Malik Black, then 47, was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, and charged with murder for the death of Jessica Romich, 47, was shot and killed on Pixley Industrial Parkway in Gates, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gates homicide suspect changed his name during prison sentence for 1993 murder conviction
Attorneys for the prosecution and defense opened Tuesday with their statements providing an overview of the case at hand, before calling the first witnesses to the stand.When asked to point out the defendant, he directed the audience to Black and described the relationship the two had. He testified that Black confronted Jessica outside their business and asked for a $3,500 loan — and once she said no, he left.He said she called him around 5 p.m. and, as he answered, he heard screams coming from the other end. Before he could say anything, the line went dead.