Cynthia Mose, a 56-year-old woman from Stockton, California, was tragically murdered on September 7, 2020, during her birthday party in East Palo Alto. The incident occurred at 1720 W. Bayshore Road, where Mose was celebrating her birthday and also commemorating her brother's recent passing. The celebration turned fatal when her ex-boyfriend, Joey Harris, 55, also from Stockton, shot her. According to police reports, the two had traveled together to East Palo Alto for the event.
The shooting happened after they stepped outside the building where the party was taking place. Harris shot Mose once in the chest and once in the back, leading to her immediate death at the scene despite efforts by officers to save her.
The motive behind the shooting was rooted in jealousy and a heated argument that erupted between Mose and Harris during the party. Harris, who was in the process of separating from Mose, became enraged and retrieved a handgun. He then demanded that Mose step outside with him, where he fatally shot her. After the shooting, Harris fled the scene but was quickly identified by partygoers as the shooter. He later turned himself in to the Stockton Police Department and handed over the murder weapon.
Following his arrest, Harris was charged with murder and held without bail in Redwood City. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed that he acted in the heat of passion, which he argued should reduce the charge to voluntary manslaughter. The case proceeded to trial, where Harris's defense centered on this claim. However, the prosecution maintained that the shooting was premeditated and driven by jealousy, seeking a first-degree murder conviction. Harris's preliminary hearing was scheduled for January 14, 2021, as he remained in custody on a $10 million bail.
The murder of Cynthia Mose marked the fourth homicide in East Palo Alto in 2020, highlighting ongoing concerns about violence in the area. The case drew significant attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding Mose's death and the swift identification and arrest of the suspect. The legal proceedings against Joey Harris continued to unfold, with the community closely watching for justice to be served for Cynthia Mose.
