Robber shot to death by intended victim had fake AK-47 By Roman Gokhman and Robert Salonga Contra Costa Times Article Launched: 08/05/2008 10:07:22 AM PDT

ANTIOCH — A Brentwood man who was shot to death Sunday had conspired with another man in a botched robbery during an alleged drug deal, police said Tuesday. Meanwhile, they believe the victim's co-conspirator may be linked to a separate shooting case.

Curtis Pounds Jr., 20, was found fatally wounded about 10:45 p.m. Sunday in the 800 block of West Eighth Street. His alleged shooter, Samson Elijah Kaleioka Kapana, 23, of Antioch, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday morning but was released after questioning.

"We haven't arrested him," Antioch police Lt. Leonard Orman said. "He's cooperating with us. It will be up to the district attorney's office (to file drug-related charges)."

Police say another man, 20-year-old Jahnathan Antonio Cox, arranged the meeting with Kapana that led to Pounds' death. Cox was arrested hours after the shooting and remains at County Jail on $1.1 million bail.

"Cox told us he and Pounds conspired to rob Kapana," Orman said. "Cox buys marijuana from Kapana. He owes Kapana some money."

Police said Cox called Kapana and arranged a meeting where he said he would buy marijuana and pay him the money owed. Cox then arranged to have Pounds rob him and Kapana during the meeting, and they allegedly planned to split the money.

According to court records, Pounds had recently served five months in jail for robbery and theft convictions in November and March of last year. He also served jail time Advertisement for a burglary conviction from May 2006.

As planned, Pounds showed up during the arranged meeting between Cox and Kapana, carrying a fake gun.

"Pounds is holding what appears to be an AK-47, but it's plastic," Orman said. "Pounds points it at (Kapana) and demands money. Kapana pulls out a real gun and shoots Pounds."

Cox was arrested a few hours later and booked into County Jail on suspicion of murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Orman said the murder charge is being recommended because Cox was involved in a felony that led to a death. The case will be submitted to prosecutors this morning.

Police do not plan to recommend murder charges against Kapana, who they believe acted in self-defense.

"What caused all of this was Cox and Pounds," Orman said.

While police were interviewing him, Cox allegedly admitted to shooting 24-year-old Michael Stephens at the intersection of West 10th and J streets on Sept. 25, 2007.

In that case, the victim was approached by two men — one of whom police say was Cox — and words were exchanged.

Cox told police he thought Stephens was reaching for a gun, although he did not see one, so he shot him. Stephens was paralyzed.

"We brought that incident up during interrogation," Orman said. "It occurred in the same area. There were some shootings and some botched robberies in the area. We will be looking into those other cases to determine if (Cox) was involved or not."

Orman said detectives will discuss with prosecutors the possibility of charging Cox in connection with the earlier shooting.

Staff writer Malaika Fraley contributed to this story. Reach Roman Gokhman at 925-945-4780 or rgokhman@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Submitted on 08/28/2008

Submitted by: drew @ san jose
Reference: http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10104142

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
While we typically require actual self-selection (removing oneself from the gene pool) I think we can bend the rule for this one. Only an idiot would plan to rob a guy during a drug deal using a plastic machine gun. He certainly got what he deserved. Thanks, Drew!

Tracy said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I agree with Bruce that technically there's no self-selection here - but taking a plastic ak-47 to visit a drug-dealer is REALLY stupid