Richard Hocking Appears in Court
Richard Hocking made a court appearance on Wednesday in Fremont, accompanied by his public defender. While specifics of the case were not revealed, Hocking's defender asserted that his client's actions were not malicious. More details about the charges are expected to be released as proceedings continue.
- Richard Hocking, 93, is facing a murder charge for the shooting death of his 86-year-old wife, Patty Hocking. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has also included a sentencing enhancement for the intentional use of a firearm. - The incident occurred around 12:22 a.m. on January 3, 2026, in a parking lot on Mowry Avenue in Fremont. This was the first homicide in the city for the year 2026. - After the shooting, Hocking himself called the police to report the incident and turn himself in. Officers arrived to find him by his vehicle and his wife deceased in the front passenger seat from a gunshot wound. - According to court documents and police statements, Hocking claimed the killing was "necessary" because his wife was struggling with health issues. He allegedly told investigators he had been planning it for about a month. - Neighbors reported that Richard Hocking himself has serious health concerns, including COPD, and that his wife had diabetes and other health issues. They described the couple, who had been married for 60 years, as very loving. - Hocking is being held without bail. His arraignment was scheduled to take place at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.
