Contra Costa Sheriff Announces Verdicts Reached in Two In-Custody Deaths

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury Friday reached a finding in the September 24, 2020 death of 32-year-old Levele Lee Williams of Pittsburg. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident. Williams was injured after being assaulted by inmates at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was taken to a local hospital. Williams apparently suffered from complications during surgery and was later pronounced deceased while at the hospital.

The coroner’s jury, which heard two inquests Friday, also reached a finding in the October 17, 2020 death of 42-year-old Gregory Lane Lynds of Antioch. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdicts in both inquests after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officers, Laura Pagey and Matthew Guichard.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding:

• Accident
• Suicide
• Natural Causes
• At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Editors note:

Levele Lee Williams was arrested by the Pittsburg Police Department on September 9, 2020. He was booked into MDF on the following charges: assault with a deadly weapon (firearm), felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, and having a concealed weapon in his vehicle. In addition, there was a Ramey warrant for his arrest for murder and another warrant with charges that include domestic violence and making criminal threats — see original story

Gregory Lynds was originally arrested by the Antioch Police Department and was booked into jail on October 2, 2020. He was being held on two felony counts of elder abuse (likely to produce great bodily harm or death), two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, parole violation, and battery on a peace officer — See original story