Hayward man convicted of murder, months after judge doubted case
Briefly

Shawn Moayer, 35, was convicted of second-degree murder after shooting Matthew Beck during an argument that involved a knife. Although a judge previously suggested a jury might acquit Moayer based on self-defense claims, jurors sided with prosecutors who argued that Beck was not an immediate threat at the time of the shooting. Moayer had threatened Beck but was not directly attacked; he retrieved a gun and shot Beck from a distance. Moayer also faced charges for possessing a firearm as a felon but was acquitted of other charges.
Witnesses testified that the argument escalated to threats, and they confirmed that Beck had a knife. However, Beck was not advancing towards Moayer at the time of the shooting.
Deputy District Attorney Margaret Watts contested the self-defense claim by stating, 'Mr. Beck did not advance on Mr. Moayer while making this threat,' disputing any imminent danger that justified the shooting.
Read at The Mercury News
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