OAKLAND — Despite a last-minute plea from the victim’s mother, prosecutors here have dismissed the murder case against a Richmond man accused of killing his romantic rival.

Terryan McDowell, 27, was charged Feb. 4 with murdering 42-year-old Darnell Parker at the apartment of the woman both men dated. Just six weeks after filing the charge, prosecutors dismissed it, and by then McDowell had already been granted bail.

McDowell’s lawyer called the homicide a clear case of self-defense. Parker’s mother, Kimberly Hypolite, said in court that his family was being denied justice and blamed a “biased” police investigation.

“I object, and I object for a lot of reasons. My main reason is Oakland Police Department did a very shoddy investigation,” Hypolite said in court. She later added, “My son d

See Full Page