A Solano County Superior Court judge on Wednesday sentenced a 50-year-old Vallejo man to a grand total of 115-years-to-life in prions in connection with separate murder and attempted murder cases dating back to 2018.
A previously convicted felon, Costello Blackwell was found guilty on Sept. 18, 2024, of second-degree murder for the killing of Daryl Huckaby, 47, in Vallejo.
Just before going to trial, his co-defendant in the case, Daniel Anthony Street, 40, pleaded to second-degree murder on July 17, 2024, and was later sentenced to state prison. Court records indicate Street was in the area when Huckaby was shot and killed.
Before sentencing Blackwell on Friday, Judge Jeffrey C. Kauffman denied a motion for a new trial by his attorney, Vincent Maher, who argued that the prosecution had committed an error by not allowing an SUV potentially involved in the case to be searched and examined for evidence.
He argued that the defense had requested access to forensically examine the vehicle but were told police had already released it and the vehicle was no longer in their possession. Prosecutors learned “
Deputy District Attorney Bill Ainsworth, who led the prosecution of the seven-year-old case, offered some oral arguments against the new trial motion saying there was nothing to indicate the vehicle had any evidentiary value
Judge Kauffman ruled against a new trial saying there was no theory or presentation on the “plausibility of how inspecting the vehicle would have changed the outcome” of the jury’s decision.
The sentencing in the murder case then proceeded with family of Huckaby taking turns to explain to the judge the impact of losing their loved one.
“He was my favorite nephew,” Claudette Baumgardner told the judge. “And he was a good person. He would take the shirt off his back to help someone.”
Holding back tears, she added, “Now, with the holidays coming, it’s hurting again.”
Her husband Mike Baumgardner said he felt Blackwell said life in prison is not enough. “He took the life of someone he didn’t know anything about,” he said.
“He should never see the light of day again,” said Gary Huckaby, brother of the victim. “His daughter is going to have a baby now and that kid will never know their grandfather.” Speaking to Blackwell, he added “It’s just senseless. You didn’t know my brother from Adam. You should pay the price. If I had my way it would be death penalty, life in prison isn’t enough.”
Blackwell, clad in a black-and-white-striped jail jumpsuit was quiet throughout the comments but had his attorney ask if he could address the court.
“I understand the victim’s family is angry and they should be but they should know it is misplaced. I am not the man who shot him,” he said. “That is the theory the D.A. put out and they had to go along with it. And I took the weak route, I should have taken the stand (during trial) to tell them my truth. I had nothing to do with this. I’m not the person who pulled the trigger.”
He told the judge he would “shoulder” the sentence and appeal in hopes that “the system will right itself.”
Judge Kauffman then imposed sentence in the murder case sentencing Blackwell to 45-years-to-life for the murder, a tripled sentence due to his prior convictions (or strikes) on serious cases. In addition, he received an additional 15 years for gun and other enhancements, bringing the total to 60-years-to-life.
But the sentencing continued on a second case that the judge had to re-sentence Blackwell on, following an appellate court ruling.
In March 2020, Blackwell was convicted and sentenced for trying to kill a potential witness. He received 52 years to life for attempted murder of Teiquon Cortez, 29 at the time, on Nov. 5, 2018, in Vallejo.
On appeal, the can was sent back for resentencing due to a change in law. So Judge Kaufman sentenced Blackwell in the Huckaby sentencing, he resentenced him on the attempted murder conviction giving him two 25-years-to-life sentences for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with an enhancement of 5 years for a total of 55-years-to-life in prison
Outside of the courtroom, Huckaby’s family expressed their satisfaction with the sentencings.
“As long as he doesn’t ever get out, that’s fine,” Gary Huckaby said.