Host Davey D speaks with Freewheelin’ Frank Sterling, Marvin Hall, Jennifer Arboleda, Melvin Wilson, and Bella Quinto on the continued fight for justice in Contra Costa County.
Antioch Under Scrutiny
Hard Knock Radio traveled to Contra Costa County to spotlight the unrest brewing in Antioch and surrounding cities. Host Davey D opened the conversation by addressing the alarming police misconduct in the region, noting:
“We’ve seen egregious killings by police… especially in Antioch and Pittsburg.”
Recent revelations have sparked outrage. Officer Andrew Hall, who was convicted for the killings of Tyrell Wilson and Laudemer Arboleda, is being released early—well before completing even half of his sentence.
Freewheelin’ Frank: “This is not acceptable.”
Freewheelin’ Frank Sterling of KPFA, who has been closely tracking these cases, said:
“We’re going to have this emergency rally… to say this is not acceptable.”
Sterling shared that only one family was notified about Hall’s early release. There was no public notice, no press, and no mention of a parole hearing.
“His name is not listed anywhere in the records,” added Bella Quinto, sister of Angelo Quinto.
A rally was scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at the Martinez Sheriff’s Office (1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA).
Marvin Hall: “He will never be able to take another life behind a badge I respected.”
Marvin Hall, a retired Orange County Sheriff’s deputy, lost his son Tyrell Wilson to Andrew Hall’s gunfire.
“Tyrell was raised to respect officers. He was a Division One prospect.”
Despite Marvin’s law enforcement background, he made it clear:
“No, I don’t think it was enough time… But at least he will never take another life behind a badge I respected.”
Jennifer Arboleda: “It’s completely devastating.”
Jennifer Arboleda lost her brother Laudemer to the same officer. She expressed the pain her family continues to endure.
“I’m still grieving… It’s just very hard.”
Jennifer was shocked that it took a second killing for Officer Hall to be prosecuted.
“Why did it take a second life for him to be prosecuted?”
She also called for an end to systemic secrecy:
“We need to end the cover-up… This sweeping under the rug has to stop.”
Bella Quinto: “A mental health crisis should not be a death sentence.”
Bella Quinto, sister of Angelo Quinto, stressed how her brother was in a mental health crisis when he was killed by police.
“It should never be a death sentence.”
She underscored the systemic failures that allowed Officer Hall to remain on the force after one fatal incident.
“Sheriff Livingston failed to find that Hall broke any policy after the first killing, which allowed him to remain on the streets and kill again.”
Bella also spoke to the troubling role of the Sheriff also serving as Coroner:
“We need a separation between the Sheriff and the Coroner. There’s too much room for bias.”
Frank Sterling: “There’s still some hope.”
Despite the grim outlook, Sterling mentioned that the Department of Justice has committed to a five-year oversight agreement with the Antioch Police.
“We’re holding out some hope… But Trump said he’d void all oversight deals. So we’ll see.”
Sterling also shared disturbing new information. An officer under investigation had allegedly shown up armed at the department, threatening the police chief—and was not arrested.
“That’s special treatment. And it’s happening at every level.”
The Bigger Picture: A Backslide in Justice
Davey D framed the broader political climate as hostile to justice. He pointed to pardons being pushed for officers involved in killings, cases being dropped by the Federal government, and the glorification of insurrectionists.
“It’s like a bizarre world. We’re living in a time where truth and justice are being flipped on their heads.”
Marvin Hall: “Good officers can’t speak out.”
Marvin highlighted the pressure good officers face.
“They want to speak out… but their livelihoods are at risk.”
He added that a key witness against Hall only testified after retirement.
“He testified because he retired. Otherwise, he couldn’t speak.”
Jennifer: “We need to end the cover-up.”
Jennifer ended with a powerful call to action:
“These are lives. He’s taken two already. We need to stop the cover-up.”
Bella Quinto: “We have to keep going.”
Bella reflected on legislative victories won by families like hers. Her advocacy helped pass AB 490 (banning positional asphyxia) and AB 360 (ending the use of “excited delirium”).
“It’s an uphill battle. Billionaires are throwing rocks from the top. But we have to keep going.”
She concluded:
“We must keep coming together and speaking the truth.”
Final Word: Show Up, Stand Up
Frank Sterling had the last word:
“If we believe what’s happening is wrong, we can’t let these families face this alone.”
He called on the community to stand with the families of Tyrell Wilson, Laudemer Arboleda, and Angelo Quinto.
“They need people to stand alongside them. Support means showing up.”
Rally Reminder
Location: Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA
Time: Friday at 1 p.m.
Follow Updates: Justice for Angelo Quinto on social media
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.