RON FREITAS
District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney
Protecting our community for 175 Years
Protecting our community for 175 Years
Ronald J. Freitas is the 42nd District Attorney to lead San Joaquin County’s chief law enforcement agency. This administration maintains a zero-tolerance approach to prosecuting criminals, working with local, state, and federal partners to create a safe and secure San Joaquin County for everyone.
"The mission of the District Attorney's Office is to bring justice and closure to victims of crime."
“True public safety requires a collaboration
between law enforcement and the community.” - Betsy Hodges
District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that a San Joaquin County jury found defendant Wesley Brownlee competent to stand trial on six counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and related special circumstances allegations stemming from the 2021–2022 Stockton serial killings.
“This verdict confirms what the evidence has shown all along: Wesley Brownlee is competent to stand trial,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas. “After years of delay, the victims’ families and this community deserve their day in court. We are ready to proceed and will continue to fight for justice for the victims and the survivor, Natasha LaTour. These were horrific crimes that terrorized our community, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
The prosecution was led by Deputy District Attorney Elton Grau, with support from paralegal Michelle Vargas. The office also thanks Chief Stanley McFadden and the Stockton Police Department for their investigation.
With this finding, the case can now proceed to trial.
The defendant's next scheduled court date is November 2, 2026 at 1:30 PM in Department 9B.
A Family Justice Center is a collaborative model of service delivery that brings together a range of resources and support services under one roof to better serve victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault, Elder Abuse, Child Abuse, and Stalking.
The goal of a Family Justice Center is to provide comprehensive and coordinated support to individuals and families affected by abuse, helping them to feel safe and supported as they navigate the process of seeking help and rebuilding their lives.
Visit the Family Justice Center