*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Contact:  Officer Joe Okies  #71

                 BPD Public Information Officer

                 (510) 981- 5752  

Reward Offered
in Berkeley’s First Homicide of  2005

Berkeley, California (Thursday March 10, 2005) – The City of Berkeley is offering a $15,000 reward for information regarding the city’s first homicide of 2005.  On February 8^th, 2005 just before 1:00 AM officers responded to an assault call involving two male suspects and an unknown victim the area of University and California.  Officers arrived and discovered 49 year-old Maria King severely beaten and unconscious.  Ms. King was transported to Highland Hospital where she remained in critical condition until February 20^th 2005 when she succumbed to her injuries.  One suspect was arrested near the scene the night of the incident, however a second suspect, described only as a male wearing dark clothing is still outstanding. 

Homicide investigators have been working diligently to identify the second suspect in this case, and are now seeking help from the public.  The City of Berkeley is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the outstanding suspect. Sgt. Nonoguchi the lead investigator on this case said, “I hope the reward will encourage people to step forward and identify the second suspect in this case so we may take this violent criminal into custody.”