Defendant Convicted of Running Over, Killing Homeless Man

DATE: June 10, 2022

CASE: Deante Whitaker (Case #19FE016486)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Bret Wasley, Homicide Unit

Deante Whitaker was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of George Kouklis.  The jury also found true a use of deadly weapon allegation.

On August 24, 2019, Whitaker was driving on North 16^th Street by Capitol Casino when the victim, a local homeless man, walked in front of his car.  Whitaker stopped and the victim yelled at him. Whitaker then drove around the victim and proceeded to drive around the block.  When Whitaker saw the victim standing at the same intersection, he drove right into him.  The victim was launched across several lanes of traffic, suffered blunt force trauma and died the next day.  Whitaker was arrested a little over a week later after calling to report his license plates were stolen.

Whitaker faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for August 5, 2022, in Department 12 before the Honorable Maryanne Gilliard.