KEITH TYRONE FUDGE | Teenage Gang Member Known As “Ace Capone” Sentenced To Death For Five Counts Of Murder And Six Charges Of Attempted Murder In An Attack Police Say Was A Revenge Raid On A Crowded Birthday Party | ALS

Keith Fudge. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Sacramento, CA. August 5, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED

Keith Tyrone Fudge, also known by his street name “Ace Capone,” was involved in a notorious criminal case that took place in Los Angeles County. He was charged with five counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder, along with various enhancement allegations and a multiple-murder special-circumstance allegation.

Background and Crimes: The charges against Fudge stemmed from a violent incident on October 12, 1984, which resulted in the deaths of Darryl Coleman, Diane Rasberry, Percy Brewer, Shannon Cannon, and Phillip Westbrook. Additionally, five other individuals were wounded in the shooting. The crimes were rooted in a longstanding feud between two major Los Angeles street gangs, the Bloods and the Crips, with Fudge being identified as one of the leaders of the Van Ness Gangsters, a sect of the Bloods.

Legal Proceedings: During the first trial, after 56 hours (about 2 and a half days) of deliberation, the jury was deadlocked, leading to a mistrial. In a subsequent retrial, the attempted murder charges were dismissed, and Fudge was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder. The jury also found true the enhancement allegations that Fudge personally used a firearm in the commission of the murders. Moreover, the jury sustained the multiple-murder special-circumstance allegation.

Penalty Phase: At the conclusion of the penalty phase of the trial, the jury determined that Fudge should receive the death penalty. This decision was affirmed upon appeal, and the guilt and penalty judgments were upheld in their entirety.

Significance: The case of Keith Tyrone Fudge is significant due to the extreme violence involved and its association with gang rivalry, which has been a persistent issue in certain areas of Los Angeles. It highlights the tragic consequences of gang warfare and the legal system’s response to such acts of violence.

The Van Ness Gangsters, also known as VNG or VNGB, are a predominantly African American street gang located on the west-side of South Los Angeles, particularly around 54th Street and Van Ness/Arlington streets. They are part of the Bloods alliance and fall under the Brim umbrella, which includes several other Blood sets. The gang has been active for several decades and is known for its involvement in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, violent crimes, and gang warfare.

Key Points about the Van Ness Gangsters:

Territory: Their territory is situated in a region that has been historically impacted by gang violence and rivalry, especially between the Bloods and Crips.

Alliances: The Van Ness Gangsters are aligned with the Brim alliance and have recently become part of the FHN alliance, which includes the Fruit Town Brims, Harvard Park Brims, and Van Ness Gangsters.

Rivalries: They have longstanding feuds with various Crip sets, and these conflicts have often resulted in violence and homicides.

Community Impact: The presence and actions of the Van Ness Gangsters have had significant social and economic impacts on the communities in which they operate, contributing to cycles of poverty and crime.

The gang’s notoriety increased following high-profile criminal cases involving their members, such as the case of Keith Tyrone Fudge, who was convicted of multiple murders in the 1980s. The Van Ness Gangsters’ activities have been documented in various media, including news articles and documentaries, which provide insights into their operations and the broader context of gang culture in Los Angeles.

For a more in-depth understanding of the Van Ness Gangsters, one could explore documentaries, academic studies on gang culture, and legal records that detail specific cases involving the gang’s members. It's important to approach such information with an understanding of the complex social dynamics that contribute to gang membership and activity.

• VIDEO: Van Ness Gangsters Rollin 50 Brim Joe Moses Gang History (Los Angeles) | https://youtu.be/0RsYGD-GNgM

• VIDEO: The Story Of How Van Ness Gangster Brim Ase Kapone Killed Hoover Crips | https://youtu.be/XfJz_9nv_ic

• VIDEO: Who Started the Bloods? | Vaness Gangster Brims | https://youtu.be/UIVmfCb-9lM

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