DATE: November 10, 2025

CASE: Darin Chastain (Case #22FE016249)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Andrea Morris, Homicide Unit

On November 7, 2025, the Honorable Donald Currier sentenced Darin Chastain to 25 years to life in prison. On August 14, 2025, Chastain was convicted by jury of the first-degree murder of James Raleigh.

The 74-year-old victim went outside of his Carmichael home when he heard Darin Chastain throwing rocks at his garage. It was dark outside, so the victim was using a flashlight.  Chastain yelled and threatened neighbors as he walked up and down the street before charging at the victim and ripping the flashlight from his hands. Chastain then hit the victim in the head and mouth with the flashlight before fleeing.  The victim died about 20 minutes later from blunt force trauma and brain bleed. Chastain was located nearby with the victim’s flashlight in his pocket.