Verdict Reached in Lawmaker's Carjacking Trial

An Alameda County Superior Court jury today found an Oakland man guilty of 12 felony counts stemming from a nearly two-week crime spree that  included firing shots in a robbery that struck and paralyzed a young boy.

Jared Adams was accused of crimes including carjacking former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata's car and firing shots in a gas  station robbery that struck 10-year-old Christopher Rodriguez as he took a  piano lesson.

The verdict was read in the courtroom of Alameda County Superior Court Judge Larry Goodman at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland.

Adams was found guilty of 12 felony counts, including attempted murder, assault with a firearm, robbery, carjacking, auto theft, evading a  police officer and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

The attempted murder charge is for allegedly firing three shots at  Tejpal Singh, an attendant at the Chevron gas station at 4400 Piedmont Ave.  in Oakland, which Adams is accused of robbing on Jan. 10, 2008.
 
According to prosecutor Nancy O'Malley, one of the three shots  allegedly fired by Adams traveled across the street, went through a wall and  struck Rodriguez, who was 10 at the time, while he was taking a piano lesson  at the Harmony Road Music School.

Adams also is accused of carjacking Perata's red Dodge Charger at the intersection of 51st Street and Shattuck Avenue in Oakland on Dec. 29,  2007.

Adams' ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old Maeve Clifford, was charged with 10 felony counts in connection with the alleged crime spree, but on Jan. 12  prosecutors allowed her to plead guilty to two felony counts in exchange for  her testimony against Adams.

The plea agreement calls for Clifford, who testified two weeks ago, to be sentenced to six years in state prison.

A third defendant, 24-year-old Ryan McGough, also pleaded guilty  to various felony charges but did not testify against Adams. His plea bargain  calls for him to be sentenced to between 15 and 20 years in state prison.

O'Malley said Adams now faces life in prison when he is sentenced.  A sentencing date has not yet been set.

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