San Jose: Man pleads no contest to murdering Oakland firefighter in 2017
SAN JOSE — With his trial approaching, a man pleaded no contest Monday to murdering a newly graduating Oakland firefighter as he and other academy mates left a brewery near Japantown two years ago in what authorities called a completely unprovoked attack.
Oliver Juinio, 29, a San Jose resident and Philippine national, entered the plea in a San Jose courtroom packed with family and friends of slain firefighter Jake Walter, as well as about 20 members of the Oakland Fire Department, including Chief Darin White and Deputy Chief Melinda Drayton.
In addition to first-degree murder with a gun enhancement in Walter’s killing, Juinio also pleaded to attempted murder for wounding one of Walter’s academy mates in the late-night attack, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The plea will result in Juinio’s third conviction under the state’s three-strikes law, after he was convicted in a 2009 attempted burglary and a 2010 burglary in San Jose and Saratoga, the latter for which he served three years in prison.
For Walter’s killing and the injury to the second victim, Juinio faces a maximum of more than 200 years to life in prison. His sentencing date has not been scheduled pending a probation report due in October.
“I’m grateful that this individual is finally closer to sentencing for this senseless act,” Chief White said. “The loss of Jake to our members is long lasting. I can only imagine the pain and grief his parents and family are feeling.”
Walter’s mother Kate declined to comment about Juinio’s plea but was seen outside the courthouse embracing Walter’s colleagues and friends, and showing them gratitude for their support over the past two years.
In the courtroom, Juinio’s only remarks were saying “Yes” and “Yes Ma’am” to Judge Shelyna Brown as she asked him a series of questions about his no contest plea and ensuring that he fully understood what he was admitting.
Deputy District Attorney David Pandori also sought to affirm that Juinio and his attorney David Johnson understood that the conviction could affect the defendant’s residency status in the country, and corresponding immigration implications.
The off-duty firefighter who was wounded in the shooting recovered from his injuries and still serves with the Oakland Fire Department. He declined comment and asked not to be publicly identified.
Juinio’s plea comes nearly two years to the day of the Aug. 17, 2019 death of Walter, a Skyline High School alum who as a senior in 2006 was the baseball team’s captain and led the Titans to a section title. He returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for a few seasons, then left only go into the fire academy, which was a longtime goal for him.
Walter and four other off-duty firefighters, who had graduated four months earlier, were attending the Taylor Street Night Market at the brewery, where a food-and-music event was being held to honor the seventh anniversary of Cukui, an independent South Bay clothing company.
Pandori said eyewitness accounts and nearby surveillance video showed Juinio approached the group as they left the venue and opened fire in an unprovoked attack, contrary to Juinio’s initial accounts to San Jose police.
Juinio fled and was the subject of a manhunt that ended with his capture in a nearby back yard. The gun used in the shootings was also found and matched to the shells recovered at the crime scene, Pandori said.
A motive was never established in court.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s completely senseless and unprovoked,” Pandori said, then referenced the plea Monday. “He chose to accept responsibility. It’s a rare thing that happens, but for the sake of the victims in this case, it did happen, and we’re glad about that.”
Shaun Weissman, 30, a San Jose resident and friend of Walter’s, said the show of support in the courtroom was reflective of a broader commitment to supporting his family.
“The last couple of years have been tough for everyone,” he said. “It’s something that will affect us for the rest of our lives.”