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Assault charge becomes murder

Daily Planet Staff
Thursday August 10, 2000

Daily Planet Staff 

 

The Berkeley Police have charged John Everett Lewis of Richmond with the murder of Doran Williams, 48, of Berkeley after Lewis allegedly punched Williams and caused him to hit his head on the pavement and slip into a coma from which he never recovered. 

Williams was taken off life support and died around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. 

Lt. Russell Lopes said that the alleged offense occurred Aug. 2 around 8:30 p.m. when Lewis accosted Williams and an argument ensued in the parking lot of the Stanford Liquor store at 3400 Adeline St. Lewis than retaliated by striking the victim in the face and knocking him down causing him to hit his head, Lopes said. 

Williams was rushed to Highland Hospital where he underwent surgery and was placed on life support. 

Lopes said the Berkeley Police picked Lewis up Friday on charges of felony assault and parole violation. The charges were updated to murder Tuesday.