No Plea Yet for Car Crash Murder Suspects

Deshon Collier and Jabrie Watts, both charged in a January home robbery that resulted in two deaths, appeared before a judge at the Fremont Hall of Justice on Friday morning.

According to Alameda County District Attorney Teresa Drenick, the two suspects did not enter a plea on Friday, as some had anticipated. Drenick said the two suspects are expected to appear in court again on April 13 to enter an official plea related to the three felony charges they both face - residential burglary in the first degree, being in possession of stolen property, and the murder of 69-year-old Pleasanton resident Robert Cheney.

The pair was arrested by Newark police on Jan. 18 after police say they attempted to  they participated in on Mistflower Avenue.

Authorities said an officer attempted to pull over the Chevy Malibu that was occupied by Collier, Watts and a third suspect when the driver of that vehicle drove southbound on Cedar Boulevard at speeds nearing 80 miles per hour.

The Chevy eventually crashed into a two-door Honda at Cherry Street and Mowry Avenue, instantly killing Cheney, the Honda's driver. The third suspect, Rajwaun Watkins,  after the crash as a result of head injuries he sustained in the incident.

Authorities have not yet determined who was driving, and Ernie Castillo, an attorney for Collier, previously said that matter was still under investigation. Castillo previously told Newark Patch he believes charging Collier with murder is "excessive," because he alleges Collier was not the driver of the car when it crashed into Cheney's car, killing him.

Police documents indicate the Chevy the suspects used was rented by Collier's mother, and that the suspects stole jewelry and a watch in the burglary at the home on Mistflower Avenue.

Authorities have said the two defendants have a criminal history.

Patch will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.