Maurice Hiley, a 34-year-old resident of Oakland, California, was tragically shot and killed on December 13, 2014. The incident occurred outside his home in the 2000 block of 85th Avenue, near Bancroft Avenue, at approximately 8:10 p.m. Responding officers found Hiley unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into his death led to the arrest of Rayvaughn Tercel Collins, a 27-year-old ex-convict, on January 20, 2015, in the 1400 block of 84th Avenue, just a few blocks from the murder scene.
Collins was apprehended without incident after officers observed him loitering in the area. During the arrest, officers found suspected powder cocaine in a baggie hidden in Collins' beanie cap, which he admitted to possessing. Collins, who was on probation for a petty theft conviction at the time, was identified by witnesses as the suspect who shot and killed Hiley. When interviewed by police, Collins waived his right to an attorney and admitted to being present at the crime scene.
In addition to the murder charge, Collins faced charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors highlighted his prior felony convictions, including attempted second-degree robbery in 2008 and petty theft in 2014. Collins pleaded not guilty to the charges and was scheduled to return to Alameda County Superior Court for a pretrial hearing on April 20, 2015. The case against Collins was built on witness testimonies and his own admission of being at the scene, although he denied committing the murder.
The tragic death of Maurice Hiley and the subsequent arrest of Rayvaughn Tercel Collins brought attention to the ongoing issues of violence and crime in Oakland. The legal proceedings aimed to bring justice for Hiley and his family, while also addressing the broader concerns of public safety in the community. The case underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling violent crime and the importance of community cooperation in solving such cases.
