Bio

Alexander Hamilton was born in 1987 and grew up in California. At the age of 18, Hamilton became involved in a series of crimes that culminated in the fatal shooting of a police officer during an attempted escape following a bank robbery in Pittsburg, California. His actions resulted in one of Contra Costa County's most high-profile murder prosecutions and led to a sentence of death.

Murder Story

On April 23, 2005, Alexander Hamilton and his accomplice, Andrew Moffett, arranged for a friend to steal a vehicle that they intended to use as a getaway car. The pair then drove to a Raley's supermarket in Pittsburg, California, where they carried out an armed robbery of both the supermarket and a Wells Fargo branch located inside the store.

After obtaining cash, Hamilton and Moffett attempted to escape in the stolen vehicle. However, the getaway car crashed, forcing the two men to flee on foot toward the Delta de Anza Regional Trail.

Pittsburg Police Officer Larry Lasater responded to the robbery and pursued the suspects. During the chase, Moffett jumped over a fence and continued running. Hamilton, however, concealed himself in nearby bushes while armed with a 9mm Glock semiautomatic pistol.

As Officer Lasater approached, unaware that Hamilton was hiding nearby, Hamilton suddenly emerged from his position and opened fire. The first shot struck Lasater in the neck, causing the officer to collapse. Hamilton then continued shooting at the wounded officer. When two additional police officers rushed to assist Lasater, Hamilton fired at them as well, continuing to shoot until he exhausted his ammunition.

Officer Larry Lasater died from his injuries. Hamilton surrendered shortly afterward, while Moffett was captured by police a short time later.

Hamilton was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, multiple counts of second-degree robbery, car theft, two counts of attempted murder, and several firearm and special-circumstance allegations, including murdering a peace officer, committing murder during the commission of a robbery, and lying in wait.

On August 13, 2007, a Contra Costa County jury found Hamilton guilty on all major charges and determined that the special circumstances made him eligible for the death penalty. Less than a month later, on September 12, 2007, the jury recommended a sentence of death after deliberating for less than one day.

On November 2, 2007, Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady formally sentenced Alexander Hamilton to death. He remains incarcerated on California's death row. Although Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019, Hamilton's death sentence remains in effect.