 years ago. My office is committed to pursuing justice for as long as it takes and will not be deterred; we are duty bound to follow the facts, evidence and the law in every case.”
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on October 24, 2016, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Mr. Epps shot and killed Mr. Polk. The shooting happened in the living room of the house of a woman who had known the victim since she was a young child. The woman was in the house at the time of the shooting along with members of Mr. Polk’s family. The victim was a frequent visitor to the house and had been there on October 22 and October 23 for several hours both days. At trial, witnesses testified that the gun used in the shooting belonged to Mr. Epps, and he stored it in a kitchen cabinet in the house. Immediately after shooting Mr. Polk, Mr. Epps removed several bags of marijuana, hid them in his car, and then surrendered to the police.
The case against Mr. Epps was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Schmidt, with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Douglass Keeley and Eugene Guerrero, and paralegals Jessica Diamond and Julio Flores Guzman. Victim Advocate Maria Reynoso 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.
“What happened on October 24, 2016, was a tragedy for all involved,” said Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Schmidt. “I hope this verdict gives a measure of comfort and closure to Mr. Polk’s family.”
Mr. Epps is currently out of custody. Sentencing will be scheduled after the jury returns a verdict on aggravating factors in this case.
Court Number: 19007140
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