Peninsula man loses appeal in East Bay double-murder car crash

An appeals court has upheld the double-murder conviction of Michael Verette, a 34-year-old man from South San Francisco, who is currently serving a sentence of 45 years to life at North Kern State Prison. Verette was convicted for the deaths of 52-year-old Tyra Ann Chappell and her 76-year-old husband, Frederic Chappell, following a fatal wrong-way crash on Interstate 80.

The tragic incident occurred when the Chappells were driving eastbound in their Toyota pickup truck and were struck by Verette's Chevy Trailblazer, which he had been driving in the wrong direction after fleeing from police. Reports indicate that he had sped past a California Highway Patrol vehicle and then reversed his direction, leading to the collision. Witnesses reported Verette stating he wasn't going back to jail before the crash.

Verette's legal troubles were compounded by a troubling history of driving offenses, including 11 prior convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license and three incidents involving attempts to evade police. His defense claimed that the prosecution was "overcharging" him, arguing for instructions on involuntary manslaughter offenses to the jury. However, these claims were rejected by the appellate court.

Prosecutor Derek Butts emphasized that the case met the criteria for second-degree murder, dismissing the defense’s contention that the crash was merely an accident. The jury's unanimous agreement, along with the affirmation from three appellate justices, reinforced the severity of Verette's actions. In Contra Costa County, dangerous driving behavior that results in fatalities can lead to murder charges.

As a result of the court’s decision, Verette will not be eligible for parole until 2049, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the impact on the victims' families.