SAN FRANCISCO—A San Francisco gang member who attempted to kill another city resident last year is now facing up to life in prison for his murderous crime.
20-year-old Phillip Pitney, who is a documented member of the Eddy Rock street gang, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Friday, February 26, for his role in attempting to murder San Francisco resident Ladaris Greer back in April, 2009.
“Senseless, gang-related gun violence in San Francisco will be met with the full force of the law,” said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. “Assistant District Attorney Marc Guillory and the SFPD Gang Task Force should be commended for holding the defendant responsible on every charge and allegation stemming from this cowardly attack.”
According to a press release from the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, on April 12, 2009, Greer was waiting at a bus stop on the corner of McAlister and Fillmore Street just after 9 a.m. Accompanied by an unidentified female, Pitney was walking on McAlister Street when he had spotted the victim. Pitney confronted Greer, pulled out a semi-automatic weapon and fired seven times at him.
Immediately after the Easter Sunday shooting, Pitney fled the scene to a nearby apartment complex on Golden Gate Avenue. The suspect was chased by two San Francisco firefighters, who were in the building for an unrelated medical call.
Pitney successfully escaped the scene without getting caught, but was arrested just a few days later.
Pitney was convicted and charged with attempted murder and use of a semi-automatic handgun last October, 2009. The three-week trial proceeded without Greer, who disappeared just before the start of the trial after receiving a phone call from the defense attorney’s investigator that he would possibly be arrested for appearing in court.The investigator, Steve Vender, had advised Greer that it would be a good time to visit “The Fresno Riviera.” Vender has too been charged for committing a felony.
