A Fremont man was charged Tuesday with one count of murder with a gang enhancement in the of a senior.
In a courtroom filled with the loved ones of Osana Futi, who was about a month away from his graduation ceremony, Abraham Ibrahim Hade, 18, was charged with one count of murder with a clause added that accuses him of committing a crime in association with a street gang.
As Superior Court Judge Richard Keller Keller read the charges to Hade at the Fremont Hall of Justice, he answered with “Yes, sir.” But when asked whether he wanted a public defender, the defendant stalled and then proceeded to answer with a brash “Yeah.”
“The word is 'yes,' not 'yeah,' ” Keller said.
Hade is expected to return to court for further arraignment at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Fremont courthouse.
Hade is charged with killing Futi, who died Sunday from “severe stab wounds” after a fight that took place outside of a Fremont house party on Saturday night.
Alameda County District Attorney spokeswoman Teresa Drenick, who said she couldn’t speak about the case directly, said generally the sentence for a murder charge is anywhere from 25 years to life in prison. She added that a gang enhancement clause could increase the sentence.
Hade was , who police say are facing charges related to being accessories to homicide.
Futi’s aunt and legal guardian Soliafoli Ieremia said the arrests of the suspects has left her with mixed emotions. Ieremia has raised Futi since he moved from Samoa to the United States when he was 11.
“I’m glad they did make an arrest, but I have no animosity toward him or his family,” Ieremia said. “Only because I’m a Christian. That’s how we were taught, to always forgive.”
Ieremia said she raised all of her children with the Christian faith and that the Christian faith is strong within the Samoan community.
The Newark woman also said she feels fortunate that so many people came to the courthouse in support of Futi and her entire family.
“We’re a tight-knit community, the Samaon community. … and living in Newark, we’re also tight-knit,” Ieremia said. “I feel blessed.”
Hade is being held at Fremont City Jail on no bail.
