Preliminary Hearing For Alleged Foster City Shooter

A Foster City resident charged with shooting two men near a lagoon outside his apartment in July hopes to leave jail today on reduced bail.

Jesse Wilson, 39, charged with two counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault with a firearm, will ask a judge to lower his $1 million bond during a preleminary hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. in San Mateo Superior Court in Redwood City.

During the hearing, where prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to justify a jury trial on the seven felony charges, Wilson will again argue for reduced bail. A previous request denied during an Aug. 10 court appearance. 

In a motion filed September 10, defense attorney William Locke sought a bail reduction so that Wilson, who suffers from Crohn's disease, could stay at his parent's North Bay home while awaiting trial.

Wilson is charged with shooting Steven Dimond and Anthony Cook during an altercation outside the Beach Cove Apartments on Catamaran St. just before midnight on July 9. Both Dimond and Cook were residents at the apartment complex at the time of the incident.

According to police reports, the incident began after Dimond, Cook and three women on a late-night boat ride in the lagoon caused  a noisy commotion when one of their boats capsized.

Wilson allegedly went outside his apartment with a .38 caliber revolver in response to the noise, and a physical altercation ensued.  While disagreement arises over who initiated the fight, Dimond sustained a gunshot wound to his chest and Cook was shot in the abdomen. Wilson suffered facial injuries. 

In the motion for reduced bail, Wilson's attorney claims the defendant acted in self-defense and that he suffered facial fractures, bruises and abrasions while being kicked by the group after falling down during the altercation. 

"Wilson is a thin, frail and sickly man whose health and physical condition leave him ill-equipped to defend himself, as attested from his severe injuries from a fight in which, apart from the gunshot wounds, no other participant suffered any injury beyond a foot hurt by virtue of kicking him in the head," the motion said.

Wilson holds a degree in civil engineering and environmental science from San Jose State University and has no criminal history. 

During the hearing, prosecutors are expected to capitalize on the victim's injuries and witness testimony. Dimond, whose lung collapsed from the gunshot wound, was hospitalized for four days after the incident.