OAKLAND — A city resident has been charged with murder in connection with a disturbing incident that involved an assailant pouring accelerant onto an occupied parked car, lighting it on fire, and running away, court records show.
Gerome Lamb, 44, of Oakland, was charged last month with murder and arson in the death of 30-year-old Ardany Martin, who was killed Sept. 15, court records show. Police said at the time that Martin was inside a Honda SRV that was parked in a lot in the 1400 block of 35th Avenue when another man poured an accelerant into a partially opened window, lit it on fire, and ran away.
Martin’s body was discovered with severe burns. He was pronounced dead later that day at a hospital, police said.
Lamb was arrested Nov. 1. Police haven’t revealed how he was identified as a suspect nor if they were able to uncover the suspected motive. Lamb has pleaded not guilty and is still waiting for a preliminary hearing, where a judge will review the evidence against him and determine if it is sufficient to uphold the charges.
Lamb remains in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, where he’s being held without bail, court records show.
