By Dave ‘Davey D’ Cook
Hard Knock Radio March 28 2025
Contra Costa County, CA — Community members, justice advocates, and grieving families are expressing outrage following the early release of former Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Hall, who was convicted for fatally shooting two residents—Tyrell Wilson and Laudemer Arboleda.
Hall, originally sentenced to six years in prison, is being released before serving even half of his sentence. The news has reignited pain and sparked calls for accountability among families and activists who fought to see justice served.
“This Is Not Acceptable,” Says Freewheelin’ Frank Sterling
Frank Sterling of KPFA, a longtime community journalist and organizer based in Antioch, helped bring together impacted families for a Hard Knock Radio roundtable. Sterling, known as “Freewheelin’ Frank,” helped organize an emergency rally to protest Hall’s early release.
“We’re going to have this emergency rally on Friday,” Sterling said. “This is not acceptable. He was supposed to serve 85% of his sentence. He’s not even doing half.”
The rally is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, 1980 Muir Road in Martinez.
A Father’s Grief: “He’ll Never Wear the Badge Again”
Marvin Wilson, the father of Tyrell Wilson, shared his emotional journey following his son’s death. A 31-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Wilson said his son grew up around good officers and was a Division I prospect in football and track.
“I don’t think it was enough time,” Wilson said of Hall’s sentence. “But he’ll never be able to take another life behind a badge I respected.”
Wilson emphasized the importance of training and accountability. “If there was another officer there that day, it might’ve gone differently,” he added. “Hall escalated instead of de-escalating. He saw the opportunity and took it.”
Jennifer Arboleda: “We’re Still Grieving”
Jennifer Arboleda, sister of Laudemer Arboleda, said the early release has re-traumatized her family.
“I’m still grieving,” she said. “There’s no way to wrap my head around this. Why did it take a second life for Hall to be prosecuted?”
Arboleda revealed that her family was the only one notified about the officer’s release. “There was no public notice. No parole hearing. Nothing,” she said. “It feels like a cover-up.”
Bella Quinto: “A Mental Health Crisis Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence”
Bella Quinto, sister of Angelo Quinto, spoke about the broader pattern of officers mishandling mental health crises.
“My brother was having a mental health crisis,” she said. “So was Laudemer. So was Tyrell. And it cost them their lives.”
Quinto has helped lead legislative efforts following her brother’s death. Her family successfully supported the passage of AB 490, banning restraints that cause positional asphyxia, and AB 360, which ended the use of “excited delirium” as a justification for in-custody deaths.
Still, she warned that progress is fragile.
“We’re in a time of regression,” Quinto said. “There are billionaires at the top of the hill throwing rocks down. But we have to keep pushing forward.”
Justice Deferred: A Broader Climate of Impunity
Host Davey D linked the local outrage to broader national trends. He pointed out that federal civil rights investigations into police misconduct have been dropped, and political figures like Elon Musk have called for pardons of convicted officers like Derek Chauvin.
“It’s like a bizarre world,” Davey D said. “We’re seeing people responsible for brutality being hailed as heroes, while families like these are left to pick up the pieces.”
Sterling shared another recent incident highlighting the lack of accountability. An Antioch officer under investigation had shown up at the police station armed and angry, yet was never arrested.
“They let him walk away,” Sterling said. “That’s special treatment.”
Marvin Wilson on Police Culture: “Good Officers Are Silenced”
Wilson emphasized that many officers want to speak out against wrongdoing—but fear retaliation.
“One sergeant only testified against Hall after he retired,” he explained. “While you’re active, speaking out could cost you your career, or worse.”
Jennifer: “These Are Lives We’re Talking About”
As the roundtable concluded, Arboleda made a final, impassioned plea:
“He’s taken two lives. We need to stop the cover-up. These are real people, not just statistics.”
Final Call: Stand with the Families
Frank Sterling closed with a direct appeal to the public:
“If we really believe this is wrong, we need to show up. These families should not be alone.”
The rally will take place Friday at 1 p.m. at 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA. Organizers say more details can be found on the Justice for Angelo Quinto social media pages.
“We must speak the truth and stand up for what’s right,” said Bella Quinto. “There will always be a time for that.”
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