San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Royce Colvin (35) after trial by jury for the brutal murder and robbery of a man in the Tenderloin in 2017. Mr. Colvin was convicted of first-degree murder (PC 187(a)) with an allegation that he personally used a firearm in the commission of the murder (PC 12022.53(d)). He was also convicted of one count of second-degree robbery (PC 211).
“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this case,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “Every day our lawyers work tirelessly to provide justice to victims and their families who have endured the worst pain and loss imaginable. The jury’s verdict delivers that justice and restores our faith that brazen, senseless, violence like this is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, during the late-night hours of March 27, 2017, Mr. Colvin confronted, beat and robbed the victim on the 600 block of Ellis Street. At the time of the incident, the victim was walking with a female companion when he was struck multiple times and thrown to the ground before having his cell phone and cash taken. After the initial confrontation, the victim called 9-1-1 from his companion’s phone to report the robbery and while speaking with emergency dispatch, Mr. Colvin used a semi-automatic firearm to shoot and kill the victim. After the cold-blooded murder, Mr. Colvin fled the scene. Police arrived shortly thereafter and found the victim lying in the middle of the street, suffering from a gunshot wound to the face.
The case against Mr. Colvin was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Butch Ford, with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Gino Guerrero, Omega Crum, and Doug Keely, paralegals Jessica Diamond and Julio Flores, and IT support from, Leland Chan and Ada Yu. Victim advocate Maria Reynoso worked closely with the victim’s family throughout the case. The Prosecution was able to present a strong case against Mr. Colvin based on the incredible work of San Francisco Police Department’s Homicide Investigators and former Oakland Police Department Officer Chris Moreno.
“This case exemplifies what a collaborative effort by various police agencies and committed law enforcement can accomplish,” said Assistant District Attorney Butch Ford. “I am thankful to our diligent San Francisco jurors for their efforts and appreciate the faith the victim’s family had in the investigators, the San Fransico District Attorney’s Office and in me. I hope this brings some small measure of closure for their wonderful family.”
Mr. Colvin is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2024.
Court Number: 17013308
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